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FAQs about Freshwater Puffer Selection

Related Articles: The Nice Puffer: Colomesus asellus, the South American Puffer by Neale Monks, Freshwater Puffers, Alone But Not Lonely: The Importance of Keeping Puffers Individually by Damien Wagaman, Freshwater to Brackish Puffers, Puffers in General, True Puffers, Family Tetraodontidae, (Big) Pufferfish Dentistry By Kelly Jedlicki and Anthony Calfo Small Puffer Dentistry By Jeni Tyrell (aka Pufferpunk),

Make sure and check for the temperament and likely maximum size of your livestock...

Freshwater Puffer Selection Help 9/18/09
Hello Pufferpunk (I assume),
<Nope. It's me, Neale.>
I am writing looking for advice on puffers. I have searched through the internet and have discovered that no 2 people who "know" the facts of puffers, "know" the same facts.
<Oh? I think there's actually a quite strong consensus on most species. Some argument over details, but the basics of things like social behaviour and water chemistry are generally agreed upon.>
I have encountered your advice in several places though and you are the "authority" (if I may call you such) that I would trust. (if someone else is answering this email-no disrespect intended).
<None taken.>
I am planning to set up a 55 gallon tank. I want it to be heavily planted and I LOVE puffers. My problem arises because I would like to have more then one fish.
<Not necessarily a problem, but you do have to choose your species very carefully.>
From what I can tell a lot of Freshwater puffers (if not all) are either huge or far too aggressive to risk another fish with them.
<Not correct. While it is probably true that no freshwater puffer is a completely safe community fish in the same way as, say, a Platy, that isn't to say you can't mix some puffers with some other types of fish. The South American pufferfish Colomesus asellus is an occasional fin-nipper but otherwise a peaceful, gregarious species that does well in groups of its own kind alongside fast midwater fish and armoured catfish. The Red-tail puffer Carinotetraodon irrubesco is another species that is usually very peaceful; though territorial, it is small and stays close to the bottom of the tank, so mixes well with fast, midwater fish. I have both species in my 180-litre community tank:
http://homepage.mac.com/nmonks/Projects/pufferfish.html
They've been there for some years, and apart from the South Americans sometimes nipping at the Corydoras, there haven't been any problems at all.>
I would like to perhaps get a couple (or whatever is advisable for a harem) of Dwarf Puffers.
<The Dwarf Puffer Carinotetraodon travancoricus is definitely one species best kept with its own kind. It is a persistent fin- and scale-eater, and doesn't "play nice" with other fish. Yes, I know some people mix them with shrimps and Otocinclus catfish. However, while you're free to try the shrimps out, Otocinclus catfish are very difficult to keep alive for any length of time. The VAST MAJORITY die within months of import. They need lots of green algae (or a suitable substitute) and a very mature tank, and I certainly wouldn't add them to the tank until it was at least six months old.>
I think I would be okay territory wise. I have read your advice of 1 per 5 gallons being preferable. What I am wondering is are there other tank mates (non-puffer) I could keep with them.
<None.>
I have read they are still aggressive for their size, but, what about a larger fish species that could stand up for itself?
<Doesn't work like this. Fish don't "think" like people do, and it's incredibly dangerous to assume any animal thinks in the same way we do. Big fish don't say to themselves, "Hang on, I'm bigger than that silly little puffer!". What they do is their normal behavioural repertoire, and if in the wild that doesn't involve Dwarf Puffers, they aren't likely to have an appropriate reaction. Since Dwarf Puffers get some of their protein in the wild by sneaking up on big fish and biting their fins, it goes without saying that they have evolved traits that allow them to this efficiently.>
I really don't know...a cichlid species or something of the sort? I also really like clown loaches, but I would assume they are too peaceful.
<Nope. While Carinotetraodon irrubesco -- in my experience -- gets along well with equally aggressive, territorial cichlids such as Kribs, that's the only member of the genus Carinotetraodon that even comes close to being a community fish. All the other species in the genus are aggressive biters, in some cases extremely so, as with Carinotetraodon salivator, a very aggressive little fish!>
Thank you so much for your help and time. I think it is great that you are trying to educate people about these fish. I know that I had been easily led into buying a couple a few years back. I had loved them from first sight and gladly believed that an Figure 8 was fully freshwater and surprisingly peaceful, then when I learned the difference and adjusted my salinity to accommodate the fish properly, it unfortunately didn't handle the stress well and died. Then I went to find another brackish puffer for the tank and was convinced to purchase a nice red eyed puffer who also (of course-being actually freshwater) perished.
Anyway, I apologize for the rant, but, I hate the fact that some fish stores just don't bother to find out the truth about what they are selling, and I hate the fact that I didn't know enough to do my own research. Lesson Learned.
Thanks again.
Robyn
<Cheers, Neale.>

