Topaz Puffer In Pure Fw Enviroment?

[RipSlider]

Hello all.

My LFS has a group of topaz puffers. I was thinking about adding one to my brackish tank, but the owner, who I respect, tells me that there have been acclimtized to fresh water, and there is no need to use brackish systems.

The fish look healthy, fat and are eating well. He showed me a couple of them that have been in his personal fw tank for 5 months, and they look great.

However, this contradicts what I have read about them, becuase I understood that thy were brackish, and fairly high brackish at that.

do you think it's worth the risk? I would prefer to keep them in my FW tank but not at the expense of having sick fish.

For info, these puffers are fully gown. Have been told they are approx 1 year old.

Thanks

Steve

 

[Fella]

Regardless of what kind of water you hav them in, a bigger problem would be getting these fish to play nicely in an already established setup.

Long term, they've been shown to do better in a high brackish environment. I'd stick by that.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

since fella skirted around this issue, please be aware that topaz puffers are notorious fin-eaters and are infamous for dive-bombing tankmates. they're nasty, vicious little pretties.

 

[pandacichlid]

since fella skirted around this issue, please be aware that topaz puffers are notorious fin-eaters and are infamous for dive-bombing tankmates. they're nasty, vicious little pretties.

I've heard that DP's are known for 'dive-bombings' too!
cute, but cruel

 

[nmonks]

My LFS has a group of topaz puffers. I was thinking about adding one to my brackish tank, but the owner, who I respect, tells me that there have been acclimtized to fresh water, and there is no need to use brackish systems.

Rubbish. They simply don't do as well in freshwater as brackish, regardless. I don't think it's simply a case of "they move into salt water as they mature" because wild fish are categorically referred to as freshwater fish, only entering brackish water as they move about looking for food. They aren't like salmon that breed in freshwater but live in the sea.

The fish look healthy, fat and are eating well. He showed me a couple of them that have been in his personal fw tank for 5 months, and they look great.

The difference in success takes years -- specimens in freshwater aquaria last something like 5 years or so, those in brackish over 10 years.

However, this contradicts what I have read about them, becuase I understood that thy were brackish, and fairly high brackish at that.

The actual salinity doesn't seem to be all that important. You can't get away with a "teaspoon of salt per gallon", but provided you have something like SG 1.010, the fish will do fine. Water quality and high TDS (specifically, carbonate hardness) is probably the key thing, as it is with most brackish water fish.

do you think it's worth the risk?

No.

If you want a group of puffers, South Americans are by far your best choice. They are very happy in groups, completely non-territorial, and utterly indifferent to water chemistry (and as far as I can tell, much the hardiest puffers in terms of water quality, too).

Cheers, Neale

 

[puffymeister]

Hello all.

My LFS has a group of topaz puffers. I was thinking about adding one to my brackish tank, but the owner, who I respect, tells me that there have been acclimtized to fresh water, and there is no need to use brackish systems.

The fish look healthy, fat and are eating well. He showed me a couple of them that have been in his personal fw tank for 5 months, and they look great.

However, this contradicts what I have read about them, becuase I understood that thy were brackish, and fairly high brackish at that.

do you think it's worth the risk? I would prefer to keep them in my FW tank but not at the expense of having sick fish.

For info, these puffers are fully gown. Have been told they are approx 1 year old.

Thanks

Hi, I have a topaz puffer in freshwater and he seems absolutely fine. The only thing I have noticed is that he changes colour as he moves about the tank, and having put this issue on the forum, it is possible he changes with his mood, if hungry, or uses it as a camouflage. He does not seem at all stressed and does not attack the other fish.
Steve

 

[pandacichlid]

My LFS has a group of topaz puffers. I was thinking about adding one to my brackish tank, but the owner, who I respect, tells me that there have been acclimtized to fresh water, and there is no need to use brackish systems.

Rubbish. They simply don't do as well in freshwater as brackish, regardless. I don't think it's simply a case of "they move into salt water as they mature" because wild fish are categorically referred to as freshwater fish, only entering brackish water as they move about looking for food. They aren't like salmon that breed in freshwater but live in the sea.

The fish look healthy, fat and are eating well. He showed me a couple of them that have been in his personal fw tank for 5 months, and they look great.

The difference in success takes years -- specimens in freshwater aquaria last something like 5 years or so, those in brackish over 10 years.

However, this contradicts what I have read about them, becuase I understood that thy were brackish, and fairly high brackish at that.

The actual salinity doesn't seem to be all that important. You can't get away with a "teaspoon of salt per gallon", but provided you have something like SG 1.010, the fish will do fine. Water quality and high TDS (specifically, carbonate hardness) is probably the key thing, as it is with most brackish water fish.

do you think it's worth the risk?

No.

If you want a group of puffers, South Americans are by far your best choice. They are very happy in groups, completely non-territorial, and utterly indifferent to water chemistry (and as far as I can tell, much the hardiest puffers in terms of water quality, too).

Cheers, Neale

This person gives really relevant advice
yeah south american puffers do well in loose groups, but I have only two together which have gotten on fine
good luck anyway