Puffer Fish Question For My New Tank...

[Dakota789]

I'm sorry if this is the wrong place to post this but it won't let me post under 'oddball'.

I have a 10 gallon tank, no fish yet (it's cycling)
I really want to get a red eye puffer (C. Loreti), however I'm getting totally mixed opinions on them for my set up...

Some people are telling me that they need 20 gallons of water, some people are saying that 10 is all they need, or that they have their's in a 10 gallon and it's working out great. I do understand that they are messy and I would be more then willing to do the needed water changes. I do though want to make sure I'm doing the right thing, I don't want the poor little guy (or girl) to be miserable.

I just wanted to see if anyone here had any experience with them and get some feedback.

Thanks!!!

 

[jennybugs]

Personally I would go with the 20 gal figure as more water for any puffer is better than not enough

 

[jonnyf84]

red eye puffers can grow quite large - 6 inches or so. I'd say 10 gallons is too small, why not go for dwarf puffers instead.

 

[Davo86]

red eye puffers can grow quite large - 6 inches or so. I'd say 10 gallons is too small, why not go for dwarf puffers instead.

Carinotetraodon lorteti will actually get to around 2 inches and one may work in a 10G provided filtration is good,
This would be the sole fish in the tank though as for their size they can be highly aggressive.

 

[Dakota789]

I don't want to chance it... I'm gonna go with the dwarf puffers ) The larger puffers at the pet store, they call them 'River Puffers' I can't seem to find a photo ANYWHERE that looks like them, the owner of the store tells me that they only get about 2.5" and they are STRICTLY freshwater... After reading TONS of posts about mis-informed puffer mom's and dads, I'm just going to go with the dwarfs. They have a TON of personality and are OH SO CUTE!

I know you guys said I can get 3 (1 male and 2 females)... how do I know if they are boys or girls?

Also, how about an otto to help with the clean up or is this pushing the capacity? (maybe 2 dwarfs 1 otto?) or maybe ghost shrimp? Although I did read that this is a toss up, that the dwarfs might eat them.

Thanks!