The Puffer Forum

Okay, I'm new, but I've been wandering around to DP forum for a couple months now, and sadly, i JUST found this forum!

I started out with GSP, not knowing what I was getting into, and they died.

Another story, I now have a happy little 10 gal tank with 2F and 1M DPs [two otos and a surviving "live food" baby guppy]. They get snails whenever I find them in my other tanks. But now it's not enough! I want more! D: I want more puffers. I don't know what I should to though, Cause I don't have money to get a 30 gal, which I want for maybe some SAP's, I really like those guys.

I don't know, I just want more, but don't have money. Though say I did have money, any suggestions? Whats a min. Tank size for a Fahaka maybe? Or maybe, I should try GSP's again, now that I know what to do, maybe it would be a good thing to work my way up to taking care of a marine aquarium? Or should I wait? D: lol sorry for rambling, I'm just kind of excited to find another puffer forum =]

Welcome. Minimum tank for a fahaka is 120 gallons. GSPs require 30 gallons each and are high end brackish, so you'll need a hydrometer or refractometer and marine salt. And yes, you should wait until you can properly house and care for them. Its hard, we've all been there, but its the best thing for them. Oh, and DPs aren't piscavores, they shouldn't be fed live fish either.

Thanks for the info. I have realized since my first GSP's what kind of requirements they need. When I start to move up to a marine aquarium though, would they be an okay fish to work my way up with?

And SAP's? What would be requirements for 2, maybe 3 of those?

Edit: If I had the stuff, are Fahakas hard to take care of? I know they can't be with any other fish, but on a level of difficulty to take care of.

Seem very easy and rewarding from what I have seen, just need a ton of space and those huge tanks need huge water changes.

Fahakas are easy to care for and are like swimming puppy dogs. I don't recommend them for anyone unless you have a large enough tank for them as adults, though, as they grow quite fast.

Yes, a GSP is a good intro to marine tanks, as it gets you used to mixing and measuring the salt mixture at various specific gravities.

I would agree that GSP's are a good intro and something to look into, though a 55gal would probably be in order for 2 or 3 max, but they have about the best personality of the puffers (which already have nearly the best personality of any fish). They are always always always active and paying attention to their owners or passerbys they are fun to watch and dont require any extreme dentistry or special care, besides the salt/brackish water. I would try a few of these guys and see how you like doing water changes on that before you start off with a 120gal for a Fak..

A 55g is not sufficient for 3 GSPs. Its barely workable for 2. And I would definitely disagree about them having the best personality of puffers.

Boxermom wrote:A 55g is not sufficient for 3 GSPs. Its barely workable for 2. And I would definitely disagree about them having the best personality of puffers.

Ya i guess your right about the size.... I guess i would like to think a 55 would be big enough, but prolly not when they get to be 6", and i guess i dont really know much about other puffers cause ive only experienced DP's and GSP's so i prolly shouldnt have added that input....just curious which do you think have the 'best' personalities??

mojoevanilla wrote:just curious which do you think have the 'best' personalities??

Porcs, IME, hands down.

Out of all of the ones I've had, fahakas are the most personable IMO.

Boxermom wrote:Out of all of the ones I've had, fahakas are the most personable IMO.

I would have to agree..... with everything Ive researched and all the countless videos and trips to ALL the fish stores in the area.... I think that the Fahakas are definitely the dream puffer for anyone, and
being that there FW is even more of a dream come true for most. But due to the size of tank that they need, plus the massive filtrations system they need the cost for keeping this fish is just not practical for most people. Not to mention doing a 50gallon water change every week haha but as for the 'more'practical puffers IMO GSP's are one of the best

They don't need massive filtration systems and once the tank is set up, upkeep costs are minimal. I have a 125g tank that I bought for $400, which included the wood stand, and it has a large HOB on one side and a canister filter on the other. I also have a powerhead because he likes a lot of water movement. Doing a water change once a week takes me less than a half hour, and I have to schlep 5 gallon buckets back and forth as I don't have the facilities to use a Python with. Oh, and I have a bad back and medical conditions that cause severe fatigue.

I love my GSP, he's quite adorable, but I'd have to say dwarf puffers have more personality, pound for pound. And Justin, my palembang, has huge puppydog eyes and a personality to match. I'm not saying GSPs aren't great, they are, but there are others with just as much, if not more, personality.

in a 30 gallon, you could also have an abei puffer, brown puffer, or 2 figure 8 puffers. i'm still trying to decide which species i would want for my 28 gallon. any suggestions? which ones have more personality?

if you save your money (don't know if you already do?), you might be able to get a 30 gallon kit soon. or you could look into used tanks.

I am saving. I should be getting 40-50$ on the 15th. and hopefully getting a job soon, at a fish store no less :'D

Whats an abei puffer?