Re: Freshwater Puffer Selection Help 9/18/09
Neale,
<Robyn,>
Thanks so much for the prompt and informative reply. I truly appreciate it. I will research some more on the species you recommend. Have a great day! Robyn
<You're most welcome. Good luck with your selections! Cheers, Neale.>

Puffers, FW... sel..... - 11/26/07
Hi, I wanted to get a freshwater puffer, perhaps the Amazon puffer. Are they aggressive? I heard that they have sharp teeth but I have tons of snails for them to bite on so would that be okay? I do far have a African butterfly, platies and swordtails. Would this be okay to buy 2 puffers? Also, about how many snails will they eat and do Amazon puffers do best in freshwater or saltwater? Thanks for all your help.
<Greetings. The South American or Amazon Pufferfish (Colomesus asellus) is not an aggressive fish in the least. It is actually rather nervous and easily scared, and when kept alone or with aggressive tankmates never really settles down. HOWEVER, this isn't to say that they make perfect community fish. They do not. Amazon Pufferfish will nip the fins of their tankmates given the chance. Fast-moving fish like Bleeding Heart Tetras and Diamond Tetras seem to work well, but slower fish like Platies and definitely African Butterflyfish will be nipped regularly. The best way to keep South American Puffers is as a group on their own. They prefer to be kept in groups (I have three in the tank next to me here) and will spend all day swimming about on their own but at night cuddle up together in a corner. They are river-dwelling fish and need a long tank (not less than 1 meter) with plenty of water movement for exercise. They will eat snails, but prefer bloodworms and other insect larvae. On the other hand, they have very fast-growing teeth that usually need to be trimmed every 3-6 months. This isn't difficult, but can be scary the first time! Basically you need to sedate the fish by putting it into a 1 litre tub of water into which 1-4 drops of clove oil have been mixed (try a low dose, work upwards if required). Clove oil is sold in drug stores as an anesthetic of sorts. It makes fish very drowsy. Put the pufferfish in there to calm down, and then use cuticle clippers to remove excess tooth growth. Once you're done, net the fish out, place the net in the aquarium, and then release the puffer once it is scooting about happily. If you feed the fish lots of snails, you might not need to do this, but most people find they have to do it periodically. South American Pufferfish have a very wide distribution from the blackwater rivers of the Rio Negro where the water is soft and very acidic through to the Amazon estuary where the water slightly brackish. So they're adaptable. In aquaria, they do fine between pH 6-8, 5-20 degrees dH. They do not need salt in the water, though they will certainly tolerate brackish water up to around SG 1.005. In the wild though a different species of Colomesus, Colomesus psittacus, replaces the South American puffer in brackish and shallow marine environments. If you pick up a copy of this month's (December's) TFH magazine, I have an article about these puffers, how to keep them, and whether or not they make good community fish. Also has some nice pictures! Cheers, Neale

