I Have My First Mbu!

[ilovemymbu]

Hi everyone

i have got myself a MBU puffer fish, he is absolutely gorgeous and i want to give him the best life. I cannot believe his wonderful character. He's not like a fish he's like a puppy ha ha, sounds strange i know but its as if he is constantly trying to get my attention. I've named him Chad and i'm sure he already knows i'm his 'mummy' he he.

I actually got him today and was told by my supplier that he is approx 6-8 months old. He looks about 5 inches long. I was originally looking for a smaller MBU however they didn't have one so I asked my supplier about Chad, he asked what size tank i have, which is a 2ft tank and he said it would be suitable for Chad now but would need to be upgraded soon because of the size he grows to. So to be honest i would rather just buy one big tank now instead of buying bigger tanks in stages, i want his life to be stress free so would like to have him settled asap.

If i was to buy a 5ft tank would this be suitable for him when fully grown?

I am slightly worried at the moment though because since having him home (today) i feel myself that he should be in something bigger really, so i removed the ornaments and moved the plants to the side of the tank giving him maximum space for him to swim freely, which he can.

They also advised me to feed him Cockle and give him 4 cockles per week, is this right? and is there something else i should be feeding bcause of his teeth.

At the moment i have him in the tank with my 3inch cochilodon plec, one platty, and four guppies, and my supplier said that he will not attack any of them and they can pretty much go in with any fish. Is this right? When i introdued Chad he did actually lay beside my plec as if he was trying to get a cuddle ha ha but I would rather not have the guilt of any of my fish being eaten.

Its not that i don't trust my suppliers advice but sometimes you just never know so if anyone can help it would be much appreciated.

Many thanks.

 

[Josiah]

I can help you a little bit, my advice is take him back, a 5ft is to small, as is a 6ft, 7 ft. The minimum tank size is 1000 us gallons yes they need that much, they get to be 26 in long, and need excellent filtration. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but you need to know.

 

[supermatelot]

Josiah,

Take your self righteeous ass off and edit your comments,you have no idea what lies in store for said fish and you are simply trying to score points the easy way by presuming and casting judgement on another person.

If you are a member of the"what size is your tank" mafia then I reccomend you get yourself a life.


Josiah,

Did you get all the info regarding transition to brackish etc etc?

 

[ant0]

no need for abuse, he's actually correct: link

 

[WILDER]

I agree according to this site.
http/www.pufferresources.net/puffer_prof...ewtopic.php?t=8

 

[supermatelot]

no need for abuse, he's actually correct: link

That was not abuse,I get fed up with some self righteous types on here who sem to be waiting just to pounce on anybody who does not fulfill a given criteria.Wanna give it a shot?post your tank stats...

 

[ant0]

no need for abuse, he's actually correct: link

That was not abuse,I get fed up with some self righteous types on here who sem to be waiting just to pounce on anybody who does not fulfill a given criteria.Wanna give it a shot?post your tank stats...

in my profile. 5ft length is too small for a 2ft fish. I wouldnt keep a 2ft fish myself atall in anything less than a public aquarium of several thousand gallons, thats my opinion though...

 

[Josiah]

I've heard some really sad stories from people who have gotten a Mbu, and they wished that somebody would have told them, so I think he(or she) deserves to know. For instance, I had to recently take back my puffers because they were sold to me as F8's and they were really GSP's, I was devastated but knew it was better for the fish.


Edited for spelling.

 

[ant0]

yeah its sad, like keeping a fish in prison. Like seeing a Pacu in a 50 gallon, or an oscar for that matter.

 

[supermatelot]

I do agree,especially in the UK puffers get mis-sold but,do you espect every poster to post their future plans and tankage regarding any fish commented on?
There are some people on here who would regard a 100UKGal tank being over-stocked with 2 tetras.All I see is a few people trying to score points by criticising the tank size of anyone who dare post.

I'm gonna put my neck out here...It seems to be an American thing.

 

[WILDER]

Always best to research a fish, never buy a fish on impulse it ends in disaster most of the time.
Sounds like he got hiself in a right mess.
Lfs shouldn't be selling them if them need them size tanks.

 

[Josiah]

If you read his post he asks if a 5ft is big enough. And I awnsered that question by saying, "a 5ft is to small, as is a 6ft, 7 ft. The minimum tank size is 1000 us gallons yes they need that much"

 

[WILDER]

Looks like you will be stressed having to buy a 1000 gallon tank for the puffer.

 

[WILDER]

I would take him back to the store.

 

[supermatelot]

f you read his post he asks if a 5ft is big enough.

Well you know thats big enough...for the time being.Where in the initial post did he/she state that was going to be the sole home regardless?Stop being so anal and get off your high horse!

I'm sorry but I have a problem with a few on here who just seem too eager to pounce on anybody who does not tick all the boxes when disussing certain fish.I also presume that most of these people are owners of nothing more than a goldfish bowl and a few cibunkings!
People come on here to ask advice (am I right) and buying a tank twice the size is not always an option.Should we expect every poster to publish their future intentions regarding their fish lest the self-righteous get worked up?