Need I.D. !

[mattstevens1]

Was getting some crickets at my LPS today for my Chameleon and obviously couldn't resist checking out the fish. Saw this little guy sitting alone in a tank for only 2.99 so impulse reaction.... I bought him. He was just marked as "Freshwater Puffer" My best guess is that he is a Spotted Puffer. Now I don't really know much about these guys but for so cheap I figured i'd give him a shot since he looked nice and playful Now if this is a spotted puffer do they like Fresh/Brackish? and how big do they get? any information or direction would be nice! thank you!

sorry for crappy photos. i'll take better ones once he is in the tank if needed!

 

[bottles]

Figure 8 puffer (Tetraodon biocellatus). They like brackish water.

 

[mattstevens1]

Figure 8 puffer (Tetraodon biocellatus). They like brackish water.

Will he be fine in freshwater for 2-3 days? Need to get a new heater since the one for my 30 broke..... What would be an ideal salinity to keep him at?

 

[bottles]

Here's a good care sheet: http://www.**************.com/forum/ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Brackish/T_Biocellatus/
The store you got it from most likely kept the fish in freshwater (maybe call the store and confirm), so it should be fine in freshwater for a while. Remember to increase the salinity slowly.

 

[mattstevens1]

Here's a good care sheet: http://www.**************.com/forum/ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Brackish/T_Biocellatus/
The store you got it from most likely kept the fish in freshwater (maybe call the store and confirm), so it should be fine in freshwater for a while. Remember to increase the salinity slowly.

thank you!

 

[Miguel]

Brackish salinity is around .10, i would say.

 

[Miguel]

Here's a good care sheet: http://www.**************.com/forum/ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Brackish/T_Biocellatus/
The store you got it from most likely kept the fish in freshwater (maybe call the store and confirm), so it should be fine in freshwater for a while. Remember to increase the salinity slowly.

Yep, but it needs to go brackish.

You will love that critter.

 

[mattstevens1]

Yep, but it needs to go brackish.

You will love that critter.

Right Now I have him in my 55g with my two pacus and oscar. They are completely and utterly amazed by it probably wondering how they can fit it in there bellies lol. I'm reading up on a few guides and most these guides say they do much better in full freshwater seeing as that is where they come from in the wild. is this true?

 

[bottles]

It will survive in freshwater for a while, but it NEEDS brackish to live a full life.
If the puffer is eaten by the oscar or pacu, both fish will die because of the poison in the puffer. I'd recommend separating them.

 

[Miguel]

It will survive in freshwater for a while, but it NEEDS brackish to live a full life.
If the puffer is eaten by the oscar or pacu, both fish will die because of the poison in the puffer. I'd recommend separating them.

Exactly. Three unforgivable losses....