The Puffer Forum

recently began (fishless) cycling my 6 gallon tank. I am planning on getting a singe figure 8 puffer. I have found that many places on the internet report conflicting info on these fish. some places say they are brackish, others say fresh.. some say they get only 2-3 inches, other say 6+ inches.

What info is correct?

How long do you want the puffer to live? In FW they will live several years, but be subject to eye and skin infections. In light BW they will live to the mid-teens.

Count on ~3".

Welcome to TPF! It's good that you are gathering information and cycling the tank prior to making a purchase.

Recommended reading: Figure Eight Puffers: A Great Small Brackish Fish, written by RTR.

There is a mess of conflicting information on Figure 8s not only on the net but also in print and in respected books (Baensch, etc.).

However, RTR who did quite a few studies, and Dr. Ebert (did I spell that right? I'm too lazy to check), both feel light BW is best for their health...and it hard to argue with RTR's observation of 6ish years vs. mid teens.

Eric

thanks so much for the info everyone, i really appreciate it. I have been preparing a long time for this.. I have been raising pond snails for a few months, and researching a lot!

I am definatly setting up a brackish tank, but I am not sure how brackish to make it.. does any one know?

AS well, is my tank size good for one figure 8? It's a 6 gallon eclipse.

It's great that you're doing research. The SG range is 1.005ish to 1.008 for figure 8s.

However, I do think 6 gallons is too small. I'd be thinking two FW dwarf puffers for a tank that size. I think a 10 gallon is the smallest tank I'd keep a single figure 8 in, and you'll need to stay on top of water changes in a 10.

Eric

Thanks for that info. I am very dilligent with gravel cleaning and water changes, at least once a week I do them in my current tanks. I as well have a betta tank which needs to be cleaned 2 times a week.. so cleaning will not be an issue. If i keep up on keeping the tanks clean, will it be such an issue?

Yes. It is unheathy to restrict the movment as well as the water volume of puffers. They are intelligent, inquisitive fish and require a visually complex and interesting environment. If you tank size is inadequate, don't get or keep the fish. Select something else that you can house properly.

The DP suggestion is a good one. They too are interesting active fish, but 1/3 the size and a smaller fraction of the mass of F-8s, plus they can be tank bred.

what is the smallest a F8 can fit in then? I have multiple tanks..

10 gallons is the smallest, but 15 or 20 is ideal.

well I have a 10 gallon as well that will soon be empty..

the 6 gallon is nearly as wide as the 10 however.. I know the amount of water makes a difference, but the area in it isn't much different..

If i can get the 10 gallon emptied in time, my pffer will go in that, if not, it will temporarily have to go in the 6. I got my LPS to order it for sept. so i cant really go back on my order and tell them i dont want it.

As long as you have the 10, I think the puffer could be in the 6 for a brief period of time. You could instantly cycle the 10 with biospira that folks here talk about and just go with that.

What is the floor measurement of your 6 gallon tank? With matters less than length which I'm pretty sure should be nearly double in a 10 vs. a 6 gallon tank.

Jayhawk wrote:As long as you have the 10, I think the puffer could be in the 6 for a brief period of time. You could instantly cycle the 10 with biospira that folks here talk about and just go with that.

What is the floor measurement of your 6 gallon tank? With matters less than length which I'm pretty sure should be nearly double in a 10 vs. a 6 gallon tank.

Unfortunatly, we dont have biospira here, so I have to resort to a good ol fishless cycle.

My 6 gallon tank is actually more wide than tall, so its maybe 6-8 inches less wide than my 10 gallon. It's very similar in legnth. I dont have the exact measurments as I am away from home for a week or so.

You don't have all your tank measurements memorized?

Just kidding...

Eric

Nah..sack the 6 gallon, put him in the 10. Are you UK or US gallon?
Pami.