LFS and the puffer predicament!

[Trajan230]

I have a empty new 55 gallon tank so i decide to take a trip to the local fish store. I have been thinking about getting piranhas or a puffer of some sort. It turns out the just got in 6 fahaka puffers for 35$ each, about 2.5 inches long. I ask them if i can store one in my 55 gallon tank for life. He tells me that they are slow growers and they would work because they dont need much space, just alot of filtration and water changes. He tells me that they only get these things in once a year or so.

My question is, should I trust him?

 

[Oddball]

They aren't really slow growers until they've passed the 15" mark. My 2 incher grew to a little over a foot in its' first year.
Also, puffers need alot of space due to their penchant for being messy eaters, routine regurgitators, and massive waste producers.
To keep a fahaka for life, you're looking at keeping it in a 120 with really good filtration and a good maintenance schedule.

A 55 would better suit a pair of Tetraodon palembangensis puffers

 

[hamato_yoshii]

That sounds like a no!

 

[awdawg]

Fahakas sure are cool though... if you can come up with the space, I'd say definitely take a fahaka over any piranha for the pure personality and looks and curiosity of the fish!