The Puffer Forum

Have 65G standard. Previously a Piranha owner, want to get out of that (THEY ARE BORING ) Anyways suggest to me a good Puffer/Puffers for my tank! I was thinking a small fahaka for a while then upgrading or getting a new one once it gets big, any other suggestions would be great thanks!

I don't recommend fahakas unless you have a full size tank for them, as they grow pretty fast and can get stunted easily because of that. Are you looking for just freshwater or considering brackish and/or marine as well? Take a look at our Pufferpedia and see what strikes your fancy, then check and see what is available in your area.

Definitely agree that it is best to get their final home and not doing upgrades as you go.

Don't really want to consider Brackish or Marine setups, but i MAY if i have to. Reason is i have a fully planted aquarium with CO2 injection 2.5wpg the whole nine yards, and the salt will kill all that (and waste all the money i spent on everything ) So just curious as to freshwater mostly. I MAY get a brackish puffer but still uncertain as to what. Getting whatever i want is not an issue, as my LFS will special order in fish for me (as long as its not SUPER rare or something). So any suggestions as to what would be a cool decent sized puffer that gets no bigger than like...8 or so inches would be sweet!! I want a puffer

Again, depends on what you have available to you. Also depends on what activity/interactive level you want. A palembangensis would be great in that size. Mine is very interactive but not terribly active. Most of the larger size freshwater puffers commonly available are lurkers, I think. Alternatively, you could have a small swarm of SAPs, which are very active. Or a large swarm of DPs, which are also very active, if tiny.

beautiful puffer that one is! Just really looking into something a little more active, thats why im getting out of Piranhas. Watching a fish just sit there and do nothing is not fun

Lurkers have their charms, too. I have a turgidus that likes to inflate and bob around in the current like a tea bag when no one is watching (or when he thinks no one is watching). A small school of SAPs would be nice. They aren't too small, get about 3" or so, and are quite active. Just be sure you read the dentistry article. Or a large school of dwarves, which are much smaller, is always cool. Someone on another forum has I believe a 90g tank with a very large swarm of DPs. The pictures look amazing. Honestly though, I can't think of another larger size freshwater puffer that's very active and easily obtainable. Maybe someone else can recommend one. Knowing your location might help.

If you want active then Figure8's are probably one of the most active. But you said you didnt really want Bracksih....other than that im sure Rocker has mentioned in the past his Palambeng was active....not sure if its a trait or just a one off though.

Aside SAPs and lurkers what about an Auriglobus sp.? Not really 8 inches maximum, rather something up to 6 inches, but can be very active, especially when young. Can be aggressive and might not accept any tankmates at all when adult, though.

I would not put more than one Auriglobus in a tank, and wouldn't put it with anything else. IME, they are very aggressive with conspecifics and others.

RTR did say that if introduced as juvies together, they should get along. Just don't add another later. I can attest to that one...

My auriglobus is a big sissy and shares a tank with a school of barbs and a baby guppy. I decided to try adding a few fish when he didn't ever touch the guppy fry or the lone rescued tiger barb, and so far all is well. Heck the barbs are more aggressive at feeding time than Shamus is!

I would choose the SAP's, they are extremely active, will love the planted tank and I've seen some grown to pretty dang large sizes when given enough room and not stunted. The dentistry issue is their major downfall.

Modestus would be risky.. they would be beautiful, that's for sure, but they are so darn agressive usually. Irrubescos or Salvidors would work, but they are rare, I have only seen them once, over the last 8 years or so. Wish I had bought them...

My Salivator wont share a tank with anything :/

its a royal pain in the butt!

What about a ceylon?