I have kept several Fahaka puffers. When I was a rookie I lost 3 of them to improper care techniques. I have found out through keeping and selling two giant Fahaka's that a individual that chooses to keep a Fahaka must be very careful until the puffer reaches 6 inches. Once they pass the 6 inch mark they are virtually indistructable ...
I found that the cheapest way to feed these guys is buying frozen prawns or shrimp with the shell and heads on. They will work their way up to eating 1 entire prawn a day (I'm talking 4 inch prawns). Many Chinese Grocery stores sell them in a bag of 30 prawns for 10 bucks. which when they are 2-3 inches (1/3 of a shrimp) last 90 days, 5-7 inches (1/2 shrimp) 60 days and 8 inches and up (whole shrimp) 30 days. For a treat and to mix up their diet feed them 1-2 crayfish or crabs a week.
As far as tank mates go
... Good luck! The only fish I was able to keep my fahaka with was Neon Cardinal tetras. And that was only because the fahaka was 8 inches and **** bigger then the tetras so it wasn't worth it for him to hunt them... True story, when I was a rookie I put a 2 inch Fahaka with a 11 inch Florida Gar... The first min i dropped the Fahaka in the Gar grabbed it. The puffer escaped by puffing up, and became a vengeful little devil by tearing the Gar's tail and fins to shreds... The Gar become so skittish that I had to give it away to my friend.
If you would like to breed these guys you need a tank no smaller then 600 gals... These guys **** bricks so you'll need huge filtration. And they have be known to turn on each other at anytime, doesn't matter the sex or size. Be prepared to spend lots of cash if you go this route.
Some of the perks:
1) I bought my last Fahaka for exactly $11 Canadian at one inch... When he was a 12 inch monster I sold him for $300 Canadian.
2) These are most likely the most entertaining fish to watch feed hunt... They can move in ways that mimic a helicopter or a humming bird.
3) Fahaka puffers are likely the most personable fish I have ever kept, If you have a 125 gal tank they will live like Kings if kept in a Species only tank.
4) They are courageous little buggers and will stand up and likely kill fish that are 3 times the size of them.
5) With all honesty Fahaka Puffers all my all time favourite fish. I have been in the hobby for 5 years, have done everything from fresh water to salt... And no other fish compares in my opinion.
Hope this helps those interested in keeping a Fahaka. Cheers
I found that the cheapest way to feed these guys is buying frozen prawns or shrimp with the shell and heads on. They will work their way up to eating 1 entire prawn a day (I'm talking 4 inch prawns). Many Chinese Grocery stores sell them in a bag of 30 prawns for 10 bucks. which when they are 2-3 inches (1/3 of a shrimp) last 90 days, 5-7 inches (1/2 shrimp) 60 days and 8 inches and up (whole shrimp) 30 days. For a treat and to mix up their diet feed them 1-2 crayfish or crabs a week.
As far as tank mates go
... Good luck! The only fish I was able to keep my fahaka with was Neon Cardinal tetras. And that was only because the fahaka was 8 inches and **** bigger then the tetras so it wasn't worth it for him to hunt them... True story, when I was a rookie I put a 2 inch Fahaka with a 11 inch Florida Gar... The first min i dropped the Fahaka in the Gar grabbed it. The puffer escaped by puffing up, and became a vengeful little devil by tearing the Gar's tail and fins to shreds... The Gar become so skittish that I had to give it away to my friend. If you would like to breed these guys you need a tank no smaller then 600 gals... These guys **** bricks so you'll need huge filtration. And they have be known to turn on each other at anytime, doesn't matter the sex or size. Be prepared to spend lots of cash if you go this route.
Some of the perks:
1) I bought my last Fahaka for exactly $11 Canadian at one inch... When he was a 12 inch monster I sold him for $300 Canadian.
2) These are most likely the most entertaining fish to watch feed hunt... They can move in ways that mimic a helicopter or a humming bird.
3) Fahaka puffers are likely the most personable fish I have ever kept, If you have a 125 gal tank they will live like Kings if kept in a Species only tank.
4) They are courageous little buggers and will stand up and likely kill fish that are 3 times the size of them.
5) With all honesty Fahaka Puffers all my all time favourite fish. I have been in the hobby for 5 years, have done everything from fresh water to salt... And no other fish compares in my opinion.
Hope this helps those interested in keeping a Fahaka. Cheers
