Multiple MBU?
- Thread starter DB junkie
- Start date
I hope I don't come across as overly critical, but RTR is correct. These are wild caught species and need A LOT of room to roam. I wouldn't even keep my cat in my 500 gal 24/7 that is just cruel. Of course the foot print matters. It is a matter of providing an adequate amount of space for exercise and exploration.
When kept in the 800 for the life of the puffer, what was it? How many years? What is the typical life span in the wild? It should be better off in captivity and live longer, grow larger and be happier.
I am currently in contact with a fellow Canadian overseas who is keeping several fingerlings and hopes to grow them out. He claims to have the space but I am not certain if he has the facilities.
Either way I don't begrudge your decision and wish you luck. I would just hate to see the day when someone says "damn, I should have went bigger".
When kept in the 800 for the life of the puffer, what was it? How many years? What is the typical life span in the wild? It should be better off in captivity and live longer, grow larger and be happier.
I am currently in contact with a fellow Canadian overseas who is keeping several fingerlings and hopes to grow them out. He claims to have the space but I am not certain if he has the facilities.
Either way I don't begrudge your decision and wish you luck. I would just hate to see the day when someone says "damn, I should have went bigger".
I understand the concern.... I really do. I'm sure you Puffer folks see people all the time that fail to properly house a large puffer. So it's no suprise that the thought of a small group of MBU is nothing shy of rediculous... For the average fishkeeper.
One thing I have learned over the years here though is to never underestimate the determination of a ray keeper. Ray keepers are able to blur the line between hobby and lifestyle. It's VERY easy for me to justify building a tank of a few thousand gallons. IF my rays are properly cared for they can help pay for it with offspring. IF fish are putting money back into your wallet it's very easy to justify taking whatever steps necassary to insure continued success. Raykeepers don't skimp on housing requirements when you're spending $1K or more for a single fish. Nor would it be anything less then silly to underfilter or improperly maintain a tank with several thousands of dollars worth of fish in it. Don't get me wrong, mistakes are inevetable and shibby happens, I'm just saying hobbyists investing thousands on animals to breed, and have allready been successfull at it, tend to care a lil more then the guy with a silver aro, CK, RTC and 3 Pacu in a 125.
I think the fact that I already have a tank that's 10X4 and have grasped the understanding that they will need an upgrade someday speaks for itself.
Puffers may be a huge load to the average fishkeeper but for someone designing filtration for rays then it's different. The bio reactor that will be on the puffer tank will be capable of processing up to 5lbs of food per day and will be upgraded as necassary.
One thing I have learned over the years here though is to never underestimate the determination of a ray keeper. Ray keepers are able to blur the line between hobby and lifestyle. It's VERY easy for me to justify building a tank of a few thousand gallons. IF my rays are properly cared for they can help pay for it with offspring. IF fish are putting money back into your wallet it's very easy to justify taking whatever steps necassary to insure continued success. Raykeepers don't skimp on housing requirements when you're spending $1K or more for a single fish. Nor would it be anything less then silly to underfilter or improperly maintain a tank with several thousands of dollars worth of fish in it. Don't get me wrong, mistakes are inevetable and shibby happens, I'm just saying hobbyists investing thousands on animals to breed, and have allready been successfull at it, tend to care a lil more then the guy with a silver aro, CK, RTC and 3 Pacu in a 125.
I think the fact that I already have a tank that's 10X4 and have grasped the understanding that they will need an upgrade someday speaks for itself.
Puffers may be a huge load to the average fishkeeper but for someone designing filtration for rays then it's different. The bio reactor that will be on the puffer tank will be capable of processing up to 5lbs of food per day and will be upgraded as necassary.
DB, here is a post by RTR that says 400g is the minimum.
http://www.**************.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=23704
(4th post from the bottom)
http://www.**************.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=23704
(4th post from the bottom)
That implies that with automated daily partials (drip system), a 400g would be MORE than enough. Or am I misreading?
Well I know I should be keeping them in a big tank but somehow I don't see them finding bloodworms in a 400 before the filter does....
The biggest is 2 inches, the runt maybe an inch. How big of tank do they really need at this size?
I can see I'm going to end up having to enjoy these things myself without sharing simply because all of the "politics" involved with MBUs is kinda..... well.... yeah.
IF I was raising cichlids I could see an MBU being a huge endevour.... Way different filtration requirements. But being a raykeeper I find all this "Your tank isn't big enough" crap nothing shy of comical. People telling me I can't do things is exactly what drove me to a world championship in the car audio world. A big fishtank is a walk in the park compared to trying to defy acoustical improbabilities. I'll likely be a raykeeper for life, and if the MBU play nice with the rays I may have them a lot longer then is typically expected for the "average" fishkeeper with a tank that's "too small".
The biggest is 2 inches, the runt maybe an inch. How big of tank do they really need at this size?
I can see I'm going to end up having to enjoy these things myself without sharing simply because all of the "politics" involved with MBUs is kinda..... well.... yeah.
IF I was raising cichlids I could see an MBU being a huge endevour.... Way different filtration requirements. But being a raykeeper I find all this "Your tank isn't big enough" crap nothing shy of comical. People telling me I can't do things is exactly what drove me to a world championship in the car audio world. A big fishtank is a walk in the park compared to trying to defy acoustical improbabilities. I'll likely be a raykeeper for life, and if the MBU play nice with the rays I may have them a lot longer then is typically expected for the "average" fishkeeper with a tank that's "too small".
Hi everyone. I have 2 mbu puffers, 1 arowana, 1 peacock bass, 2 avocado puffers, and various other fishes in my 60 gallon and they are all just fine. Granted my mbus are not 24" yet. They are just 5-6". They are a very happy community that gets along perfectly.
