I want to know what is the biggest puffer, are their any that stand up to cichlids. I want to add another fish to my tank other than a cichlid and think a puffer might be right. can someone give me a crash course in puffer 101? Their was no sticky on this.
puffer 101
- Thread starter airborne82
- Start date
Mbu Puffers are the largest I think. I dont think any puffers would go well with cichlids. Puffers are pure evil. Like cats.
For large freshwater puffers there are two choices.
Fahakas, and MBUs.
Fahakas are gorgeous awesome fish with tons of personality, the only problem is that 99.99% of them are sent from hell. They will kill anything that moves in their tank, min size is 125 gallons.
MBU's are my favorite. The main problem with these guys is they frow to 3' long, and you would need upwards of 650 to 1000 gallons depending upon footprint to house one. That being said I raise mine in smaller tanks while they are growing and slowly move them to larger tanks. They are much more tolerent of tank mates, and I have kept almost every type of fish with them. As long as its not a crab or crayfish it tends to be safe.
That being saif you never know with puffers, they may be nice or they may not.
Another important thing to remmebr about puffers is their need for superb water quality. They make enough waste by themselves, but add a lerge amount of other fish and you will need great filtration and weekly water changes.
They are a bit more work, but their looks and personality are worth it.
Fahakas, and MBUs.
Fahakas are gorgeous awesome fish with tons of personality, the only problem is that 99.99% of them are sent from hell. They will kill anything that moves in their tank, min size is 125 gallons.
MBU's are my favorite. The main problem with these guys is they frow to 3' long, and you would need upwards of 650 to 1000 gallons depending upon footprint to house one. That being said I raise mine in smaller tanks while they are growing and slowly move them to larger tanks. They are much more tolerent of tank mates, and I have kept almost every type of fish with them. As long as its not a crab or crayfish it tends to be safe.
That being saif you never know with puffers, they may be nice or they may not.
Another important thing to remmebr about puffers is their need for superb water quality. They make enough waste by themselves, but add a lerge amount of other fish and you will need great filtration and weekly water changes.
They are a bit more work, but their looks and personality are worth it.
I have a fahaka and he just made dinner out of few cichlid i was trying to experiment with for tankmates.
Not suprised at what happened to your cichlids- my South Americans will beat the snot out of Angelfish (I had an angel that knew it was a cichlid- bullied everything but the SAPs). Only things I have ever been able to keep with puffers are kuhli loaches (they are the kings of hiding) and some catfish (but not plecos- one SAP tore 2 up in one night). Have a congo- definitely a loner (has tried to eat things his size) and 2 bronze- they are terrors too. Only puffer I have had that did not attach another fish is a saltwater- blue spotted toby.
If you like your Cichlid's fins the way they are, forget it. The puffer may not kill them, but they will definitely nip. My GSP's are in with Mollies & each one has at least one nip from getting too close to the puff-pair.