Dwarf Puffers, gen. 10/11/07
Hello All,
<Hi Eric, Pufferpunk here>
I have a question in regard to Dwarf Indian puffers (C. travancoricus). For the background, I have, I'd say, an "intermediate" level of experience with fish keeping.
I started out about a year ago, with fresh water fish in a 10gal (and no WWM, unfortunately). I was taught the basics by my roommate, who has had freshwater fish for years.
Then, about 6 months ago I discovered saltwater fish and had a 20gal high and a 55gal marine tank. I currently have the 55 gal tank running and with much help from WWM and MUCH, MUCH reading and emailing (a few times) questions, I believe I am on the right track there. Thanks for all the help!
<Glad to heat that. Successful fishkeeping is very rewarding & a joy!>
My question for today is in regard to my 20gal high tank. After it was thoroughly cleaned and re-setup, I am ready for some freshwater fish.
Here is the setup:
20 gal high
-Aquaclear Mini Hang On Filter
-Maxijet 400 powerhead
-Heater
-Standard fluorescent lighting
<I would go with the Aquaclear 300 (or whatever they're calling it now). You won't need a powerhead for dwarf puffers--it will just blow them around.>
I would like to add some Dwarf Indian puffers, as I'm a huge fan of puffers in general and these I believe, are the only strictly freshwater pufferfish that are both available at local retailers and are actually OK LONG TERM for such a small volume tank.
<Actually, there are many freshwater puffers that would do fine in your 20g. See: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/BrackishSubWebIndex/fwbracpuffers.htm
http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Freshwater/ >
If I do choose to add the Dwarf's, how many could I have? I have read the "1 per 3 gallon rule"... so that would be six total and hopefully 1 male and 4-5 females, correct? Or is that pushing it?
It is better to keep 1/5g but if you have the tank heavily decorated (DPs love live plants & spawn readily in them), breaking up lines of sight, 1/3g (actual water volume) is fine. Your plan for a harem is good!>
Also, as I know is true with Cichlids, it's best to overcrowd because the larger will pick on the smaller fish and if there are higher numbers it lessens and distributes aggression between a higher number of fish. Is the same true with the Dwarf puffers?
<No, puffers are territorial & need their space.>
If yes and I need to add 5 or 6 fish, how do I acclimate them? Should I add them all at once?
<That is usually best.>
If so, I doubt the tank will be sufficiently cycled, correct? (I could use Bio-Spira but will that be enough??)
<Sure will! Add the Bio-Spira directly to your filter, right before you add the puffers.>
However, I'm also aware of the downsides of adding one or two at a time. I guess my real question is, what is the lesser of two evils?
<If you can really be sure of the sexes, you should add them all at once.
Sexing Dwarf puffers:
http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/library/puffers-in-focus/sexing-Carinotetraodon-travancoricus-the-dwarf-puffer/ Just be prepared for the ones that don't play well with others & have an alternate plan for them. Maybe ask the LFS about the chance of exchanging them if they all don't get along or their sex isn't what you thought, when they mature.>
I have read a lot about puffers on WWM and have gone to the dwarf puffer website that Pufferpunk recommends but I have yet to find an answer to this. If you have any other suggestions for this, I would really appreciate it!
<Well, here you just came right to the source!>
Also, I've read conflicting information on this but is sand OK for freshwater tanks, as long as it's less than 1 inch? I'd much prefer that.
<A shallow sandbed is fine. I have been reading a lot of complaints lately about folks not being able it keep it clean though. Otocinclus make good dwarf puffer tank mates & may help with some of their maid service.>
Thanks a lot for all the help! Eric
<You're very welcome! ~PP>

