The Puffer Forum

I've been talking about getting a puffer for a while now...preferably C. irrubesco, and I was wondering since you need to over-filter, how would I go about doing that? Is it simply over cleaning or do I have to add any separate filtration system than my current filter in my 10g?

Just add a seperate filter and do about 50% water changes a week. Another HOB filter on your 10 would be sufficient, or you could put an internal fluval.

so two separate filters and some water changes? Got it.

Yup. Thats all you have to do. How many are you looking to put in that 10 gallon?

one I think. Two is first, too much for the little tank, and two, i heard that pair (male and female) fight alot unless it's in groups of three (1 male:2 females)

I havn't had a problem with my pair But they are in a heavily planted 30 long with other puffs.

Snails, freeze dried krill, and blackworms? Possible some ghost shrimp now and then? How does that sound?

I just don't know yet... I really want one so I anticipate a change of mind. The red tailed red eye seems good so I'll see if it all works out. If I feed a single red tailed red eye puffer in the 10g, two filters as required, could I get away with feeding he/she a full meal of snails once or twice a month? Also, if I heavily plant my 10g, could I get a male and female (5g for each puffer)? Also, what plants do you plant your tank with (which ones would you recommend that are cheap). With plants, I heard gravel is fine but how do I go about planting them? Do I need any special lighting, water, or tank care?

So, have you gone ahead and gotten a pair of irrubescos?

Not much point in giving advice since you've gotten them anyhow.

However, having said that - I have tried the male and female irrubesco pair in a 10 gallon. It is too small a tank...they will search each other out and generally be confrontational with each other which will result in death from injury or from stress.

Just my own experience. Your luck may vary - but hopefully you have a backup plan incase they do not get along.

CFP, he only is getting one of them--doesn't have it yet. Please read closer, before criticizing.

Yea, but is it okay if I feed a single irrubesco snails once or twice a month?

If you can feed him snails more than once or twice a month it would be better for his teeth, he will need to regularly dine on the snails to have any affect on tooth growth. If this isn't possible for you at the moment its better than nothing. Some of your other foods will go some way to wearing down his teeth.

I had setup a snail breeding tank but attempt 1 was a disaster and got wiped out so I need to try again.

Thankfully my puffers teeth don't seem to grow at all and his favourite food, chopped mussel seems to keep it under control at the moment.

Hope everything goes well when you finally take the plunge and get your puffer.

My apologies. I thought pics were posted of puffers in the photo section...but its just the tank with some guppies?

Yea, and thanks for the tips...I hope breeding the snails in a 5g or 6g would suffice for a single Red tail red eye, do you think?

Yes, after about a month or two, a 5g snail breeder tank, if properly maintained, should provide ample snails for a single puffer. Enough to feed several snails a few times each week.

There are a few threads about starting up a snail breeding tank and even some guides in the library.