Ideal tank dimensions for a Mbu?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
^ If i had a garage to give up, i'd definitely be giving it up to in order to setup a huge tank...

Either way, imho, i always definitely believe its way more important to have a fishes permanent home setup before brining the fish home, coz a lot of the times, we really don't know how quickly stunting can set in on a fish...
 
So, I have a 375 on it's way, and I'm thinking an mbu would be great in there (always loved them). I've had several over the years, and while I haven't devoted a tank this big to a single fish before, I think it would make a great environment for one. I have a large sump ready, and a drip system will be installed when the tank arrives. I dunno, I don't see a 375 as a cruel circumstance for an mbu. Maybe this one will be a monster and I'll have to upgrade, but that doesn't seem all that likely.
 
Please don't do it!!!
http://www.**************.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=150
http://www.**************.com/forum/library/puffers-in-focus/mbuforyou/
 
I'd listen to PP... 375G still really isn't enough for an MBU...
 
Unfortunately, there seems to be a lot of opinion mixed in with a lot less fact.

WHY is 375 too small?

The author of one of those articles (manutius) says 1000g minimum and says his 90g is too small. Agreed. 90g is too small. I'm not entertaining that as an option. But there is a lot of room between 90g and 1000g.
http://www.**************.com/forum/library/puffers-in-focus/mbuforyou/

Another poster (RTR-mentor) says 400g - well, I'm providing about 450g of water (give or take) and an automated drip system. Filtration/water changes - check. I have absolute confidence in my ability to provide a pristine environment. I'm not new to keeping fish, internet boards, varying opinions, or puffers. In my opinion, the fish that best display personality are datnoids and puffers.
http://www.**************.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=23704

Another poster (Pufferpuggirl) has an mbu is a tank that is CLEARLY too small (judging by the thickness of the glass in her pics) to house anything other than an adolescent mbu.
http://www.**************.com/forum/ug.php/v/User_Galleries/schismy007/BeeBoo+three+19Jan.jpg.html

Another poster (Li$a) had an mbu and planned a 450 as the permanent home. Unfortunately, her mbu died :(
http://www.**************.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=22227

I'm just trying to accommodate the fish as best I can. I would prefer not to guesstimate or take someone's idea based on Kentucky windage. So, help me out here.
 
Clay;4390875; said:
Unfortunately, there seems to be a lot of opinion mixed in with a lot less fact.

WHY is 375 too small?

The author of one of those articles (manutius) says 1000g minimum and says his 90g is too small. Agreed. 90g is too small. I'm not entertaining that as an option. But there is a lot of room between 90g and 1000g.
http://www.**************.com/forum/library/puffers-in-focus/mbuforyou/

Another poster (RTR-mentor) says 400g - well, I'm providing about 450g of water (give or take) and an automated drip system. Filtration/water changes - check. I have absolute confidence in my ability to provide a pristine environment. I'm not new to keeping fish, internet boards, varying opinions, or puffers. In my opinion, the fish that best display personality are datnoids and puffers.
http://www.**************.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=23704

Another poster (Pufferpuggirl) has an mbu is a tank that is CLEARLY too small (judging by the thickness of the glass in her pics) to house anything other than an adolescent mbu.
http://www.**************.com/forum/ug.php/v/User_Galleries/schismy007/BeeBoo+three+19Jan.jpg.html

Another poster (Li$a) had an mbu and planned a 450 as the permanent home. Unfortunately, her mbu died :(
http://www.**************.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=22227

I'm just trying to accommodate the fish as best I can. I would prefer not to guesstimate or take someone's idea based on Kentucky windage. So, help me out here.
Click to expand...

You are not going to be able to get anything other than what you have already rejected, and that is a valid opinion from people that would know more than "average" about puffers and the Mbu in general. The only scientific fact in this situation is that the more room the Mbu has, the better he will be suited for that environment. Other that that....what else do you want?
 
I haven't rejected anything. Please reread. I have conflicting information in front of me. I am looking for more definitive answers of what would be suitable...

Is a 400 suitable (RTR)? A 450 (Li$a)? Where is the line for ok or too small? THAT is my question. Again, my goal is to provide the best environment possible, not to discredit anyone, and not to stunt a fish in an unsuitable environment. I only ask that fact be used as a yardstick instead of uninformed opinions.
 
As stated earlier in this thread, it"s not so much the gallons but the footprint. Would you keep a horse in a studio apartment?
 
I guess Mcsnapper really hit the nail on the head... its not so much about how many gallons, as what the foot print of the tank is...

As i previously mentioned, if i had the floor space i would setup nothing less than 10'-12' X 3.5'-4' tank with a height of at least 4'

I mean if consider the adult size of an MBU at say 3' in a 10'-12' tank, that gives the fish 3-4 times the width (of his body length) for him to swim around, and at that size, i'm sure one swipe of its tail and it would pretty much be at the other end of the tank...

But in all honesty, most people will say go as big as you can go... which is why you see so many people housing them in say 400G-450G tanks even thought it may not be perfect for an MBU, and lets also be honest here... if some one really wants an MBU, they would go buy one regardless of the tank size...

Like in Hong Kong, i see MBU's being sold every time i got out to fish street, and lets be honest, i seriously doubt 99.9% of the people buying them here are putting them in correct size tanks... infact, they;d be lucky to go into a 200G, let alone anything larger...
 
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