Re: Dwarf Puffers, puffer sel. period 10/13/07
Hello Pufferpunk,
<Hi again, Eric>
Thank you very much for the help in regard to the puffers! I actually went to one (national named) LFS and saw about 5 dwarves but they were awful looking. It was a sad sight. Needless to say, I did not buy them. I can't encourage that type of care.
<Congratulations for not "rescuing" those fish! I can't stress enough to folks that think they're doing the fish a favor by rescuing them, DON'T DO IT! The shop will see them as a good seller & just order more of them to be mistreated/killed, while removing them from the wild--depleting the natural population of the species.>
As for the other puffers, I have read the articles/areas you suggested. I thought that the Green Spot. and the Figure Eight were brackish, no?
<Correct. F8s are best kept at a SG of 1.005. GSPs prefer marine conditions as adults & are brought from low-end BW on up, throughout their growing years. I know that 1st link is confusing, as they have the BW & FW on the same page.>
I really like the Tetraodon pustulatus but there's not too much info on them on the web. (Google search on WWM produced no results under the scientific name).
<That IS their scientific name. Beautiful fish!>
I have never seen them in any store around here either.
Are these quite rare?
<Good luck ever finding one & they are quite expensive. Maybe you could try & follow this thread: http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9955&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=pustulatus
They also get large--the same as a fahaka puffer, about 18".>
And just for some further clarification, are you suggesting that instead of my powerhead, I should instead have 2 Aquaclear HOB filters?
<The AC mini will not be large enough to handle the messy habits of a puffer in a 20g. I suggested 1 larger filter.>
Again, thanks a lot for your help!
<Good luck on your search! Check the Pufferpedia at the link I gave you for other FW puffer ideas. ~PP>
Eric

Mbu Puffer in Non-Cycled Tank 11/16/06
Hey,
<Hey yourself, it's Pufferpunk here.>
I own a 4 inch (not including tail) MBU Puffer and I've had it for a week so far.  He had been introduced to a tank that had been matured for a month and he has a very healthy appetite, eating everything from cockles, mussels, shrimp, bloodworm but the ammonia, nitrate and nitrite levels in the tank sky rocket so high that I have to do a 50% water change every 2 days to stop him from dying!
<I'd raise that to 80% daily, until you can get that tank cycled or your puffer will definitely not make it.  They are extremely sensitive to those toxins, because they are scaleless & have no gill covers.  What do you mean by, "matured for a month"?  If you just let the tank run for a month, that's not cycling the tank.  Or were there other fish that would equal the bioload of that puffer in there for that month & the water parameters were perfect (0 ammonia & nitrItes, <20 nitrAtes), then removed, when you placed the Mbu in there?  How big is the tank?  That puffer will grow VERY quickly, needing at least a 300g tank in 2 years, upgrading even larger after that.  If you don't understand the facts of cycling a tank, you may not be ready to house such an exotic fish like the Mbu.  Please do a search for "fishless cycling".  If you insist on keeping this fish & are prepared to buy it much larger tanks & huge filtration systems (including veggie refugiums, to keep the nitrates down), in the very near future, then you can instant cycle the tank with Bio-Spira.  Do an 80% water change, before adding it to your filter.>
I have a fully functioning filter and I regulate the amount of food he eats (around 2 cockles or 1 mussel a day) but the water gets dirty so quickly that I'm worried about his health. What can I do to keep the levels stabilized so I don't have to change the water so often and why is this happening?  I use Amquel to reduce the levels when I don't have time for a water change.
<You're going to have to MAKE time for this!  Eventually, plan on a 1,000 gallon tank for this beautiful, 30" tank-buster.  Forget about Amquel, it is just inhibiting the cycle.  Bio-Spira is the only way you're going to save this fish.  You may have to search around for it but more shops seem to be carrying it.  To dechlorinate, use Prime.
Please read this Mbu story, written by a puffer keeper of over 50 years: http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=150
I know it sounds like I'm being really hard on you but personally, I think these fish only belong in public aquariums or in the wild, where they have room to grow & swim.  ~PP>
Thanks, M

Pignose Puffer For Sale? 7/7/06
<Hi, Pufferpunk here>
Do you know where I can find a pignose puffer, all the sites I have been to have them but none in stock. I was wondering if you knew of any better sites?
<well, this fellow has one for sale but I think he's in Canada: http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4170 Have you tried Aquabid? ~PP>

