Bettas & spotted Green Puffers--Tankmates?

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Livewire_T

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Hi everyone... I have a question (have been looking for info on the web to no avail). :huh:

I have had a Betta fish for a couple of months, and recently bought a 10 gal tank for him. He looked so lonely in there so I decided that he should have a friend. Well, I picked this cool looking fish called a Spotted Green Puffer. After adding him to the tank, I did my research online, and found out that the Puffer needs "brackish" water.

My question is... Can a betta live in brackish water?


Well, it also seems that the Betta is bullying the Puffer and I have them currently seperated. Also... Are they good tankmates?


Any response would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
No betta in freshwater. Also, a GSP will kill it. Just about anything without long, flowing fins would be fine with a betta in a ten.

A GSP needs at least a 29gal by himself. They are very aggressive. They do need brackish water that will eventually increase to saltwater.You'll need to get marine salt and a hydrometer. Start him out at 1.004. Acclimate him slowly. Of course, the tank would already be cycled. They will only eat frozen and live foods, mostly bloodworms and pond snails (set up a small breeding tank) If they don't get something to wear down their beaks, you'll need to trim their teeth. HTH

If you can't give the GSP what it needs, take him back. If you really want one, then you can get another one when you're ready.
 
betta's and puffers are terrible tank mates, although bettas are agressive there not that strong so the puffer will just nip all the fins off. Plus bettas cant live long term in brackish water
 
Thank you all for the advice. I will be keeping them both seperated, and setting up my brackish aquarium very soon. I want to keep the GP, so i'm going to the fish store in the morning to buy the salt and some live foods for him. My Betta does just fine in the 2.5 gal tank.
 
Don't forget to cycle the aquarium before you put him in it (could take a few weeks). Add a hydrometer to your list, or else you won't have a clue as to how much marine salt to put in there.
 
You must not place a puffer into an uncycled tank. Buy Bio-Spira for an instant cycle, & pour it into your filter. Otherwise, please return the puffer, until it can get into a cycled tank. don't worry about raising the specific gravity, till the tank is cycled. You need a hydrometer to measure that.
 
Yes, I'm going to the store ASAP to get that Biospyra. My puffer is in an uncycled freshwater tank at the time being, and I was going to post a question of what exactly do I need to get to start up the cycling process fast. It seems that the Bio-Spira will get things off to a good start. And of course the hydrometer.

I really like the little guy, and don't want to return him...I just want him to be happy & healthy. He seems listless right now, but not sick.

Thanks so much for the info guys:)
 
It may be difficult to find. Do not let the store sell you anything other than B-S!
 
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