Best Fahaka Set up?

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lilacamy931

lilacamy931

Candiru
MFK Member
Jun 1, 2009
255
53
46
Burnemouth
Hello All
I love puffers and have decided to go for a gorgeous fahaka. I have read around but would love some help/clarification on the general setup.

Substrate - I have a choice of pea gravel or play sand. The gravel I already have prewashed though may need to add an extra bag or the play sand can get extra cheap up the road so neither are a problem. I thought fahakas would only like sand but reading different forums etc found some to have had normal aquatic gravel..

Colour of substrate! - If I was to go for pea gravel its pretty natural. If I was to go for sand would light play sand be best or if could spend a little extra would the puffer benefit from black sand (I know some species prefer a darker substrate)? Also if anyone can recommend competitive prices for dark substrate in UK would appreciate.

Decoration - Most of the examples I have seen have one or two bigger pieces of bogwood and then some slate caves or plants dotted about the place to allow appropriate swimming and breathing room (hope I have got this right?).

Filtration - Will be running external and internal for messy eater!

Anything else I should know except these beauties get huge, eat loads and should have a variety to include keeping their teeth trimmed?

Thanks for any info x
 
Also one thing I can consider is that I have a bucket of coral sand that has been sat on my balcony for a good long while, if I washed it well I could perhaps mix it with play sand to get a slight coarser texture?
 
Coral sand might bring the pH & hardness up too much. My fahaka never burrowed. I still used about 1/3 black sand just in case he wanted to & then horrible-colored gravel, because I wanted him to get those stunning maroon stripes I see on some fahakas. Didn't work & now I'm stuck with this %$^&*! substrate:

125Fahakatanknewlydecorated.jpg


Filbert loves his fake mangrove cave from Petsmart:
FilbertHome.jpg


He's always smiling:
FahakaSmile.jpg
 
Oh no! I still think the coloured gravel looks pretty Pufferpunk! Though that is swaying me to perhaps forking out for sojme black caribsea sand, get some good quality in there first so dont have to feel I cant change it later (that is such a good point!)

Thanks for the setup pics and your gorgeous fahaka, are those real plants? It is a lovely layout.
 
I believe those are all fake but I have since added anubius to his tank.
 
Sorry--the plants in the middle are live Java fern.
 
It looks fab :) My sand has arrived to day so I know what I will be doing tonight ;) How old if Filbert? He has absolute gorgeous markings and if dont mind me asking are the fahakas sexable?
 
^ As far as i know, there is no way to tell a Male from a Female fahaka just by looks/pattern unless it lays eggs or you do an autopsy once the fish dies...
 
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