2 Mbu puffers 1 tank?

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Psylant

Fire Eel
MFK Member
May 24, 2011
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I was curious if anyone has seen or heard of two (or more) Mbu in one tank working long term? I took in another puffer today that was going to be euthanized if someone didn't grab him quickly. The rescue is 14.5", and mine is about 6" give or take an inch. Currently they're in different tanks, until the smaller one gets a little larger. I would love to hear from anyone who has thoughts on this.

Their home will be a 450g tank with a large 120g sump full of bio media and a filter sock. I know the care required for these fish, and I need not hear about the 1000g minimum etc. I simply want to know if anyone has tried it. All combinations of fish are hit or miss, I just want to know what my odds look like.
 
I won't get into the debate.

But I've heard of someone doing it, but the Puffers were the same size and the tank a bit larger.

As far as long term, these guys live for a long time, so I don't really know the answer to your question.

However, I would rather see a MBU in this situation as opposed to ending up in some 10 gallon somewhere.

They might be ok together, they might not!
 
purplecandle said:
I won't get into the debate.

But I've heard of someone doing it, but the Puffers were the same size and the tank a bit larger.

As far as long term, these guys live for a long time, so I don't really know the answer to your question.

However, I would rather see a MBU in this situation as opposed to ending up in some 10 gallon somewhere.

They might be ok together, they might not!
Click to expand...

I feel the same way. Bigger tanks are always better, but not many people have 450g tanks and could care for the fish as well as I could. I'm hoping the puffers will get along, but that's a few months down the road. Maybe I'll build an acrylic box that sits in the tank, with holes drilled in the sides for water exchange. Then they couldn't get at each other and have some time to adjust.
 
I found this which is encouraging:

[video=youtube;xKo3t2x32pg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKo3t2x32pg[/video]
 
I kept a pair of mbus in a 650 together. They were ~10" each when I got them. I kept them together with zero aggression issues for over 2 years before 1 jumped the tall tank during a water change and split himself open when he hit the floor. He didn't recover. I was gutted because this puffer used to let me know he wanted something to eat by spitting water at me when I passed the tank.
 
Oddball said:
I kept a pair of mbus in a 650 together. They were ~10" each when I got them. I kept them together with zero aggression issues for over 2 years before 1 jumped the tall tank during a water change and split himself open when he hit the floor. He didn't recover. I was gutted because this puffer used to let me know he wanted something to eat by spitting water at me when I passed the tank.
Click to expand...

That's great! This is the sort of feedback I was looking for!

That's terrible about the puffer jumping. I don't think I'll have that issue. My lids are big and heavy.
 
@oddball- I knew I remembered somebody doing it!

To the op

If you are going to do it....maybe take the first puffer out of the tank...redecorate the tank, then introduce the two Puffers at the same time to the redecorated tank? It's worth a shot.
 
purplecandle said:
@oddball- I knew I remembered somebody doing it!

To the op

If you are going to do it....maybe take the first puffer out of the tank...redecorate the tank, then introduce the two Puffers at the same time to the redecorated tank? It's worth a shot.
Click to expand...

I will try that. I think I'll be able to get a good idea if they hate each other just by placing the acrylic divider I will make in the tank to begin with.
 
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