Getting A Puffer

[ClownKnifeMommy]

I've been studying and researching Puffers for a few days now, and have decided I can work with some of the smaller species, I really like the Amazon Puffer's "Colomesus Asellus" and the Avacado Puffer "Auriglobus Modestus", also called the Golden Puffer.

First question is could I keep one of each in a 30 G?

I not, it's OK, I'll settle for 2 of the Amazon's.

Second question is where would I get them from? I don't trust either of my LFS's as they given me trouble before in ordering.... A Clown Knife fish and a Ghost Knife fish aren't even CLOSE to the same fish, but they still mixed em up somehow, as well as they've sold me fish with ICK before, a very scary thing. I'm very hesitant on ordering from them, but suppose if I pick them up on the delivery date, and am SURE they are healthy and the right species, I could go that route.
I'd rather order from a reputable source somewhere here in the US, but I've never done that before and don't know where to find a supplier I can trust.
And ideas?

 

[nmonks]

Colomesus asellus is a social species, and I'm not a fan of keeping them singly. They are so much happier in groups. Three in a 30 gallon tank is a bit of a squeeze, but if you had a decent filter to get lots of water flow, it might be okay. Depends a bit on the length of the tank -- they need swimming space rather than depth.

Auriglobus modestus is an extremely antisocial fish; keep one specimen. In the wild it eats fins/scales from other fish as well as the usual invertebrates. It is also aggressive towards its own kind.

Cheers, Neale