Freshwater puffers

[ZonkyTheDonkey]

Hey guys, I've posted before about puffers, but I'm still not sure which direction i want to take my 40g tank. I've been reading conflicting information on the net about which puffer species are truly freshwater and which aren't.

I've been told so far that Dwarf Puffers, Hairy Puffers, and Figure 8's are the more common FW species.

Do you guys have any stocking recommendations as to which FW species including ones I haven't mentioned I could make work in my 40g?

[skullduggery1]

The south american freshwater puffer(colomesus asellus) is one of the least abrasive,in a community situation.The other species will bite chunks out of most fish.Plus, the puffer lives quite far up the amazon with little to no salinity.

[ZonkyTheDonkey]

Thanks for the reply about the SAPs, I looked up some info on these guys and it says it recommends a sand substrate but i have a softer rounded gravel. Do you think this will be a problem for puffers if I get them?

If it will be, I've read about pool filter sand and how that should be good but I wouldnt even know how to go about changing all the substrate. Would this affect my cycling process going on at all? Also how many of the South American Puffers would you recommend for a 40g?

[Cermet]

Changing substrate has no effect on the cycle - those bacteria are in the filter (and why you never change filter media!)

Changing out substrate is not difficult. Just rehouse any fish (but don't have to), scoop out hold gravel; clean the new sand, and using a large cup, gently lower the cup full of sand and pour it into place.\

If the tank is very cloudy, just drain out most the water and slowly replace or just wait - it will clear in a day or two.