To the puffer experts out there...

GreenSpottedPuffer · #1 01-03-2009, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my2rotties

I should have just Pmed you... I don't know any other puffer expert on here. I recall you mentioned certain puffers could not be kept together. I was hoping it was not the porkies. I would never try to keep things together without asking first... I learned the hard way with Gryphon.

Thanks for the info, it would not even be considered now. I figured I would see if was an option. I wish I could have helped this canreefer out.

There are very few times multiples of the same species will work in an aquarium long term. You will hear people say all the time "We'll my guys have been fine together..." but usually they are either still very young or there is a big enough size difference to make it ok, for a while. But long term (over a few years), its just a bad idea.

my2rotties · #2 01-03-2009, 11:59 PM

Yes, and you know I plan on keeping everybody long term. When I brought Griff home I had problems that we because my lack of knowledge. It was a bumpy start, but I would never even consider bringing my big boy back or selling him. He's more work then I expected, but worth all the work I put into him. I tried feeding him for company to behold his "eating habits" and of course he did not perform for them. I guess that means he must really like my hubby and I

.

Ickie is doing great and she knows just to wait for Griff to eat. There is always carnage and all the fish gobble up the bits and pieces. You were right about the dogfaces, they are very shy and don't get in anyone's way. Ickie does not go to the bottom of the tank and submit though, she just waits for the right time to nab her food. She is still getting used to me and I know she will eat from my hands soon... if Griff doesn't come swipe it first.

I'm sad I can't help out with the puffer, I really wanted to give him a nice home. His owner really loves him, and wants no hard to come to him either. It's sad I couldn't help out.
I really have no idea of how much that guy could eat...

GreenSpottedPuffer · #3 01-04-2009, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my2rotties

Yes, and you know I plan on keeping everybody long term. When I brought Griff home I had problems that we because my lack of knowledge. It was a bumpy start, but I would never even consider bringing my big boy back or selling him. He's more work then I expected, but worth all the work I put into him. I tried feeding him for company to behold his "eating habits" and of course he did not perform for them. I guess that means he must really like my hubby and I

.

Ickie is doing great and she knows just to wait for Griff to eat. There is always carnage and all the fish gobble up the bits and pieces. You were right about the dogfaces, they are very shy and don't get in anyone's way. Ickie does not go to the bottom of the tank and submit though, she just waits for the right time to nab her food. She is still getting used to me and I know she will eat from my hands soon... if Griff doesn't come swipe it first.

I'm sad I can't help out with the puffer, I really wanted to give him a nice home. His owner really loves him, and wants no hard to come to him either. It's sad I couldn't help out.
I really have no idea of how much that guy could eat...

You have a good thing going there...

Sounds like a typical Dogface. They can don't completely back down or submit but they certainly do stay away from "trouble" and don't usually start things with other fish. Porcs are quite different usually.

bulletsworld · #4 01-06-2009, 07:32 AM

Hey Diane,

Yes, I agree Porcupine puffers DO NOT get along with the same kind. It would never be worth the risk. Porcupine puffers get really territorial with their kind. If you see a few little guys together at a LFS you will always see the smaller one gets picked on. This happens the same for Boxfish (which I love them to)

Simon my Porcupine puffer has attacked a smaller porcupine puffer before. I'll never try it again. He was good with any other puffer though. He was with both a dogface and a star stripe puffer and he's was always docile. He eats lots too! I feed him stomotellia snails, live hitcher crabs, hermit crabs (on occasion), live snails and Krill.

I am not in a big hurry to find my Simon a home. the tank is all his. I just want to make sure he's got a perfect home, thats why I'm being selective. I honestly wouldn't put Simon through the travel there either, way too stressful for him. I appreciate you trying to help out though. I know if you didn't have your puffy you make a great home for my Simon.

See you soon with the Foxface.

chevyjaxon · #5 01-06-2009, 11:44 AM

how big of a tank does a puffer need? i have a 50 gallon plumbed into my 90 gallon through my sump my 90 is a mixed reef with tangs my 50 only has cheato in it maybe i could give simon a home? that is of course if 50 gallons is a big enough tank and he could have it all to himself

GreenSpottedPuffer · #6 01-06-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevyjaxon

how big of a tank does a puffer need? i have a 50 gallon plumbed into my 90 gallon through my sump my 90 is a mixed reef with tangs my 50 only has cheato in it maybe i could give simon a home? that is of course if 50 gallons is a big enough tank and he could have it all to himself

Add at least another 100G to that 50G and it might work. Eventually they should be in a 180 minimum.

my2rotties · #7 01-06-2009, 03:43 PM

I'm really sorry I could not take Simon... I figured I would ask to see if it would work. I would have paid for him too.

Who knew porkies could be so mean. I was surprised when GSP said they go after each other's eyes. My guy pays no attention to anybody. He seems like such an easy going happy go lucky guy. Mind you many fish cannot be kept with their own kind and yet when they're alone they are sweeties.

I know you will find Simon a good home. I know he means a lot to you, and you have had him for so long... I've had my Mandarine for over a year and he is one of my favorites since he is still thriving with all the mistakes I made at the start.

Take your time with the Foxface, you know the tank is waiting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulletsworld

Hey Diane,

Yes, I agree Porcupine puffers DO NOT get along with the same kind. It would never be worth the risk. Porcupine puffers get really territorial with their kind. If you see a few little guys together at a LFS you will always see the smaller one gets picked on. This happens the same for Boxfish (which I love them to)

Simon my Porcupine puffer has attacked a smaller porcupine puffer before. I'll never try it again. He was good with any other puffer though. He was with both a dogface and a star stripe puffer and he's was always docile. He eats lots too! I feed him stomotellia snails, live hitcher crabs, hermit crabs (on occasion), live snails and Krill.

I am not in a big hurry to find my Simon a home. the tank is all his. I just want to make sure he's got a perfect home, thats why I'm being selective. I honestly wouldn't put Simon through the travel there either, way too stressful for him. I appreciate you trying to help out though. I know if you didn't have your puffy you make a great home for my Simon.

See you soon with the Foxface.

GreenSpottedPuffer · #8 01-06-2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my2rotties

I'm really sorry I could not take Simon... I figured I would ask to see if it would work. I would have paid for him too.

Who knew porkies could be so mean. I was surprised when GSP said they go after each other's eyes. My guy pays no attention to anybody. He seems like such an easy going happy go lucky guy. Mind you many fish cannot be kept with their own kind and yet when they're alone they are sweeties.

I know you will find Simon a good home. I know he means a lot to you, and you have had him for so long... I've had my Mandarine for over a year and he is one of my favorites since he is still thriving with all the mistakes I made at the start.

Take your time with the Foxface, you know the tank is waiting.

I have seen schools of porcs while diving in the Caribbean. In Australia we even saw pairs of them swimming together all over the place. They get along fine in the ocean (like tangs or most fish) but not in aquariums...not long term anyways. You will hear of people saying its fine but usually they have not had them together long (under a few years) or as I said, one is small. It will work until that small one gets big. They are not like tangs where you will usually know right away if they are going to fight or not. They can be together for a while and then just snap one day. Almost always happens.

This is the only pic I could find but these two swam together on this entire dive. They stayed in our area the whole time too, it was very cool!

my2rotties · #9 01-06-2009, 05:24 PM

How big were these guys GSP? They look huge. Perhaps they were a mated pair, who knows? I don't know how fish work for mating and the likes. It must be awesome to see them in the wild like this. I hope that sopmeday I can go diving, but I don't know who will care for my fish.