The Puffer Forum

Hello, I am new to this forum and puffers. I have been reading about and thinking about a fahaka puffer for some time. The general consensus seems to be that they must be solitary. I was wondering if provided enough space would you be able to cohab them with another fish? I was think of a tank of at least 240 gallons and the tankmates being something like a big arow, datnoid, pbass, or cichlid. What do you guys think? Is it impossible even if the tankmates are bigger?

Just like any other puffer, it is hit or miss with tankmates. I have GSPs , figure eights and a target puffer, and the only one who doesn't like tankmates is the target. I have kept mine with other fish wit no problem, but I know there is always the chance that I might wake up and find them in pieces. I also dream of having a fahaka, if only I had room for just ONE more tank I would bring Smoochie home just like that... Shes a beaut.

I doubt my fahaka would allow any tankmates regardless of the size of the tank. I have trouble putting new decorations in his tank without him biting them. But you could get a fahaka that would allow tankmates.

My fahaka doesn't touch any of its tankmates, and is so tame it is unbelievable.

Unless you purchase a proven "nice" adult fahaka, you have about a 90% chance of a juvie growing up to be a killer. Even my mellow-fellow, Filbert, has eaten a few of his tank mates & they were fast-moving fish, like tiger barbs & rainbowfish. I don't think tank size will matter.

Mine was able to be touched as a juvie in the LFS. It came up to their hands, slowly, and wouldn't bite.

Basically it depends on the individual?

It can but a high percentage of these puffers lean towards killers.

What about a Mbu? Can they be cohab'd with more ease? Provided a huge tank...

Still depends on the fish but they are not known as killers, as badly as the fahaka. Any puffer can become a killer at any time though!

as stated by others not many will get away with tank mates with a fahaka, i know mine have been killers from 1"

It heavily depends on the fish, as their behaviour can vary a lot. But from I own experience, I would not recommend it.
My Fahaka is very tame with me and allows me to touch him all the time but he will tolerate no other fish in his 120 gallon tank. He will hunt everything that moves, be it smaller or bigger. There are currently 2 yoyo loach with him, which I haven't managed to pull out of the tank. He hasn't managed to eat them, since they are way too fast for him and know how to take good cover, but he's always trying to get them.
I'd definately suggest to keep this speciments single no matter what the tank size is. Unless you have a big tank and are willing to risk introducing some really fast swimmers and provide them with many hiding places.

I have a 2,5 year old Fahaka with 8 chrossocheilus Siamensis and 3 Horse-Faced Loaches, a pleco and 2 black mollies with him.
Only the 3 loaches he pursues, but these are too fast for him. He nipped some fins of the pleco but now the pleco knows not to be near his "hole". He is not interested in the rest of the fish.
I had a platydoras with him but he de-tailed and decapitated him leaving the rest floating as sushi.

In the end he chose his own mates by leaving them alive

Jeexl wrote:I have a 2,5 year old Fahaka with 8 chrossocheilus Siamensis and 3 Horse-Faced Loaches, a pleco and 2 black mollies with him.
Only the 3 loaches he pursues, but these are too fast for him. He nipped some fins of the pleco but now the pleco nows not to be near his "hole". He is not interested in the rest of the fish.
I had a platydoras with him but he de-tailed and decapivated him leaving the rest floating as sushi.

In the end he chose his own mates by leaving them alive

what size tank are they all in?

It's a tank of 160 Lx 80 Dx 60 H about 750 liters, but you probably want to know gallons... searching