The Puffer Forum

Just a question,

My 2 Salivators are living a rather lovely and peacefull life together, male and female still share food etc and nap together. (even though he is now nearly twice her size)

What i was wondering was would they tolerate, nae live with a plec, coolie loaches or any other bottom feeding fish....or am i deluding myself thinking that...Although there must be something out there they live with in the wild?

Naturally they share their habitat with other fish in the wild but there is the abilty to swim off and avoid conflict if need be. Fish in tanks cannot do this. I would probably not want to upset the balance, why do you want another fish in with them anyway? I wouldn't put Kuhli Loaches in with any puffer as they burrow into the substrate and this is where puffers look for food. The loaches could run the risk of getting snacked on I think

Fella used fast moving dither fish in his Salivator tank with some success as tankmates.

As for the bottom feeders you can only really try and find out. I would have thought a Plec would be your best bet to try as a potential bottom feeder tankmate. If any aggression is shown to it take it out.

I might try one of my Bristlenoses in a clear breeding trap and see how it goes before i even try letting him loose in the tank. Last thing i want is to let the chap go then he gets shredded :/

Good plan, also a day where you have plenty of time to observe might be a good idea so you can keep an eye on them if they ignore him in the breeding trap and you decide to try him in the tank.

Good idea there

Mine happily cohabit with a bristlenose. He's more boisterous than they are.

Are you putting more fish in the 65litre?

Yer the idea is to put a smallish Plec in to scavange remains of bloodworm etc.

Ok, well lets just say that never went to well, Ive never actually seen a Puffer try and eat through Tupperware tub before

Guess he will be a solo event for the rest of his life

I'd be worried about the bristlenose's little bristles being mistaken for worms. Maybe put in a minimally-bristled female?

It never got that far lol

As soon as he saw movement in the tub floating in the tank he was trying to eat through it lol

Evil little bugger

I'm seriously considering trading mine in, he's just too boring on his own and I can't justify dropping a load of cash on several females any more.

Mine has taken up residence in a cave under a piece of wood lol...i love him to bits

Hilly wrote:I'm seriously considering trading mine in, he's just too boring on his own and I can't justify dropping a load of cash on several females any more.

Thats interesting actually Hilly, I would love another puffer, in another tank and would really like a Lurker puffer but when I consider the joy I get from Clooney I'm not sure I would get much out of a hiding fish, if you catch my drift.