Senegal Bichir And Figure 8 Puffer

[fry_lover]

Hi

I have just purchased a 4-foot tank with the following inhabitants; x3 Senegal Bichir, about 3-4" each and x6 Figure of 8 Puffer's, about 1" each.

I just wanted the tank and equipment really, i knew the tank had fish, but didnt know what fish, i was going to keep them or move them on. But since i have seen the fish i am in love with them. Perhaps people who have either of these species will know where i am coming from, they have so much personality it would seem.

Anyway, if i keep them in this tank, by main point of advice is, i am aware that even though Figure of 8 puffers are often found in freshwater as well as brackish water in the wild, they are considered a "brackish" fish (and some sites i have visited today insist they are FRESHWATER) the owner of this tank said he has had the Birchir's for about 6 months and then bought the Puffer's from an LFS about 3 months ago. The tank is running at normal freshwater levels and apparently the LFS said these Puffers were used to "nothing but fresh water?"

If i keep these fish together, which i want to, researching, they have similar dietary requirements (somewhat), what level of salinity shall i aim for? Can the Bichir put up with a low level brackish environment, say 1.003 or something? And will that be okay for the Puffer's? or shall i just stick to freshwater?

Also, do you think the Bichir's will have the Puffers for dinner at some point, as the Figure of 8's rarely get bigger than 2-3" ?

Thanks

 

[Lhutch]

bichirs are strictly freshwater,figure 8s spend some time in fresh but move into brackish,less diseases,live longer. Bring the f8s back to the store can cant have them together

 

[fry_lover]

bichirs are strictly freshwater,figure 8s spend some time in fresh but move into brackish,less diseases,live longer. Bring the f8s back to the store can cant have them together

thanks mate for getting back to me, however i do believe they can live together, but that belief will be shaken for sure if i get many more posts like yours. Been doing more research, it's interesting how f8s mostly come from freshwater in nature (this DOES seem to be the common fact on internet) BUT most peeps say Brackish aquaria is best?I want people to have a think about these fish's BEST INTERESTS, i can offer a permanantly ZERO ammonia and ZERO nitrite environment (barring some kind of catastrophe LOL) with good water changes, a focused diet and lots of care, plus a bigger tank when required.But, if people tell me these fish cannot caterogorically live in the same tank, i will need to take action.How about a salinity of 1.001 or 1.002 ?

 

[Lhutch]

They Just live longer and happier in saltier conditions,im sry but its not compatible,if your looking for some kind of puff you could a South american puffer,the sengal i think would eat both however your best not adding any puffs,but there are other options

 

[DarkEntity]

Figure8 Puffers seem to have a far longer and healthier life in a low level Brackish Environment, where Polys are full freshwater. Id seriously consider getting a Brackish tank setup for them

 

[Straydum]

you would have to let the puffers go. either that or the bichir and you maintain a brackish setup.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

also, a 1" f8 puffer is still just a baby, which is why there haven't been serious issues yet.

while most people are recommending that you relocate the puffers, i would actually suggest that you replace the bichirs with dragon gobies (a similar shaped, but brackish bottom dweller).

 

[fry_lover]

okay guys, thanks for the feedback

 

[fry_lover]

okay guys, thanks for the feedback

I think i will take the Figure 8's to the LFS although i am waiting to hear back from x2 members of this forum specifically, but it looks like the Figure 8's are going to go.

My local LFS has South American Puffers (Wildwoods) but they are £12 and only 1" at the moment.

Remember my tank is only 48x12x15, i have other larger tanks though and am constantly upgrading stuff!!!

How many South American Puffers could i get, i know they can socialise okay unlike some other Puffer's.

Remember they will be sharing with x3 Senegal Birchirs (currently 4" or so)

Not a "text book" combination, but can it be done?

Diet will be similar it would seem.

 

[DarkEntity]

SAP's will tolerate other tank mates, but are you ready for the dental work that they will require due to the stupidly fast bill growth?

 

[fry_lover]

SAP's will tolerate other tank mates, but are you ready for the dental work that they will require due to the stupidly fast bill growth?

Yes i have the drill beside me now!!!

Just kidding, i do know about the dental issues, i been reading up, obviously there are feeding methods to help reduce the need or atleast delay it? Is this correct?

To your knowledge are SAP's just the same as other Puffer's in terms of their "bill growth"? I think some are more problematic than others?

Just a guess, off the top fo your head, if i get a few 1" SAP's and fed them correct, how long we looking at until they need "manual" assistance with their teeth?

Thanks for helping me out on this thread.

