Mbu Puffer tank size?
- Thread starter khoatran_3688
- Start date
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Mbus are exceedingly sensitive to changes to water parameters and nitrates in particular. The overall consensus of mbu owners is to provide a minimum 300gal tank and large filtration system for a full adult mbu.
The main reason for the large system is to provide a 'buffer' for the occassional accident. Mbus can eat large amounts of food and produce large amounts of waste. They're also given to the occassional regurgitation of bacteria-laden partially digested food that can wreak havoc on most bio-filters. These incidents will alter an aquariums chemistry more quickly than these riverine puffers can adjust to.
Also, a 180 isn't wide enough for a full adult. These puffers can reach around the 3ft mark. Large captive puffers develop a permanent tail-curl (hold their tails close to the body) if their housing requires them to turn by hovering instead of swimming. After a while, the tail muscles can atrophy and become useless.
Mbus are exceedingly sensitive to changes to water parameters and nitrates in particular. The overall consensus of mbu owners is to provide a minimum 300gal tank and large filtration system for a full adult mbu.
The main reason for the large system is to provide a 'buffer' for the occassional accident. Mbus can eat large amounts of food and produce large amounts of waste. They're also given to the occassional regurgitation of bacteria-laden partially digested food that can wreak havoc on most bio-filters. These incidents will alter an aquariums chemistry more quickly than these riverine puffers can adjust to.
Also, a 180 isn't wide enough for a full adult. These puffers can reach around the 3ft mark. Large captive puffers develop a permanent tail-curl (hold their tails close to the body) if their housing requires them to turn by hovering instead of swimming. After a while, the tail muscles can atrophy and become useless.
Oddball;559033; said:
Take a look at thishttp://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12852
I concur. Although fishbase lists the max size of Tetraodon mbu as 67 cm (27 inches) total length, I have personally witnessed mbus of that size, which leads me to believe that their max size is actually in excess of 30 inches.Oddball;559033; said:
180 would be fine temporarily. Just make sure you know someone with a suitable size tank to rehome him when the time is right. Unless you can find a bigger tank in the next couple years as he grows out. Fishkeeping is a hobby that requires no commitments. There is no rule that says you need to keep the fish for the duration of its life, just make sure you have connections to people with monster tanks.
