Tankmates for Puffer?

[Pyramid_Party]

Hi,

So I have a brown puffer aka monotrete tugidus. It's in a 29 gallon semi planted tank. I was wondering if I could add ANY tankmates. I had a small school of white cloud minnows and the puffer destroyed them. I added some guppies as dithers cause I thought the puffer was bored, and the puffer was getting a little skittish. I knew the puffer was going to get the guppies. They only lasted a day.


I have some brown algae in the tank, so I was thinking about adding an otto. But I know the fish does not stand a chance. This puffer even attacks plants sometimes cause their leaves move and makes it look like its alive. I was looking at some giant danios at petco the other day. And I began to wonder if they could stand a chance. They are fast enough. But at night is when they would be vulnerable. I do have some floating plants.

But I don't know. What do you guys think?

 

[kevinfleming21]

single species tank for puffers is best.

 

[ride1226]

Yup. From everything I have read it looks like all these fresh water puffers eventually kill everything. Only exception being an MBU in a huge multi thousand gallon tank.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

Some people mix fish with there puffers and some work well. Depends on species of puffer too. Obviously you need fish that are quick enough to get away from the puffer.

 

[kevinfleming21]

Some people mix fish with there puffers and some work well. Depends on species of puffer too. Obviously you need fish that are quick enough to get away from the puffer.

I have done it several times, even had a tank with three different species of puffer in a single tank. I just do not recommend it. You could do something like a Platinum Half-Beak though.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

Yup. From everything I have read it looks like all these fresh water puffers eventually kill everything. Only exception being an MBU in a huge multi thousand gallon tank.

Well I know dwarf puffers can be mixed with fish. SAP's can be mixed too, and even with puffers of their own kind. Figure 8s can be mixed too I believe. Its tricky though, hit or miss with other species.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

I have done it several times, even had a tank with three different species of puffer in a single tank. I just do not recommend it. You could do something like a Platinum Half-Beak though.

Oh yeah, I would never mix puffers. Only ones I know you can mix is dwarf puffers and SAP's (not with eachother). But if I were to add other fish they must be quick fish like danios that can stay away from the puffer. I don't know if those half-beaks are fast enough.

 

[kevinfleming21]

Oh yeah, I would never mix puffers. Only ones I know you can mix is dwarf puffers and SAP's (not with eachother). But if I were to add other fish they must be quick fish like danios that can stay away from the puffer. I don't know if those half-beaks are fast enough.

I never had a problem. They stay tight to the surface and do not seem to invade on the puffers territory.

 

[i pee in the sea]

I used to have a sajica with my fahaka,

actually had to remove the sajica because it was picking on the puffer and affecting his behaviours (sadly...)

I currently have a rainbow shark and a shoal of 7 neon tetras.
They get along fine, no aggression what so ever.

However, a bristlenose pleco was killed within 2 days.

So I would go with a fast moving dither sort of fish,
I would also make sure that the fish isn't too expensive hah

 

[Pyramid_Party]

Yeah the Giant Danios are $2.50 a piece.