Howdy,
I have kept 2 SAP's in a 55 gallon with 8 neon tetras, 8 rummey nosed tetras, a rubber lipped pleco, 5 amano shrimp, and one ghost shrimp. I have only lost a single fish with this setup in the last six months. About 2 weeks ago I lost one rummey nosed tetra. I believe, since I had just moved about 40 miles and had to relocate the tank, that this fish died overnight due to the stress of this event. The puffers were munching on him when I found him in the morning. He looked completely healthy the night before. Its been two weeks since that and I have had no other troubles. The SAP's ignore the fish, and they ignore the shrimp which is very surprising to me. I have not seen them nip anyone and I have not noticed any damaged fins. They destroy any snail they see though.
Initially when I added the puffers to this community tank I had 5 amano shrimp and 1 ghost shrimp. I fully expected to lose all of them to the puffers. When I moved two weeks ago I found that they were all still alive and kicking. I think the fact that there is a huge amount of plant life in the tank for them to hide in has definitely helped. I say this because I hardly ever see these shrimp.
The tank is very heavily planted with lots of driftwood and some ornamental rock. I have really enjoyed the SAP's so far. I feed them frozen blood worms and frozen mysis shrimp. I throw the blocks in frozen in an attempt to wear their teeth down. In addition, I raise snails in a separate tank, and throw them in there which they seem to appreciate. Like most puffers, they are very spirited eaters. I have noticed that, even after 6 months they still startle very easily. If they see you coming they seem to be fine but if you catch them off guard they take off.
As puffer punk stated above, they do require dental work. It has been six months they're teeth can be seen a small amount when they open their mouths. I have been paying close attention to see if I could wear their teeth down faster than they could grow them but it seems I have failed and dental work will have to be done. I have been watching videos on youtube and researching trying to get ready for my first venture as a puffer dentist. (add that one to the resume!).
Anyway, great fish, yes they have worked for me in my community tank.
