Puffers???

[TehTANK]

I am thinking about doing a large puffer tank.(90 Gallon) I would need to change my substrate to sand...which I would need help with and some answers on what is best and how to do so.

Anyone here have puffers in a tank around this size? What do they like. I am having a hard time finding information.

What kind of experiences have people had with puffers? What does your tank look like? What do they eat mostly and what is best for them?

Do I have to do live plants?

Thanks for your help.

[cocoa_pleco]

Wayyyyy back i had my 120g. I had a few puffers in there. They had a fake planted/driftwood section, and ate a few crickets a week and bloodworm and flakes. I didnt have sand, but they did fine

[holbritter]

I know a little about Dwarf puffers. Don't think that's the kind your talking about with that size tank though!

The dwarfs need heavily planted tanks, mainly to break their line of site to each other (very aggressive) and for their interest. Caves and hidey places are appreciated, as they claim their "territories" They are pretty intelligent and need things to keep their interest/attention.

Most will not eat flakes at all. Bloodworms and pond snails are the most I hear about, and plan on feeding mine those.

Kimmers knows quite a bit about puffers (that's where I got my info :ezpi_wink1: ) and I think she has other than the dwarfs, but not sure.

Sorry...that's about all I know right now.

[TehTANK]

Thanks! I will wait for Kimmers to reply. I appreciate the help! Still undecided on what I want to do with my 90 Gallon now that Bubba is gone.... :(

[Lady Hobbs]

Sure would make a nice rainbow or discus tank Frank.

[TehTANK]

That is true Hobbs it would. I am not sure though. The wife really wants Puffers. She loves them. It is a large tank so I am not sure what I am going to do......I still miss my bubba. :(

[TehTANK]

What does everyone think of a Mbu Puffer. I think I have a large enough tank for one of them and I think they look sweet. Anyone ever take care of one of them?

[kimmers318]

Don't have much info on larger puffs, but I can tell you that most don't play well with others, some have success keeping the same species together with the right decorating. As with most fish, it is still up to the puffer if they will accept anything in their tank.
Mbu reach 30" and require a 1000gal tank! It might be a better choice to go with a fahaka....beautiful markings, although there you are still looking at 18" needing 125 gallons. The big thing would be the footprint, our 90 gal is tall rather than long.
Check out pufferresources.net and thepufferforum.com for great profile information on fw, bw and sw puffs! You will find someone in those forums too that has or has had just about every species of puffer you would be able to find.
Good luck, get your snail breeding program going and keep us posted!