I really want a puffer...

[jrd77]

I went to my LFS today and asked about a freshwater puffer. He told be that Colomesus asellus was freshwater. Well, we got one of these a while ago (about 4 weeks) it it died within 36 hours.

So, we went back and were told a figure 8 would work. It died too (again within 36 hours), seeing as they are brackish apparently and he did not tell us that...

So, I still really want a puffer but right now, cannot go brackish. My 45 gallon is 100% freshwater and the only salt I add is just less that half dose at 4 tablespoons for the whole tank total (so one tablespoon at each water change).

Is there a puffer I can get that will be successful in our tank? The temp is always 78F, pH around neutral, ammonia and nitrites at 0, nitrates at 12.5, gh and kh around 20 (very soft, I know), and phosphates around 5ppm...

Thanks in advance your your advice.

 

[andywg]

Provided there's no other fish in there and you have plenty of caves or plants there you could have a number (9 or more) of Dwarf Puffers (Carinotetraodon travancoricus) in a tank like that.

Or else, you could even have a few South American Puffers (Colomesus asellus) in there. I'm sorry to see you've had no luck with these before, but as many will agree, these are a species and NOT a communitiy species of fish (though normally it's becaue they terrorise the rest of the tank)

One problem could be the salt. If you have a true freshwater species (like puffers or Cories) then the addition of salt is bad for them and is not the general tonic that used to be suggested practice.

 

[Puffer_freak]

That is becasue puffers have skin, and not scales. I believe this is so they can puff up.

Collemesus Assellus are thought to be the most peaceful of all puffers, but should still not be kept with other fish, in my opinion. Please check out the link or both of the links in my sig for more info.

Dwarf Puffers (can't remember latin name ) may be small, but they still should not be kept with other fish.

I could suggest some Red Eye Puffe3rs (Tetraodon Lorteti)

If you get multiple puffers, I would suggest having a very heavily planted tank, with caves and other things to break up the eyeline. If you want any more questions answered, feel free to ask!

 

[jrd77]

Thank for the infos! It looks like we're going to end up buying a new tank....just for puffers since they won't get along with the fish already in the 45 gallon... Just a few weeks 'till we buy and then cycle!

 

[andywg]

If you already have a tank, no need to cycle. If possible buy the filter for the new tank first and run it in your current tank. Then when you set up the new tank, attach the filter (and a small part of the substrate) and you will have cloned your old tank which will enable you to add fish from the start.