Amazonian Puffer School Size

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Andyroo

Andyroo

Redtail Catfish
MFK Member
Apr 17, 2011
1,214
512
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MoBay, Jamaica
www.seascapecarib.com
Folks,
What would be the minimum number of SA puffers one should have in a tank/system/school?
They've got a "social" reputation and all the video you see from the Amazon has them puttering in loose bunches in the current. So one would be inappropriate, as probably would a pair... 4 or 5 minimum like Botia?
A
 
I think i've read that the minimum should be about 3... but no reason why it wouldn't be the more the merrier? as long as theirs enough space for them all...

Also, might be worth keeping in mind, these guys tend to need dentistry preformed around 1 - 2 times a year depending on the individual and the water... so that maybe a reason you don't normally see people keep them in large groups?
 
Understood on dentistry, though if I can get the fish the primary feed will be snails so hopefully can minimize. Nerite and MTS are thick on the bottom of any local river, though MTS is out... Pond in shopping complex next door has 2-3 other species too, just need to duck the maintenance guy.
A
 
^ Cool.. well it seems you know what your in for, so thats a good start... and yeah, as you mentioned avoid the MTS, as their shells are a bit too hard and have been known to crack a puffers teeth, fahaka's included...

Either way, good luck with it, and be sure to post pics when you get them...
 
3-5 would be great!
 
I can't remember exactly who said it, but i do remember one member once stating it happened to their fahaka...

As for what can you do about it... sadly i think the answer is nothing really? since puffers teeth like chipmunks have teeth that constantly grows... so you can only hope if their teeth do crack its nothing too bad and prevents them from being able to eat..

And yes, i would say its would be okay to poach your own thread :D
 
Yes, i have heard it 1st hand by a fellow keeping puffers for 50 years.
 
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