Palembang Puffer Purchasing Problem - 11/30/05
I'm staying in Malaysia and I would like to purchase freshwater puffer fish, can you tell me the nearest place to purchase for example Singapore, Kuala Lumpur. The species I'm interested is Tetraodon palembangensis.
<Hi Louise. Although I'm closer to you than many on the crew (I'm in China), I can't offer you any specific advice on where to find a Palembang puffer. I understand that both KL and Singapore have good fish street markets, but I would expect finding a Palembang is pot luck.
I saw a number of freshwater puffers on my last trip to Tung Choi St in Hong Kong, so there are undoubtedly a few around. If you are equidistant between KL & SG, I would probably try SG (major exporter / transit hub of ornamental fish to the world). http://singaporetropicalfish.com has a database of fish stores in SG... there are telephone numbers, so you can call ahead if your trip will be long. Good luck! John>
<<Hong Kong is another HUGE source of live fish (good source for many f/w tropicals, imported often into the U.S.). Usually sold for the food market, but I'm sure they'll sell you anything they have for any reason. Marina>>

What puffer fish to get? 9/4/05
Hello, <Hi there!> I have been an aquarist for four years now. Most of the time I've kept  Firemouth cichlids and Chinese algae eaters, but recently I have become interested in starting a puffer aquarium. I have a 25 gallon glass tank with plants, rocks, and drift wood. I was wondering if you could suggest some puffer fish that wouldn't mind other tank mates and
that aren't too picky about water chemistry. <Puffers in general are sensitive fish and require clean water at all times.  The only freshwater puffers that will both tolerate other tank mates as well as be appropriately housed in a 25g tank are the dwarf puffer (Carinotetraodon travancoricus) or the Amazon puffer (Colomesus asellus).  The asellus is quite a bit of work though as he is extremely sensitive to ich and will need a constant diet of snails or regular teeth trimmings to keep his beak in check, while the travancoricus is very small and in danger of being eaten by tankmates and will nip the fins of tankmates.  All other freshwater puffers are of a difficult temperament and will not tolerate other tankmates and grow too large for your tank.  Good luck! ~Heather aka LinearChaos> I appreciate your help. Sincerely, Eric Fiedler

Dwarf Puffers  6/20/05
Hi Pufferpunk,
<Hi there!>
I'm upgrading a 10 gallon tank to a 29 gallon - it's almost cycled, only 1 ppm of nitrites left!
<Good job!>
Anyway, that leaves me with a 10 gallon cycled tank to play with.  I wanted to put 3 dwarf puffers in the tank-2 females and a male, along with an algae eating/clean up crew.
Current tank parameters:
10 gallon, heavily planted with a small (and growing) snail infestation.
Ammonia + Nitrites 0
Nitrates ~40 (that's what comes out of the tap, will I need to use some RO water to bring them down?)
<You could, but 40 isn't quite toxic.>
pH ~7.6
Questions:
Are there any good identifying characteristics of dwarf puffers to tell them from, say, juvenile any other kind of puffer?  I want to double check my LFS.
<Look here: www.thepufferlist.com>
To sex: Males should have a dark ventral line and possibly wrinkles
behind their eyes.
What would you add for bottom feeders/clean up crew?  Corys would be cool but I think they like their water a little acidic.  Many people seem to keep Otos with them, what is your opinion?  Shrimp?  I love shrimp and have some Amano ones now that are really nice, but I'm afraid they'd be expensive puffer food.  Would you introduce the shrimp or Otos before or after the puffers?
<Otos & shrimp seem to work for most folks w/DPs.  See: www.dwarfpuffers.com>
Speaking of food.  The puffers will get frozen bloodworms, some flake food and frozen brine shrimp.  As well as all the snails they can catch as I keep trying to rid my other tank of them.  Is that a sufficient diet?
<Try freeze-dried plankton too.  I doubt they'll eat flakes.  Brine shrimp aren't very nutritious--mostly water.
Like other fish, should I feed them 2x per day, as much as they can eat in a minute or two?
<Sounds good but skip one day/week.>
I currently have a hang on the back Whisper filter.  Do I need to upgrade to better filtration?  Will weekly 20% water changes suffice or is it a wait and see game?  I don't mind adding a canister filter, but don't really want to spend the money unnecessarily.
<although I prefer Aquaclear filters, the filter you have should be fine.  I do 50% weekly water changes on my tanks.>
Thanks, Catherine
<Enjoy your new friends!  ~PP>