EDIT: just read somewhere the SAP's teeth grow quicker than any other puffer, oh gosh, i dont want to but a fish where its health is possibly well outside my control, on this forum i just read that even WITH a perfect diet of snails etc, they will still need trimming every 4-6 months. This is not acceptable for me, i might pass?

Any f/w puffers, whose teeth can be easier controlled?

 

[DarkEntity]

SAP's will tolerate other tank mates, but are you ready for the dental work that they will require due to the stupidly fast bill growth?

Yes i have the drill beside me now!!!

Just kidding, i do know about the dental issues, i been reading up, obviously there are feeding methods to help reduce the need or atleast delay it? Is this correct?

To your knowledge are SAP's just the same as other Puffer's in terms of their "bill growth"? I think some are more problematic than others?

Just a guess, off the top fo your head, if i get a few 1" SAP's and fed them correct, how long we looking at until they need "manual" assistance with their teeth?

Thanks for helping me out on this thread.

Saps bill grow much much faster than any other Puffers. You can try to slow it down but i know a few people on another forum which feed nothing but crustaceans yet twice yearly she and others are out with files doing the teeth. Ive also heard people feed SAPS from blocks of granite, so when they grab the food they rasp their bills on the stone, im pretty sure N Monks used or does use this method.

Generally its twice yearly for manual bill filing. but that can be less or more dependant on feeding.

 

[fry_lover]

thanks, i just edited my post above as i read that SAP's bills grow faster.

It's not that i am screamish, its just i dont want the stress of that, its not my idea of fish keeping and if i am being selfish like that (which i still think is okay) its best not to get the fish obviously. I wonder if they will explain this to me in the LFS tomorrow as i am going anyway.

So, f/w puffers that WITH the correct diet "might" not need manual trimming?

To go in a 48x12x15 with x3 Senegal Bichir, what are my options? or dont i have any?

thanks again

 

[DarkEntity]

thanks, i just edited my post above as i read that SAP's bills grow faster.

It's not that i am screamish, its just i dont want the stress of that, its not my idea of fish keeping and if i am being selfish like that (which i still think is okay) its best not to get the fish obviously. I wonder if they will explain this to me in the LFS tomorrow as i am going anyway.

So, f/w puffers that WITH the correct diet "might" not need manual trimming?

To go in a 48x12x15 with x3 Senegal Bichir, what are my options? or dont i have any?

thanks again

31 Gall tank tbh when those 3 Polys grow up its going to be a tight fit in there. Also id probably think the puffers might turn into a snack, but before then the puffers would probably nip the Polys fins...Personally i think id be inclined to go with something else for now then upgrade to a larger tank come the time.

Tbh SAP's will need trimming of bills at some point.

 

[fry_lover]

thanks, i just edited my post above as i read that SAP's bills grow faster.

It's not that i am screamish, its just i dont want the stress of that, its not my idea of fish keeping and if i am being selfish like that (which i still think is okay) its best not to get the fish obviously. I wonder if they will explain this to me in the LFS tomorrow as i am going anyway.

So, f/w puffers that WITH the correct diet "might" not need manual trimming?

To go in a 48x12x15 with x3 Senegal Bichir, what are my options? or dont i have any?

thanks again

31 Gall tank tbh when those 3 Polys grow up its going to be a tight fit in there. Also id probably think the puffers might turn into a snack, but before then the puffers would probably nip the Polys fins...Personally i think id be inclined to go with something else for now then upgrade to a larger tank come the time.

Tbh SAP's will need trimming of bills at some point.

Yes mate, good points, the tank is not big enough, i have other bigger tanks but they are fully stocked, if i really get the "bichir bug" which i think i am, then i will upgrade.

I was wondering if the Puffer's or a Puffer might nip those beautiful fins???

I think this is a case of "the boy who wants everything" syndrome, i wish i never had those bleeding Puffers now as a big part of me doesnt want to give up having atleast one puffer, but it WOULD need to go with the Bichirs.

My only other option is to get x1 Puffer for either my Parrot / Female Convict / Bristlenose tank OR my Malawi tank, but again, i am sure finn nipping will be an issue?

AAAARRRGGHHHH i do have a spare 24" tank, but that would mean running with x5 tanks in my flat when i set myself a limit of 3, AAAARRRGGGHHH (i used to have x9 tanks in my small flat)

I guess i could stick the x6 Figure of 8's in the 24" and make it Brackish?

I guess x6 Figure of 8's in a 24x12x15 would be pushing it? Another upgrade would be due i guess quite soon...