Is this a Fugu Puffer?!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=114550&hl=Takifugu

If this thread can't help you, nothing will. It's a day-to-day experience with keeping Takifugu ocellatus. Aquarium salt CANNOT be used to create brackish water. You must use marine salt and a hydrometer to aquire brackish conditions. The author of the thread started his fugu at 1.014SG. You can only raise your salinity .002SG per week meaning it will take you approximately 7 weeks to get your tank to where it should be.

By know you probably know that this thing is going to get pretty big. I'm also going to assume that it would probably prefer a sand substrate over rainbow gravel. I'd try to recreate as natural of an enviornment as you can based on the mortality rate of these guys. Do anything you can to make it feel comfortable.

I'm in agreement with returning the puffer and trying to get a fahaka. I only say this because you weren't prepared such a difficult challenge and it will take too long to get your tank to the proper living conditions. I'd suggest getting a large brackish tank setup and trying a fugu at a later time. It's really the best bet. Even the most experienced puffer experts have trouble keeping this thing alive.

Whatever you decide... GOOD LUCK!
 
Thats kinda a useless thread considering the fact that it lived for only 3 months. It doesnt shed any light onto why this fish dies.
 
The problem is people havent been able to figure out why they die. They are alive and eating one night and dead the next day. So far approx 17 months is the best i've heard in captivity for them. I'll try to find the person that has it and see if he has any words of wisdom on them.

jason
 
I am seeing these availible for sale around town as well, they are fugu puffers and seem to be pretty hard to keep, I would have to agree and tell you to try and return them for something else like another puffer! I am not trying to say that you don't have what it takes to keep one of these but it would be rather difficult, I don't think it would be worth it to me ? I love the way these look with that bright color but I didn't get one because it would be too difficult for me and I can't stand too see another one of my fish die right now! Godd luck to you! it's good to see more puffer fans on MFK!!
 
I have heard suggestions that as it come from near China it may need cooler water 18C or so to achieve better long term results. I kept one in perfect condition for a while, then like all the others, it died for no obvious reason. Gutting, to say the least!
 
I bought a fugu a while back and it was doing great and just died for no reason. It just stopped eating one day. I would agree with the others that it might be in your favor to try another puffer. The fugu you have is one of the few pufferfish that are eaten in japan. Here is a pic of mine.

 
****, i bought one today. i wished i had came across this thread. the store owner lied to me and told me it was easy to keep. 12 hrs after i bought, the ****er dies for no apparent reason. he was feeding normally and fairly the hr he died.
 
Try and get your money back, sometimes the LFS just want to move product as fast as they can, it always sucks having fish die , especially that fast! Get a refund!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom