The Puffer Forum

I have been researching (somewhat obsessively) about puffers for the last week. Today I finally went and saw puffers in the pet shop. They had figure 8s, green spotted puffers, and a kind the simply called "true freshwater puffer". It was not the dwarf puffer, it was about the same size (1") as the figure 8s and seemed to be more slender than the others, not spotted that I noticed, and it appeared to be peaceful. If I remember correctly it was darker colored. Any ideas on what type of puffer this was? I would really like to purchase it, but am afraid to without knowing exactly what kind it is, because I want to be able to care properly for him. I have a 10G tank that I have been cycling for about a week. I don't plan to add a puffer until after the Christmas holidays. At the moment I have three plants and a rock piece with holes for hiding in. I am using 3 tiger barbs to help cycle the tank (the man at the pet store sold me on them, even though I have heard puffers are aggressive, he told me they would survive with a puffer- any opinions?? There are 3 of them- is there safety in numbers?) Anyways, any advice for a beginner puffer owner is greatly appreciated!!!!! I am especially interested in where to find snails and other shellfish/crustaceans that I can feed to my puff.

Thanks!

~Beth~

Your best bet is to look in the PufferPedia, our encyclopedia of puffer species (link is at the top of the page).

Check first under freshwater puffers, but stores are notorious for not knowing the proper conditions for keeping any species of puffer at all, so don't be surprised if it isn't under freshwater.

And a "peaceful" puffer is very rare, no matter what the species... be cautious there.

As far as tiger barbs are concerned.. unless kept in groups of say 6 or more they can be pretty nippy, nasty fish. 3 of them will probably gang up on any other fish you put in there, inculding a puffer. It would be pretty risky in my opinion, either the puffer will take chomps out of them or they'll harrass it and beat it to most of the food. It "might" work out, but it would be very risky.

Where most are mistaken on cycling with fish--the fish you are cycling with, are producing enough bacteria to support them--ONLY. Add another fish & there is not enough bacteria to support the extra waste. You must remove the existing fish to have enough bacteria to support the new one. I would definately find out what species the puffer is, before buying it.

There are very few puffers that could live out their life in a 10g tank. Try going over to the shop, take a pic & post it here for us to ID.