I need a bunch of puffer information

[superman]

I am very interested in keeping a puffer or two or more in the future. I would like to know what the largest true fresh water puffer is, and how much i should expect to pay for him. I have never kept a puffer, so keep this in mind when giving me advice. I know that snails are a very good food for them, and I think that i can supply them. I would like to know if these are the type of fish that will just keep eating and eating if there is food available, because my lfs has an infestation of snails right now and they will just give them away to me. Can I keep more than one together? Do you recommend a species tank? If the largest true fresh water puffers are really small (less than one inch) could you guys tell me how I should set up a brackish tank (I have done nothing but strictly fresh water tropical) and what type of brackish puffer would you recommend. I would like to keep them in an extra 15 gallon tank I have laying around if that sounds good too you. Thanks for your help guys, I will be reading articles on the net about puffers, but I really value first hand knowledge that some of you may impart.

 

[cichlid_freak]

I don't know too much about puffers, but I do know the largest FW puffer comes from Africa. It is the Mbu Puffer (Tetraodon mbu). It get very large, like 2 1/2' +. I don't know much about them, and have only seen one in life, but very awesome and much too large for a 15 gal. Maybe someone can help you more.

 

[cryosi]

i am sure someone will help you here, but in my experience puffers are very difficult to keep! they need the snails to keep thier tooth(beak) in shape other wise it will grow and they wont be able to eat. I would also suggest a species tank .

I am sure someone here can help more on this topic..

 

[superman]

I hope someone can help me too. I have all the snails that I could feed the puffer, I am looking for something that will be happy in a 15 gallon, but I do want the largest one that will be happy in a 15 gallon. I appreciate anyone's help!

 

[Angel Lady]

My neighbors bought a puffer and the dumb butts put it in with 2 black moors (gold fish) I want you to know they had thier fins for lunch and what they missed for lunch they come back and had it for dinner I do know that I havent seen nothing be housed with them but oscars and they stayed in one corner the lady at the pet store said they were very mean toward other fish and very hard to keep it seems like everytime she gets some in they live only two weeks because she dont know how to porvide for thier needs either I will tell her they have to have snails.

 

[Fishsmurf]

Superman....

I really don't know that much about puffers either, apart from that fact that they are generally BW, better kept as a species tank, are fairly aggressive (even towards each other) and need quite a high level of care. Having said all that I had a route around and found a couple of specialist sites recommended for puffers and puffer keepers.....

http/www.pufferfish.co.uk/aquaria/specie...types/index.htm

http/groups.yahoo.com/group/pufferfish/

Sorry I couldn't be much more help but they seem pretty specialised.

HTH a bit.....

 

[Pufferpack]

Well Superman, I can tell you when it comes to puffers the size of the fish doesn't lessen the enjoyment to their caretaker.
I have a pack of 6 Indian Dwarf Puffers (they are a true FW Puffer that grows to 1 1/2 in.) housed in a 25 gal Hex. tank with 4 Bumblebee Gobies. Now I know the BBG's will have to go to a BW set up eventually, but they are doing well now and they are the ONLY fish I have been able to keep in with The Tiny Terrors.
Now don't get me wrong, I Luv my babies , they are the reason I'm a fish keeper with MTS (1-90 gal, 2-35 gal, 2-25 gal, 1-10 gal, started Dec 25th 2002 ), but they are little Demons when they want to be (long story, I'll post it here if you want to read it). I find they are more intelligent than (FORGIVE ME CM et al) any of our Cichlids, and also have more personality. I have even watched them sulk for 3 days anytime my wife walked into the room because they were mad at her. (look what you've done...he's off on a rant now...groan )
Now that I've frightened you, and possibly intrigued you, I would recomend the Dwarf Puffer for your 15 gal whole heartedly. You could get probably 3 females & 1 male. Just be sure to have lots of caves/plants/holes for them to hide and sleep.
If you want to contact a few Puffer experts (people with 20 & 40 years as puffer caretakers) try Aquaria Central and look for "Pufferpunk", "rjl420", "andruboz" or "RTR" these four probably have close to 100 years of personal experiance owning puffers off all kinds.

Oh and in answer to your original questions:

I would like to know what the largest true fresh water puffer is, and how much i should expect to pay for him

 MBU is indeed the biggest FW Puffer. I'v read recomendations for no less than 500 gal tank...single fish.

I would like to know if these are the type of fish that will just keep eating and eating if there is food available

  Yes, some puffers will literally eat themselves to death (Dwarfs incl.), they will eat so much that their bowels will become obstructed and result in death

Can I keep more than one together? Do you recommend a species tank?

Yes you can keep more than one together, depending on species (Fahakas for example have been frequently discribed as "A fish on crack that will attack anything that comes into their line of sight"), but in a 15 gal tank you are limited to a smaller species, and most posts I've read recomend a species tank(although many other Dwarf caretakers are surprised by my packs escapades, a lot of people report theirs a "good community fish"...time will tell).

Well I've rambled on long enough (more than long enough... ), hope some of this helps.

Don