New here with a question regarding tank size.

[Britfish]

Good evening (00:43 here in the UK). I've got a question that I've not been able to find the answer to online so figured this would be the place to find that answer.

Now first thing's first. The aquarium I've got is too small I know that. It's a Fluval Flex 2.0 16g/57l. Basically a 40cm cube. I didn't get the aquarium to get a freshwater puffer. I just wanted a small aquarium that a bucket could pretty much be the water change. I didn't have a fish in mind.

Now, the ambush puffers, particularly the arrowhead/pignose and the hairy puffer. From what I've seen, especially the arrowhead they pretty much hide and wait. They're not exactly swimmers like the spotted congo puffer for example.

Now here's my question. Why do they need a 40g breeder if they are quite sedentary? Is it the volume of water they need due to their diet and waste? I just don't get it and as stated can't find an answer.

Thank you in advance.

[Pufferpunk]

I would go with a Congo puffer (miurus), they don't get as large as the hairy, pignose or humpback. I did keep one in a 15g tank.

[Britfish]

See post below.

[Britfish]

Thank you very much for the reply and information Puffer Punk.

Due to my long and clumsy post it seems I've caused confusion. I wasn't looking for advice on a suitable puffer for my aquarium (although I'm grateful and will look into those, thanks again) it was just about a very sedentary puffer needing a 40g breeder.

I just can't find the information online that specifically covers it and I'm inquisitive. I can only assume it's not the actual physical size of the aquarium but the volume of water it holds to stabilise the parameters but that's just a guess.

[Pufferpunk]

Puffers are messy eaters.

[Britfish]

Thank you very much Puffer Punk.

You really have opened my eyes with the potato puffer. I’ve seen they enjoy insects. I breed roaches and have meal worms and mario worms (super giant).

What I love about the Fluvel Flex 16g is everything is hidden in the back. Heater, pump and air stones. Plus it has loads of room for biological filtration. I’ve got 1kg of bio home ultimate and almost a 1kg of bio home gravel. That’s enough to completely cycle 100 litres of water (Ammonia, nitrite AND nitrate). So filtration isn't a problem. Obviously the aquarium size is.

Thank you very much once again.

[Pufferpunk]

You're very welcome!

[bengo]

I have a hairy puffer in a 40g breeder with an internal sump that takes up about two inches on one side. A couple of reasons to want a 40g for freshwater puffers these sizes:
1- Water stability is by far the most beneficial. Puffers are messy eaters and don't like big water quality swings. The larger the volume of water the more forgiving should something happen to cause a quality swing.
2- Living space. While ambush puffers are sedentary, that doesn't meant they want to be in the same spot all the time. While he does sleep in generally the same spot when the lights go out the rest of the day he finds multiple spots to lounge.
3- Room to change the environment. Puffers are curious and get bored if they see the same things over and over. When I first got mine I kept the environment the same. After a couple months I would catch him glass surfing. The moment I rearranged the driftwood and trimmed the plants he stopped. Now every 3-4 months I rotate driftwood/rocks/plant location to create a different looking habitat. A tank the size of a 40 gives plenty of room to work with. I haven't seen him glass surf in years doing so.
4- They don't only stay on the bottom. When I first got him I assumed they stayed on the bottom as well. Like the picture shows below, one of his favorite spots is sitting in the plants so I am glad there is room up in the tank.

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