F8 In Freshwater

[dpcamp]

I just realized my spotted puffer is actually an F8 puffer. I've had him in a freshwater tank for the last 2 months and have read about a dozen articles that are split down the middle on whether this is a brackish or freshwater fish. He seems fine in the tank, but if he needs to be put in a brackish water tank, what does it take to do a conversion? so i gradually up the salinity? or do i do it all at once?

 

[nmonks]

Tetraodon biocellatus is unquestionably a freshwater fish in the wild; however, under aquarium conditions, perhaps because of ambient pH changes or nitrate concentrations, it equally clearly does better in brackish water.

The amount of salt doesn't matter much. I'd recommend acclimating your tank to SG 1.003 over the next few weeks. Simply remove 25% of the freshwater each week, and replace with SG 1.003 water. After a month or so, you should have a safely adjusted brackish water aquarium! No stress on the plants or filter. If you want, you can adjust the salinity up to SG 1.005, but it isn't really necessary, particularly if your water has lots of carbonate hardness and you keep the water quality good through regular water changes.

The puffer itself can adjust to rapid salinity changes very easily, so don't worry about him.

Cheers, Neale

 

[airmike89]

ive had a figure 8 in fw for about 7months now and hes fine...i was told they could get aggressive but mine lives fine with a black ghost knife, jade goby, spotted raphael cat, and a bushy nose pleco...i add a tiny bit of salt every now and then but for the most part it's nowhere near brackish

 

[kj23502]

ive had a figure 8 in fw for about 7months now and hes fine...i was told they could get aggressive but mine lives fine with a black ghost knife, jade goby, spotted raphael cat, and a bushy nose pleco...i add a tiny bit of salt every now and then but for the most part it's nowhere near brackish