The Puffer Forum

Hello people!
I currently have a 15G freshwater tank who's inhabitants comprise of 1 f-8 puffer named Bob and 2 ghost shrimp (brutus and squirt). I know that ghost shrimp are actually fed to puffers for a treat but my two were in the tank before Bob and hold their own very well! He stays well away from them as there has been many a fracas involving Bob having a go and learning the hard way not to mess around with the long standing residents! hehe!
Anyway, i discovered that the tank has a mild case of white spot and i've been treating with higher temps (around 84) and salt. It's working, but i was wondering, as it seems from many sources that bob would be better of with a little salt in his life, whether i should make this tank brackish for his health and longevity? What kind of salt should i be using to add to the the tank? Also, does anyone know if plants can withstand the salt water in general? I'd like to think so, as he loves to hide behind them and bite chunks out of them. (Although, i'd prefer he actually ate them..He just chews them up and spits em out!! grrr!) and i also like having plants in the tank!
Thanks alot!
Felix

Hi, welcome to the puffer forum!

Yes, F8's are a brackish fish. Click the link for more information. http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/ug. ... ocellatus/

Not too many plants will hold up in brackish though, I've heard java moss/fern can withstand a bit of salt.

To make the tank brackish, you should use marine salt (Instant ocean, kent etc).

Welcome to the forum

Puffers are a little more awkward to treat for white spot than other fish, unfortunately, because they're particularly sensitive to water conditions (temp, etc) and are scaleless so medication is not really an option I'd recommend without offering a warning.

I think there's some articles on here about dealing with ich when it comes to puffers:
http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/lib ... h/#more-87

Also, while your ghost shrimp may be holding their own with your puffer pal right now, chances are he will find a way

Brackish means marine salt. There's a great article in the library about the care of Figure 8s. They seem to do best in an SG of 1.005-1.008.

All these plants will tolerate a salinity of 1.005 or lower:

Java Moss
Java Fern
Micro Sword
Glosso
African Tiger Lotus
Moss Balls
Moneywort
Vallisneria
Watersprite
Cryptocoryne ciliata
Onion Plant (Crinum species)
Hygrophila Species
Wendt Crypt (Cryptocoryne wendtii)
Banana Plant (Nymphoides aquatica)
Anacharis (Egeria densa)
Parrot Feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum
Carolina Fanwort (Cabomba carolina)
Mexican Oak leaf (Shinnersia rivularis)
Widgeon Grass

And all these will tolerate a salinity of 1.010 or lower:

Java Fern
Java Moss
Moss Balls
Anacharis
Cryptocoryne ciliata