New Oddball?

[lilacamy931]

Im considering another tank and generally I am in love with puffers but unsure what to do next. I think the following are going to be the options though please guide me on space etc.
I have found a gorgeous 250 litre that would like to go for but if I did this the options would be:

1. SAPS - probably 4-5 - though need guidance as to whether they would work as the above mentioned tank is a cube.. I know generally it is length and high flow so wonder if this is not
suitable for them?

2. Palembang & Suvatti - either a palembang on its own or perhaps in combination with suvatti as read of this combination working.

3. Black Ghost Knife Fish? - This is a new idea and generally I have not read up on them yet. I could do with guidance as to their minimum requirements and whether the above tank is suitable for one or two?

Otherwise my heart would be set on going smaller to 25g/30g and getting the ever elusive congo miurus puffer. I have located one but it would be a case of getting a suitable tank in time. A cycled filter would not be the problem just finding the right tank or set up. I have always fancied the congos but do know they are hard to get hold of and inactive as such.

Any thoughts/tips appreciated as always.

With regards to puffs I have in their own permanent homes now Fitzgig the Hairy Puff, Nooki the Fahaka and Calcifer the Abei, all doing well and all pretty much eating whatever is given to them

 

[omese]

your 3 existing puffers what size tanks do you house them in?

im looking into getting a puffer but not sure what to get

 

[omese]

i have a black ghost and i must say hes my fav, hes class, really tame and loves it when im near tank, hides in a cave in the tank most of the day, but has started getting braver coming out alot more, what u thinking of putting in with it? u need at least a 3ft probably 4ft to house 1

 

[lilacamy931]

i have a black ghost and i must say hes my fav, hes class, really tame and loves it when im near tank, hides in a cave in the tank most of the day, but has started getting braver coming out alot more, what u thinking of putting in with it? u need at least a 3ft probably 4ft to house 1

Currently have fahaka in 100g+ , abei in 26ishg, hairy in 30 ishg. Can't remember all the exact! With puffers you can go as low as 5 g for one dwarf puff up to 1000g for mbus and all in-between ranging from fresh to brackish to marine, highly recommend puffs but perhaps look at what sort of commitment you can first. Aw the bgk sounds sweet! Just an idea for the moment though prob species only. Swaying towards puffers more.

 

[omese]

im thinking of getting a bigger tank, and getting an abei puffer how many can u keep together? and do they get tame? what sort of decor do u have in tank etc

 

[Wills]

i have a black ghost and i must say hes my fav, hes class, really tame and loves it when im near tank, hides in a cave in the tank most of the day, but has started getting braver coming out alot more, what u thinking of putting in with it? u need at least a 3ft probably 4ft to house 1

Sorry mate but that tank size is way off for a black ghost knife fish.

BGKs get to around 15-18 inches as adults and as a result need a tank around a 5x2x2 as a minimum a 3 foot tank is not an option but a 4x2x2 might be somewhat of a squeeze but possible.

Wills

 

[lilacamy931]

I think I will scrap the idea of a BGK as I already have the fahaka as my monster fish.

As to the abeis, they are lone puffs, I wouldnt keep two together as you would most likely end up with one or both dead. The only puffs that work in groups are:

Dwarf puffs (need good mix of male to female ratio)-freshwater-need 5g for each puff
Really petite up to an inch if that

Irrubesco (red eyed again good m to f) - these are still consider smaller but need much larger tank conditions about 15-20g for one-fresh
Get about 2 inches (off top of head, you will need to check!)

SAPs - these need to be in groups generally and like long larger tanks with good flow, generally dont do well by themselves. Cant remember off top of head though I have asked about cube for these, to note these guys need regular beak trimming.Fresh - 3 inches?

F8s - these guys generally better by selves but if gotten as juvis and grown up together may work - brackish-about 15g for one - 3ish again

GSPs - again if grown from juvi may work may not, when adult need higher end brackish some take to full marine. Get up to 6" and need 30g

Abeis, Hairies, Congos, Suvattis, Palembangs - are all lurkers/target puffers and generally from reading around and experience should be kept singularly. I know someone who has a breeding pair of hairies, mine didnt work out so have singular specimen now and also someone who had a Palembang/suvatti combo. Others have tried combos for congo or duplicate abeis but usually it goes badly wrong.

I have my abei on his own and he is a puffer to behold! He would definately eat tankmates and just great by himself.

Hope that helps a little!!

 

[simonas]

BGK's are ace and whilst I wouldn;t advocate anyone keeping one in a small tank I do think they are relatively slow growing and if you had the potential for a larger tank in the future you could grow one on till then

Fahaka puffer has always been high up on my wish list. how bigs your one now? any pics?

 

[lilacamy931]

Hi Simonas. I don't think we would have the room to upgrade unfortunately, my dream fish is a mbu. My fahaka is still just a baby at 5 inches, got him when he was just under 2 inches. I will have to upload some pics when I get home! He is such a sweet puff I am trying him with barbs currently. So far eaten one when refused to feed him lol.

 

[lilacamy931]

Cant believe forgot to upload the pics! My camera has died after spent ages trying to get decent shots of the little big #28### and so will have to upload ones previously on Flickr, bear with me!!
Here is when he first came to me, pretty stressed out colours and slight concaved belly, about 1.75"

In the early days when I was trying to fatten him up and still learning how much to feed (not helped by the fact on this occasion he snatched the prawn and ran!)

Here is one from about a month ago begging, he now sticks his face out

And after with a miffed look that Im taking pics instead

Wil have to get the better pics later, he is developing the red stripes though nothing like Martha the Farhaka (she is truly beautiful!) Nooki's best bits? He loves people and recognises me above everyone else (well I am the feeder lol), he goes into a food coma after meals. A proud moment? His first crab which I didnt catch on camera but he knew what to do going straight between the eyes. I have another being fed up currently so will upload shortly.

Oh and in relation to the new oddball, it will be the good ol potato puff, already ordered paid for, more pics soon!

 

[rdp50734]

Sorry to but in but how are the orientalis?

 

[england]

Yeah,iam wondering how the ornatipinnis are going for you? I did send a mail but have not heard from you, hope you guys are ok?

 

[lilacamy931]

Sorry to say I rehomed them in the end for free as they just weren't the fish for me and one was almost killed. The guy that took them has put in 6 footer species only, hopefully the more space for them the better? Sorry didn't get back to you Nelly x

 

[rdp50734]

Thats such a shame, you'll find something that suits you!

 

[lilacamy931]

I think puffers are for me, even with these guys it has taken a fair few species to find the right ones. Xx