Which of the two Monster Puffers : FAHAKA or MBU???

[redtailfool]

Always wanted to have one but have not decided on which one to get?
Somebody help me out .. FAHAKA or MBU??? Which one should i get and why??

[justwatching]

Always wanted to have one but have not decided on which one to get?
Somebody help me out .. FAHAKA or MBU??? Which one should i get and why??

mbu imo are much better looking

[Oddball]

If your tank is less than 300gals, go with the fahaka. Mbus put out a ton of waste, are intolerant of poor water quality, and grow to well over 2ft.

[Nic]

i like both but im more partial to the fahaka

[redtailfool]

great advice. I dont think i can spare a 300g tank for a single specimen ( space issue ). Whats the max size for a fahaka??

[PufferXtreme]

mbu's will get very tame and get on with most other fish as a rule. Nile's don't! Mbu's look good from the start and get better. Nile's are blotchy to begin with but turn into magnificently patterned animals. Both have beautiful caudal fins when they flare them. Body size and type are different, Mbu's are fairly slender Nile's are chunky and boxy.

DONT CHOOSE - IF YOU HAVE 2 TANKS GET BOTH!

[redtailfool]

nice answer PufferXtreme. Believe me i would if i had space.

[Bawb2u]

great advice. I dont think i can spare a 300g tank for a single specimen ( space issue ). Whats the max size for a fahaka??

Theoretically Fahaka get to 18" but I've only heard of one person growing one to that size. Largest I hear about are in the 13 inch range but better to prepare for 18" just in case.

[redtailfool]

Theoretically Fahaka get to 18" but I've only heard of one person growing one to that size. Largest I hear about are in the 13 inch range but better to prepare for 18" just in case.


Its that max size in aquaria vs max size in the wild thing.. which is another debate altogether.. thanks for the tip .

[piranha45]

mbus are prettier.

[redtailfool]

mbus are prettier.


Thanks but youre not making it harder for me to decide. I might go and get one tommorow. You guys are gonna know about it firsthand.

[Gr8KarmaSF]

Red, which one did you pick? dont forget to post pics!

[redtailfool]

Red, which one did you pick? dont forget to post pics!


Sigh.. the trip didnt push through today... member Pangong_ilong had a car
problem in NYC and had to have his car towed home. But the hunt is still on..maybe this coming weekend ? Ill def update you guys.

[myles]

oh go for the fahaka for sure, i have one, awesome fish, very personable. try and get soemthing at least 2 feet wide and at least 5 feet long, they use all the space. and believe me expect it to get at least 17" iv seen a few now that big so they definitely will get to that size. I was talking to a guy who has one that is 17" in a 180 g and its only 2 years old! they grow quick and eat a ton. you get one of these guys and you wont be disappointed. iv never had experience with mbu but they get like 30" so i would even bother with that, they do look nice tho.

[unknownuza13]

Its that max size in aquaria vs max size in the wild thing.. which is another debate altogether.. thanks for the tip .

Remember Li has a 18" or so one now

[redtailfool]

Remember Li has a 18" or so one now

Youre right... Totally forgot the numbers on that one. I backed out on that one too
only bec its already monstrous. Ill make up my mind soon. But keep on giving your tips and opinions .. its appreciated !

[Mourinho18]

I would go with a Fahaka because of size alone. 18 inches is what I've seen as max size for a Fahaka in captivity. I've got a few so I guess I'm a little partial. I don't understand why people say the mbu is prettier though. :confused:


Mbu Top

Fahaka Bottom

[demented_lullaby]

Heya,

Mbu puffers are the largest puffer available I believe. They need a minimum tank size of 300 gallons, otherwise they won't be able to turn properly. They normally won't tolerate any other fish, even other mbu's. They are fully fresh water unlike some sources say and definaetly need MUCH MUCH MUCH more than 50g like some places suggest. They can grow much larger than 30" even and like all puffers are VERY messy. Check out thepufferforum.org for more information.

Fahka don't need 300g, 125-150g would probably be suitable. They like to bury themselves in sand. At largest they are 17", usually being a bit less in the home aquarium.

It's good to add some salt for all puffers to help ward off diseases. They are great fish in general. I keep dwarfs right now(not exactly Monster LOL)and ordered a Figure 8. They do need to have shell based food though to keep their beaks down. Either way you may have to end up sedating the fish and clipping it's teeth. More info can be found on the site supplied above.

Good luck with whatever puffer you choose. They are rewarding pets, and yes I do use the word pet for them. They seem to love to people watch, even in fish stores when I see puffers they always seem to be staring at me. They seem to beg for food and nothing is more satisfying then seeing a puffer take down a snail, crush it with it's beak(fused teeth) and suck it on up.

[puffer_girl]

What ever you chose I'm excited for you!!! I myself have been wanting a Fahaka but I've been researching and am not in a huge hurry..... Want to do it right!!!! I love how the MBU's look (although I have seen some beautiful fahaka pics) but feel that taking one on is a huge responsibility due to their size and the amount of waste they produce. On top of doing partials for my palembangensis, I am suctioning the waste out of the bottom of the tank on a regular basis (at least every other day). This kind of regular maintenance in a 300 gal is harder to keep up with as opposed to a 125-150 gal!!! Plus I hear fahaka's have wonderful personalities..... Which ever one you chose be sure to post pics!!!!!!!

[kido]

i like the beautiful patterns of the fahaka ;)

if we have them available here i'd get myself one :)

[RobD23]

Fahakas are awesome creatures they grow up to about 16 inchs however probly alil smaller in aquaria. Fahakas are the smartest fish i have ever kept, vengeful little buggers they are. If they are well fed they tend to be tolerant of smaller fish, however they will attack anything they feel the least bit intimidation toward. This is to prove tank dominace.