Senegal Bichir And Figure 8 Puffer

[Fruitbat]

Personally, I would never keep puffers with bichirs. I watched a trio of smallish puffers at a local fish store completely denude a Rope Fish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus...a Polypterid like the bichirs) of all of its fins and both of its opercula (gill covers) in a relatively short period of time. The Rope Fish didn't survive the onslaught.

Puffers are, in general, notorious fin-nippers and though they're relatively slow-moving they are relentless in their pursuit. I've been keeping bichirs for well over 30 years and have also kept a few species of puffers and I'll tell you right now that I'd never risk my bichirs with puffers.

-Joe

 

[starrynightxxi]

if you were really interested in keeping at least one puffer there's always the option of keeping the bichirs and doing a new set up for a dwarf. It would be another tank, but it needn't be large. i think a lot of people have them in 5-10g

 

[fry_lover]

Personally, I would never keep puffers with bichirs. I watched a trio of smallish puffers at a local fish store completely denude a Rope Fish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus...a Polypterid like the bichirs) of all of its fins and both of its opercula (gill covers) in a relatively short period of time. The Rope Fish didn't survive the onslaught.

Puffers are, in general, notorious fin-nippers and though they're relatively slow-moving they are relentless in their pursuit. I've been keeping bichirs for well over 30 years and have also kept a few species of puffers and I'll tell you right now that I'd never risk my bichirs with puffers.

-Joe

thanks for feedback, yes i am becoming very dubious about keeping Puffer's with my Bichir, my only option now is perhaps some South American Puffers, BUT, BUT and its a BIG but.... its my understanding that ALL puffers (even the so-called more Paceful SAP) are fin nippers FULL STOP, so i think the only option is a Puffer only set-up, maybe Brackish, which means i could keep the x6 Figure of 8's

 

[DarkEntity]

if you were really interested in keeping at least one puffer there's always the option of keeping the bichirs and doing a new set up for a dwarf. It would be another tank, but it needn't be large. i think a lot of people have them in 5-10g

Usually its recommended that 1 Dwarf Puffer per 3 gallons in a heavily planted tank..ignore their size they are vicious little buggers

 

[fry_lover]

if you were really interested in keeping at least one puffer there's always the option of keeping the bichirs and doing a new set up for a dwarf. It would be another tank, but it needn't be large. i think a lot of people have them in 5-10g

Yes me thinks you is correct, i have these x6 Figure of 8's, maybe i could keep some and do a brackish just for them? Although the only tank available is just a 24x12x15, which i think is about a 12.5 UK Gallon (16 US Gallon)

if you were really interested in keeping at least one puffer there's always the option of keeping the bichirs and doing a new set up for a dwarf. It would be another tank, but it needn't be large. i think a lot of people have them in 5-10g

Usually its recommended that 1 Dwarf Puffer per 3 gallons in a heavily planted tank..ignore their size they are vicious little buggers

How about i just stick to my Figure of 8's and go Brackish? Although the problem is i have x6 of the little cuties and only a 2-foot tank available (as described above)

 

[Lhutch]

thats no good,just return them or return the bichir if you want puffs,what you have and water parameters arent good for puffs with the bichir or lack of salt

 

[fry_lover]

thats no good,just return them or return the bichir if you want puffs,what you have and water parameters arent good for puffs with the bichir or lack of salt

what's no good mate? I thought i was clear that if i kept the Figure of 8's i was going to do a Brackish for them? Thanks for inputing on the thread though, appreciated either way.

 

[Lhutch]

are u saying your gonna put 6x fig 8s in a 16 us gallon?

 

[fry_lover]

are u saying your gonna put 6x fig 8s in a 16 us gallon?

okay i get you now, yes thats the only option if i keep them, which i have now decided not to, as there's no point in a 2-foot tank as i'd only need to upgrade straight away, so basically unfortunately they are going to the LFS tomorrow and the Puffer dream will have to be put on hold for now.

As cute as they are (the Puffers), i have decided to go down the Bichir route

PS - its a damn shame as i know the LFs will then sell these Figure 8's as "freshwater" fish like they do with all their other Brackish Puffers. Thats why i was tempted to keep them, even in a 2-foot for now as atleast it would be Brackish

Never mind

 

[Lhutch]

yea but this way there alive and kicken(well probably),bichirs are very nice fish