- Info about Tetraodon suvatti -
Hi,
<Hello, JasonC here...>
Been reading your site for quite some time now, very informative on all aqua subjects....love your site ! :) I'm looking for more info on a puffer "Tetraodon suvatti", the arrowhead puffer/pignose puffer. I tried google-ing your site or the web, but I couldn't find much info. Have you had this puffer before? <No.> My LFS had 2 in, they sold one the first day. Then the other one was kept with a clown knife(4"), 4 red snakeheads(5") and 2 lung fish. Yesterday when I went by to check it out again, it's now in it's own tank - he killed every other fish!! Yeah, so....all I know now is that he'll be quite aggressive, no tankmates. <Well... I think like many things, your mileage might vary. Like most puffers, they will eat most anything that fits in their mouth, but for the most part are 'supposed' to be peaceful. Of course, the puffer might not have read the same books I did so...> But I would like to know if they're freshwater or brackish? <Freshwater.> What temperature should they be kept in? <Tropical temperatures - 75-80F> ( my house is pretty hot during the summer, it could get to 29/30 C with just room temperature) And tank size? <As large as you please... seeing as this one might end up being kept singly, you probably don't need anything too large, a 55 would be excellent. These fish only grow to about 4.5". You might consider a sand bottom as these fish bury themselves to hide and wait for food.> Kevin <Cheers, J -- >

Fish as Gifts?  7/20/04
Hi PP,
<Hello>
Thanks again so much. I'll let y'all know how the "surprise" went in September.
<I just got another post from a native of the UK at my puffer forum, http://puffer.proboards2.com.  I started a thread there about puffers in the London area.
"Hi, I live in London.  The best place to buy puffers here are from the chain of shops called Maidenhead Aquatics. There's quite a few around London. Their website is www.fishkeeper.co.uk, there's map showing all their stores. But best one is in Guilford just outside London, that's where I bought my Mbu puffer. The staff there specialize in puffers."
TP
<I would go to my puffer site & keep an eye out for more info there.  Have fun shopping!  ~PP>

Freshwater Puffers for Beginners?  9/13/-4
Hi guys,
<Hi, Pufferpunk here>
Just to check with you, which types of freshwater puffers are suitable for beginners as I really love puffers a lot but the spotted puffers which I kept lived less than 3 weeks every time...
<Oooohh, that's not good! =o{  They definitely are not FW puffers!  I guess you need much more research on them.  Read my article: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/BrackishSubWebIndex/gspsart.htm>
Can freshwater puffers be kept together with blood parrot fish?
<I am presently keeping South American & dwarf puffers with a parrot cichlid & a frontosa in a 50g tank.  How large is your tank?  A parrot needs at least a 30g.  Puffers in general, are really not for beginners.  SAPs need a constant daily supply of snails to keep their fast-growing teeth trimmed.  Otherwise, you'll need to trim them by hand every 6 months or so. Here's an article on them: http://www.aaquaria.com/aquasource/sapuffer.shtml  You might be better off with some dwarves.  They still require special foods also, but are not as difficult to keep as SAPs.  They can get nippy though.  Here's a great website, devoted to them: www.dwarfpuffers.com.  Puffers are best kept in species only tanks.  ~PP>

