Tough decisions, which puffer?!? and some info

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Runitis

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Dec 4, 2011
1,884
2
68
Winnipeg,MB, Canada
Hello MFK peeps.
I'm ready to take on another species of fish the puffer, I have been doing research for a while and now have space for the smaller species and a couple have recently showed up.

First species is TETRAODON CUTCUTIA. They are 1.5" and I have an empty 10g for now and a 29g upgrade in a few months (has some cichlid fry I was growing for fun). Would a 10g be a suitable home for a single one? I've read they only grow 4" and seems fair to me if i keep up with water changes all the time. It will have seeded sponge filter and a aqueon mini. There isn't too much info i could find so anyone have any experience? Do I feed small puffers the same way as a little bit larger ones? Seafood medley, krill, clams, and shrimp? Are these guys bad for over grown teeth?

Next are pea puffers they are interesting cute little guys I was thinking of doing like 3-5 of them in my ten and attempt some shrimp friends! Experience? Also how do I keep there teeth trimmed?

Next is to get a valentini puffer or another toby for my 20g long salt water tank. (reason why a marine is in the options because I was considering inverts for the salt also) No info needed for this guy.

So put a cutcutia in a 10 or maybe 29 and how many could i have in a 29. Or pea puffers in a 10. Or get a marine toby. I only want one puffer tank what would you do! Exclude the factor between marine and fresh. If you have never had a salt water tank then maybe just debate over the fresh water species thanks MFK and sorry for my long posts all the time. I try to include all the info to eliminate side tracked questions.
 
Going to be VERY difficult to find that species. Cutcutia I mean.
You will need at least a 20 gallon...They have high bioloads and activity levels. They need 100% crunch diet for their teeth. But you will still need to do teeth trimming.

Pea puffers will eat or harass shrimp, but you could do 2 in a 10 gallon, feed the blood worms/live black worms. Dwarfs teeth don't grow like other puffers

Dwarfs are the only puffer that can live in a 10...
 
Going to be VERY difficult to find that species. Cutcutia I mean.
You will need at least a 20 gallon...They have high bioloads and activity levels. They need 100% crunch diet for their teeth. But you will still need to do teeth trimming.

Pea puffers will eat or harass shrimp, but you could do 2 in a 10 gallon, feed the blood worms/live black worms. Dwarfs teeth don't grow like other puffers

Dwarfs are the only puffer that can live in a 10...

Lol no its not my lfs has 70 cutcutia. Like mentioned i also have a 29 so if i decide on that one it can be moved. Okay but you never mentioned which you would rather have? Thank you for the info!
 
70 cuticutia? Now that is a bit rare. If you get one, post a pic for proper ID! Easy to confuse this species.

Which one I would want? Cuticutia..because it is rare to find, I have never seen one for sale online.

If you do get one start breeding ramshorn snail for their teeth.
 
Well now its down to 60 but thats what he specializes in, cichlids and rare oddballs. He's an importer here in Canada. I haven't seen the fish yet but he reputable and has an online list so I guess I'll just have to wait and see thanks.
 
Going to be VERY difficult to find that species. Cutcutia I mean.
You will need at least a 20 gallon...They have high bioloads and activity levels. They need 100% crunch diet for their teeth. But you will still need to do teeth trimming.

Pea puffers will eat or harass shrimp, but you could do 2 in a 10 gallon, feed the blood worms/live black worms. Dwarfs teeth don't grow like other puffers

Dwarfs are the only puffer that can live in a 10...

Pea Puffers are just another name for Dwarf puffers...

But to answer the OP's question... i would go with something like a trio of Dwarf Puffers for your 10G tank, add some plants and driftwood along with maybe a few Red Cherry Shrimp and see how it goes...

Dwarf / Pea puffers in my experience won't harass the shrimps unless you've basically taught them to see the shrimp as food...
 
I'm jealous..I've kept cutcutia before ..can you pm me the supplier??? Merci.
Pm sent
Pea Puffers are just another name for Dwarf puffers...

But to answer the OP's question... i would go with something like a trio of Dwarf Puffers for your 10G tank, add some plants and driftwood along with maybe a few Red Cherry Shrimp and see how it goes...

Dwarf / Pea puffers in my experience won't harass the shrimps unless you've basically taught them to see the shrimp as food...

Yea that's what I read, thank you for the opinion. I think I may be leaning towards the cuticutia and just giving the 29 to gim/she would to be okay? or still just one? and also geetting pea puffers for the 10 maybe :nilly: This place makes me go crazy with all the awesome stock he gets. I am also going to go check them out today to see them maybe he will let me take a pic or video
 
^ I've never personally kept those guys myself, so have no real feedback on them... but as with all puffers, when setting up their tank, always best to try and give them some substrate, and lots of decor to break lines of sight and make them feel more comfortable :)
 
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