Spotted Puffer

[RyJ]

Does anyone know a really good site which gives information on the care of these fish?

In our store's catalogue they are listed under 'freshwater fish'. However, I always thought they were Brackish.

How much salt should be added to their water?

Would the salt levels have to be monitored as strickly as marine fish?

Thanks!


- RyJ

 

[OrionGirl]

There are actually several species of puffers that are freshwater. Without knowing the species, it's impossible to say, since many different species are called spotted puffers. Here's a website that may help you determine the species: http://www.pufferfish.co.uk/ Many LFS have brackish species in FW conditions, but the fish won't thrive long term in FW. This means you may need to slowly bring the salinity up to bracksih conditions, instead of starting out brackish and dumping the fish straight in.

If the puffer is brackish, it will need to have the specific gravity somewhere between about 1.005 and 1.010. This level is easiest to maintain with a hydrometer--just like for a marine system. A few people will say using X tablespoons of salt per Y gallons will work, but with that method you can't track the salinity in the tank (evaporation raises salinity in the tank), so I fail to see how you can really know what's going on without using a hydrometer.

 

[Firsttanks]

I've found a couple of good sites, http://petfish.net/puffer.htm has some good info on raising puffers. http://puffernet.tripod.com
also has good info, but the popups are annoying. You could try
http://www.tomgriffin.com/aquasource/ , there are some good articles in the archives, as well as new ones monthly, I think.
This one is my fav so far
http://www.pufferfish.co.uk/aquaria/index.htm

Hope these help.

Oh ya, about their needs, here is a quote from Pufferfish.co.uk

"Spotted puffers require brackish water, although they can be kept in freshwater as juveniles.

Spotted puffers enjoy a tank with crevices and caves. Try using bogwood and rock to create this effect and you will have a happy fish who will spend most of the day searching around the tank. Plants can also be added although these are not essential and may be hard to grow in brackish conditions

Temperature 24C to 28C
pH 7.5 to 8.5
Hardness to 20dH
Average Size in Aquarium 10cm
Average Size in Wild 17cm

Temperament Mildly aggressive to aggressive. Habits include fin nipping, harrasing other fish and in some cases aggression towards other fish. "

 

[Pufferpunk]

I would post your puffer questions in the brackish forum. There are lots of long time pufferkeepers (including Oriongirl & myself)) there. BTW, green spotted puffers are high end BW fish that I keep in almost full marine. I've had mine for aver a year now, & they are 5".