Puffers on FAQ
Hi,
<Hello Laura>
I was just doing my daily (well, since I started reworking our tank) reading of the FAQ and came across the question on puffers.  These little guys are my favorite fish, and I have kept both species of green spotted, figure eights, freshwater dwarfs, Canthigaster valentini, C. jactator, and C. solandri (have avoided the larger dog-faced and spiny marine puffs due to tank size).  I was hoping you could forward this message on to Tyler Re: what species of puffer to keep in a 20 tall and ordering puffers online.
For a 20H, you could keep 1-2 figure eights (sg 1.005), 1 green spotted (sg 1.010-1.015), or 1-2 male and 3-5 female dwarf puffers (freshwater).  Dwarfs are notorious for coming in starving or with severe internal parasites (breeding them would be a noble goal considering how many are lost in the import process).
<Agreed>
I've seen three batches from three different sources (two different LFSs and another group ordered online for a total of 18 fish) drop like flies even with heavy feeding of vitamin-soaked, meaty frozen and live foods (these guys just won't eat dried foods, not even krill like the larger species).  They also really need lots of live plants to hide from each other when things get sticky.  Sexing can be accomplished as cited in other sources: males are not as round and have a dark brown dorsal stripe and yellow bellies.  For a first time puffer owner, I would really not recommend them because they tend to be very delicate.
<Yes... need to be quarantined for weeks, fed foods laced with anti-protozoals, anthelminthics... like Metronidazole/Flagyl, Piperazine, Praziquantel... to eliminate internal parasites.>
  As far as ordering puffers
online, I wouldn't worry about fig eights and green spotteds if your source is keeping them in brackish but I absolutely would not order dwarfs online.
These are fish you really need to see in person before you buy, and even then buying them is a fairly big gamble.  I finally got some successful ones that had been started by someone else for a few months; your best bet is probably to find another hobbyist who has been keeping them long-term.
Anyways, I'm sure you guys already know all of this and just don't have time to make such an in-depth reply to every single person who e-mails you, so I hope me typing it all out will help :).
<Thank you for the excellent input. You will have aided many, and saved many fishes thereby. Bob Fenner>
Thanks,
Laura

Mbu Puffer $
Sing along now: "How much is that puffer in the big tank?" (04/18/03)
<Ananda here tonight, with apologies to puffers and doggies in windows....>
Hi, My name is Peta Greenway, and I was wondering if you could give me an idea of the retail value of my 18"-20" Mbu Puffer? People keep inquiring about purchasing him and I have no idea what he is worth.
<My goodness, that's a big one.... A bit of research found a 4"-5" Mbu going for $87.50 (though that etailer's prices run high), and one person paid £80 (about $126) for a 10" Mbu. But I found no prices for Mbu puffers anywhere near the size of yours. I think you would be completely justified in asking $200 or more for him.>
Also, do you know (rough ballpark) how many large Mbu's are out there?
<Probably extremely few! The largest Mbu I found mentioned online was 15".>
I have been trying to find other owners to compare notes with. Thank You, Petapyropeta@******.com
<You're welcome. --Ananda>

Male-Female Ratio for the Dwarf Puffers? 5/1/04
Thanks for the advice, it has been heeded.
Could you advise me on the best male: female ratio for the dwarf puffers?
<Best is 1 male to 2-3 females, or all females in a smaller (<10g) tank. ~PP>
Cheers, Liam

Availability of Mbu puffers
Hi Robert, I am looking to stock a 29gal tank with some sort of puffer (it is empty now). Can you tell me where to look for a Mbu puffer?
<Your better retailers should be able to "special order" you one. If not them, the etailers about can do so. A few of these are listed on our links pages: http://wetwebmedia.com/links.htm
And
where to find out water chemistry requirements?
<It's a bit of work, but I'd use fishbase.org: for instance, cut and paste this URL: http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=10103
for the Mbu puffer... you can insert any common or scientific name in Fishbase's search feature... it will give you habitat information for many species, references (albeit scientific) for many. Have you read through the FAQs on freshwater and brackish puffers posted on our site?: http://wetwebmedia.com/fwpufferfaqs.htm
Other people's Mbu puffer queries/my responses there>
If not this species
maybe a more available one like green spotted or Congo. Thanks for any
info you can provide.
Jesse
Durham, NC USA
<Keep studying my friend. Bob Fenner>

Where can I buy this fish? (Schoutedeni Puffer)
Do you know where I can find this fish to buy? Do you have any information on it? Books? Does it eat plants? Can I have it in a 20 gallon planted aquarium by itself?
<Have a bit on this species posted here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fwpuffers.htm
Can likely be special-ordered through a good sized livestock-carrying fish store... or a good etailer of same (links: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/links.htm
Not a plant eater, territorial with its own kind, so likely one to your twenty gallon system. Fine solitarily. Bob Fenner>
Thanks
David

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