Sap's

[demonmagus]

Hi, how many SAP's could I have in a 30 gallon tank, would 2 be max or 3-4 as they are meant to be 'friendly'?

thanks

 

[pica_nuttalli]

nmonks has 3 in his 30g and has reported no problems so far

 

[Fella]

3 would be fine. Be sure to keep up good maintenance, and that you have a good water change regime though.

They are relatively peaceul though, as puffers go, but then, they could also be unpredictable...

 

[nmonks]

Indeed I do. As Fella said, puffers can be a little sensitive to water quality, thought to be honest I have found SAPs to be at the hardy end of the spectrum. They aren't like mbu puffers which keel over at the first sniff if a nitrate ion! Not that I'm saying you can skip water changes, but SAPs will forgive occasional lapses, so they make excellent first-ever puffers.

As to keeping them in numbers: basically they don't so much for schools as simply hang out in a loose group, especially at night. They don't fight at all (except over food!). Signs of nervousness seem to decrease the more you have, and the science is rock-solid that these fish form groups in the wild, especially at breeding time. Unlike all the other freshwater puffers, they do not guard their eggs or form territories, so there is no aggression between them.

On the other hand, if you keep just two, then as with any social fish, like tiger barbs or angels, there's a risk of one becoming a bully. The more you have, the less likely this is. Personally, twos and threes work fine for me, but your own experiences may be different.

Cheers,

Neale

nmonks has 3 in his 30g and has reported no problems so far