Fahaka Puffer - Set Up for one?

[simonas]

I've been reading through these pages and have seen Sir Minnions web page and I really want a fahaka puffer. I've done a search for Tetraodon lineatus and read up on them and it seems they are best kept on their own. Are they strictly freshwater? or do they need a brackish element to the water?

I have a 48x18x12 tank spare. Is that suitable. I also have a 30x15x12 spare - is this too small. I', also getting a cast off 60x18x12 tank in two months.

Is their anything vital I have to know about hese fish, can you have any tankmates and what is their captive siize potential?

Are they available anywhere also

Thanks for your help

Simon

 

[Jason_S]

they can grow to around 18" if cared for properly so you'll need to eventually put a fahaka in the 60" x 18" tank you'll be getting. sadly, there are probably no tankmates that will be able to go with the fahaka unless you get something that's too quick for the puffer to catch. however, even if you add fish that are extremely quick the fahaka may eventually catch the other fish sleeping. basically a good rule of thumb is don't put anything with a puffer (especially a fahaka) that you wouldn't want to get eaten because the possibility is always there that the puffer will eat anything that's kept with it.

fahaka's are purely freshwater puffers. some people claim they are brackish and I'm sure they'll be ok for a short period of time in a brackish environment but they will eventually have a weakened immune system and probably get sick if they're not kept in the proper water...which is purely freshwater.

you'll need massive filtration on the tank to make sure the water parameters are kept in check since all puffers are extremely messy eaters. also it's recommended with all puffers to do weekly 50% water changes taking extra care that the new water is the same temp as the tank. B)

 

[Puffer_freak]

Are you SURE that you have been reading the pages?



If you had read them properly, you would know, that tankmates for a fahaka are a BIG no no. SirM only has one with his because theirs is INCEREDIBLY docile (for a fahaka)!

I'm guessing those measurements are in inches. Min tanks size is probably around: 40"X18"X18".

But I'm sure the fahaka would prefer the bigger tank.

Captive size is 18" (45cm)

No, generally, they are nopt available anywhere, I have only ever seen them in one shop, and that is a good one.

Puffers prefer a snad substrate, so that they can bury themselves and stuff.

Please remember that they are carnivores and are freshwater.

 

[simonas]

Are you SURE that you have been reading the pages?



If you had read them properly, you would know, that tankmates for a fahaka are a BIG no no. SirM only has one with his because theirs is INCEREDIBLY docile (for a fahaka)!

I'm guessing those measurements are in inches. Min tanks size is probably around: 40"X18"X18".

But I'm sure the fahaka would prefer the bigger tank.

Captive size is 18" (45cm)

No, generally, they are nopt available anywhere, I have only ever seen them in one shop, and that is a good one.

Puffers prefer a snad substrate, so that they can bury themselves and stuff.

Please remember that they are carnivores and are freshwater.

i HAVE BEEN READING THE PAGES AND THE REASON i ASKED ABOUT TANK MATES DESPITE THE INFO ON WEB PAGES IS THAT SIR MINNION HAS PHOTOS OF OTHER FISH WITH HIS fAHAKA

Yes the tanks are in inches and he could have the biggest when it comes. I have plebty of experience iwth oddball fishes so water changes water parameters are not such a problem but just wanted to check the practical side of keeping them because books etc are often wide of the mark in that respect.

 

[simonas]

they can grow to around 18" if cared for properly so you'll need to eventually put a fahaka in the 60" x 18" tank you'll be getting. sadly, there are probably no tankmates that will be able to go with the fahaka unless you get something that's too quick for the puffer to catch. however, even if you add fish that are extremely quick the fahaka may eventually catch the other fish sleeping. basically a good rule of thumb is don't put anything with a puffer (especially a fahaka) that you wouldn't want to get eaten because the possibility is always there that the puffer will eat anything that's kept with it.

fahaka's are purely freshwater puffers. some people claim they are brackish and I'm sure they'll be ok for a short period of time in a brackish environment but they will eventually have a weakened immune system and probably get sick if they're not kept in the proper water...which is purely freshwater.

you'll need massive filtration on the tank to make sure the water parameters are kept in check since all puffers are extremely messy eaters. also it's recommended with all puffers to do weekly 50% water changes taking extra care that the new water is the same temp as the tank. B)

the fact they are strictly freshwater is a bonus as I have no experience of salt or brackish fish however I had intended to start setting some up as there is a fugu/fuku? puffer for sale in a local shop to me which I believe but not yet sure is a brackish water fish

 

[Jason_S]

yes the fugu puffer is a brackish water fish possibly preferring high end brackish to full marine as an adult. not completely sure about that. something to think about though, I've read numerous times that fugu puffers are near impossible to keep alive for longer than 6 months in captivity. even people with decades of puffer experience have had a lot of trouble with the fugu puffer.

 

[Paul_MTS]

the minum tnak size for a fahaka is 450litres.

the tank would have to be a 4x2x2 or a fairly large 5ft which is atleast 18"x18".

they need alot of cleaning to keep the tank clean for them as they are very messy.