Tetraodon Abei

[STAVROS]

Hi, I'm new to puffers and have seen some Abei's. Can anyone give me a few pointers on keeping these lovely puffers.

Can they be kept in a 72" community tank?

How many could I keep?

Preferred water conditions?

All I seem to be able to find on them is that they are from the Mekong area and that they grow to about 4"

Any other info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance Stav

[Rocker]

Most certainly not in a community tank. They are best kept alone. Very aggressive puffers. Similar temperment to T. lineatus. Very active, hunter.

[Hilly]

Community, not a chance mate. Aggressive little sods and like Rocker says active hunters.

Can be quite shy one minute and the next trying to attack me through the glass. A small but perfectly formed bundle of puffer fury.

Mines in a 2ft freshwater tank with lots of plants, some rocks and a piece of bogwood which he uses as his stalking point.

PH is about 6.5
I do at leat a 50% water change a week but most of the time its more like 70% to get rid of all the mess.

He seems happy enough in there.

[Woland]

I tried to keep two specimens together.
Very bad idea...

[Rocker]

Hilly - Like the 'puffer fury'

[Hilly]

Puffer Fury suits them well mate.

[STAVROS]

Thanks for the quick replies, glad I didn't buy them. Can anybody suggest a more suitable species to keep? Preferably one which you can keep more than one of, and would be a good species to start with.

[Hilly]

Well there are a few options for keeping more than one.

You could keep a group of Dwarf puffers (2-3 females to 1 male)

A pair of Red Tailed Red Eye Puffers

South American Puffers can be kept in groups if you have the space but be prepared for some puffer dentistry as their teeth grow fast.

Figure 8 Puffers are gorgeous and if you have the tank size you could have a few but they require brackish water conditions.

I would forget about other tankmates though as it just complicates matters when you're starting out with puffers. All puffers are predators and they may not take a liking to other tankmates. Also other tankmates can upset your puffer and they feel intimidated

I don't think an Abei is a bad puffer to start out with mine is my first and currently only puffer and its been a learning curve but well worth it. If you can afford a new tank and setup adequate to his needs I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Just out of interest, how much were they going for at the shop?

[STAVROS]

Hilly - They were priced at £6.99 each I saw them at an Lfs in Armley (Leeds) which used to be called The Living World. The shop has since changed owners and been renamed. Livestock and general conditions are much improved. How does the price compare?

[Hilly]

Mine cost me £18 mate, or it was over £50 for 3. If they are an Abei thats a bargain price.

[Phaedrus]

I'm curious. Stavros, did they look like the puffers in this thread? http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/vie ... php?t=4297

[STAVROS]

They were labeled as Red Leopard Puffers and then underneath it had T.Abei. They had about 10 and they looked like the photos I've seen on here.

[Rocker]

Mine cost me £18 mate, or it was over £50 for 3. If they are an Abei thats a bargain price.

I think your price £18 was a little over priced. Having said that I bet I can guess where they came from. if I am right then the shop is very expensive and I have seen some rip off prices there.

[Hilly]

No names Rocker but you know where they came from.

Just out of interest what would be a reasonable price for one?

[Rocker]

I am very disappointed with store now. I think it was last week that Fella posted the price the irrubesco were going for. Very high considering what they buy them in at.

For mine I paid £10 and I could have got 2 for £15