Little Fahaka

[chris_1127]

I bought myself a tiny fahaka at the weekend from Maidenhead in Cardiff dont worry, i'm aware of eventual requirements in terms of tank size, temperament etc - its only tiny at the moment so it will be spending the next few months in a rio 125 before i upgrade to bigger tanks. I was just wondering if the experienced fahaka owners on here could give me a bit of an idea about growth rates? Also, with juvenile fahakas I was wondering how much "spotting" they showed in their markings? this one has the definite stripey experience near the tail but looks a lot spottier in the body than the adult fish i have seen.

incidentally it was described in the shop as a "false mbu" puffer, but i'm fairly confident that it is a fahaka. The only other possibility i could think of was a t. pustulatus, but understand they are pretty rare so thought that it was unlikey. Just trying to upload some pics at the moment so will post these later.

 

[emma12321]

Hi,

I know Paul MTS and Sir Minion both have a fahaka puffer so it might be worth pm'ing them for more info.

Emma

 

[chris_1127]

thanks emma, funny you should mention this as ive just been reading Cookie's story Hopefully they may have some pointers or info.

I've managed to put a small video of the new guy online - see what everyones thoughts are as to whether it is what i think it is... quality isnt great as its done on a Nokia so best viewed in a small window
http/media.putfile.com/Video00651

heres a pic too, again sorry for the crappy quality

 

[*Lucifer*]

hes really cute!!!!! ive never seen one of these fish b4, they r really something else!!! hope he brings u loadsa enjoyment!!!

Lucifer

 

[Rocker]

Difficult to be absolutely sure from the video but it does look like a fahaka. These are the fastest growing of the puffers so expect him to grow an inch a month. You better start getting that bigger tank ready as soon as possible!

 

[chris_1127]

yeah hes a real character - much braver than my figure 8's or gsp and thats on his first day in his new tank.

wow an inch a month is some going! What sort of size does the growth rate start to tail off at? I was thinking that i could maybe go to about 4-5" in the 125 and then trade up to something like a rio 240, and then again at 8" or so go for a 4x2x2, with a view to eventually having a six footer in the hall for him. To be honest, upgrading to a bigger tank shouldnt be too much of a problem - telling my gf that we will have another big tank in the house is going to be the difficult bit!!

 

[Rocker]

The 4 X 2 X 2 would be a good size the 6 foot even better provided it had the 2' width/depth. Fahaks can grow to around 18" so need at least the 24" to turn comfortably in. I would try and house the puffer in his final tank asap. It will be better for you and the puffer.
Most fahakas start to slow after the first 12 months of their lifes. Mine was about an inch when I got him, 13" a year later!

 

[chris_1127]

thanks rocker thats brilliant, just the kind of info i needed!! Maybe will skip the 240 and just save as much as i can for a bigger tank straight off - especially if its a matter of months between changes. What size tank did/do you eventually house yours in, and what filtration were you running?

 

[Rocker]

Mine is in a 4x2x2 and is filtered by 2 x fluval 304 externals.