I’m in TOTAL shock!

[freshwaterfishlover]

Yesterday I bought one 5 1/2” or so sized Tiger Shovelnose Catfish and I also bought a Dwarf/Pea sized Puffer. The Puffer was only $3.99 so I though I’ll do an experiment and see how long it last in the tank with a 12-14” Gar.
I though no more then 30 minutes and the Puffer will be snacked up by the Gar. I put 3 Ghost Shrimp in months ago and 1 was eaten with in minutes and the other 2 were gone in 12 hours.
I put it in the tank yesterday around 10pm and today at about 5:30pm the Puffer is still swimming around like it owns the tank. I’m in total shock. Now this morning I did see the Gar attack the Shovelnose Catfish. It got the fins of its tail in its mouth,but the Catfish got away. Still alive.

[discusluv]

These types of experiments just never have appealed to me.
But, hey, to each his/her own.

[freshwaterfishlover]

I never done this before. I just was very curious to see if the Puffer would live and I highly doubted it. 1 in 100 chance and I was wrong.
The Puffer is a quarter inch only. If it lives a week I will add another Pea/Dwarf Puffer. Every week I don’t lose a Puffer I will add another till I have a good size school. If I lose one that’s went I will stop.

[Slaphppy7]

These types of experiments just never have appealed to me.
But, hey, to each his/her own.

Agreed. Knowingly mixing fish that are not compatible, causing what will certainly be stress in the tank for the weaker fish, makes absolutely no sense to me.

[Kirstin_orion113]

I never done this before. I just was very curious to see if the Puffer would live and I highly doubted it. 1 in 100 chance and I was wrong.
The Puffer is a quarter inch only. If it lives a week I will add another Pea/Dwarf Puffer. Every week I don’t lose a Puffer I will add another till I have a good size school. If I lose one that’s went I will stop.

That’s quite an intense experiment. What is the point of eventually having a “school” of puffers?

[freshwaterfishlover]

Never thought the Puffer would live and they do look nice.

[BluewaterBoof]

You may not see as much enthusiasm from your fellow members. Your experiment, while clinically interesting, may not sit well with some members. Most here strive to avoid aggression in their tanks and don't like seeing unnecessary violence, so you're kind of going against the grain. Some will see your actions as being a bit reckless or even sadistic due to the fact that you're interested in seeing whether the animal get torn up or not.

Morality aside, it is interesting to note that it has been left alone. I'm not sure if that will last long. It may just be sheer luck that it has been left alone for the time being, but it will definitely be cool if the species end up living peacefully with one another.

Every week I don’t lose a Puffer I will add another till I have a good size school.

I've never really heard of puffers schooling together. My understanding is that they will spread out and kind of avoid each other, but it will be interesting to see how it works out for you.

[freshwaterfishlover]

It's 2 1/2 days and it's still alive.

[Rocksor]

Why chance it at adding one a week? Groups survive better in larger numbers. If the goal is to see if they will co-habitate then give the small puffers a fighting chance and buy a bunch (10+). Buying one at a time is just forcing stress on the one little guy.

What you are doing is not unusual or hasn't been done before (large predator + small prey).
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[freshwaterfishlover]

I think after 3 1/2 days it was eaten. I saw it this morning, but just now when I got home I don’t see it.