What puffer in a 33 long? (48x12x12)

[simko]

I have a 33 gallon long tank, are there any freshwater puffers other than pea puffers that get a little larger that are not lurking species ? looking for something with some personality.....

would look into a custom tank down the road for something larger like a mbu, but thats not in the cards right now.

 

[Achilles1763]

Not really anything for a tank that small, maybe red eye puffers or leopard spot puffer? I am no expert on either but All the others will need more swimming space than your tank can provide.

As a word of warning a Mbu needs 4ft wide and 12ft long tank just as a minimum. They are VERY hard to keep properly. Maybe look at a fahaka?

 

[simko]

Sorry i definately meant fahaka!


What do you all think about Tetraodon schoutedeni for the 33 long?

Not really anything for a tank that small, maybe red eye puffers or leopard spot puffer? I am no expert on either but All the others will need more swimming space than your tank can provide.

As a word of warning a Mbu needs 4ft wide and 12ft long tank just as a minimum. They are VERY hard to keep properly. Maybe look at a fahaka?

 

[lobowind]

I think that's cutting it close for more than one when they are mature. For one Schouti, I think you'd be ok. But for two? Might not be enough room, territory-wise, for them.

 

[xDestro]

Tetradon schoudenti (think I spelt it right) also known as dwarf Congo puffer. Average 3-5 inches, peaceful. Only issue is their rare and expensive. I suggest ordering from Wes.. A vender here on the forums. That's who I got mine from.

 

[simko]

Thanks for your replies folks.

I live in canada, don't know whats involved in purchasing from a US vgendor. Im n ot ready for housing these fish this year anyqways, there is someone in canada selling them that i will likely buy from next year.

 

[Samaka]

Not really anything for a tank that small, maybe red eye puffers or leopard spot puffer? I am no expert on either but All the others will need more swimming space than your tank can provide.

As a word of warning a Mbu needs 4ft wide and 12ft long tank just as a minimum. They are VERY hard to keep properly. Maybe look at a fahaka?

Btw, how did you come up with that as a minimum size, and do you keep your mbu in a 12 x4x4 currently? How big is it currently? I would really like to know more. Thanks

 

[Achilles1763]

I don't and have never owned a Mbu for that reason! I have been very tempted to try but have been told that three to three and a half feet is not uncommon for a well kept Mbu and as they are (like all puffers) very intelligent they get depressed if kept in too smaller tanks. I have seen Mbu in 8x3 just sit in a corner... it's depends what you are happy with.... a fish that survives or flourishes. That's why I got my fahaka and even she looks big in my 7x2! Puffers grow fast and my fahaka is only 3 yeas old and is around 16-18 inches already... so you transpose that to a Mbu and you are talking a 2 - 2.5 foot fish in the same time frame... I am sure they are Mbu owner who have kept them in smaller tanks successfully but I have my 7x2 in my living room and I couldn't deal with a cramped upset fish eyeballing me all the time!!! It's bad enough with the fahaka chasing me up and down the glass demanding food.

 

[magpie]

I'd also go the Schoutedeni route. You can keep them with carefully selected tankmates which adds more interest to the smaller tank size IMO. Great, interactive fish that swims around but isn't a spaz attack.

But yes, harder to track down and currently expensive. We're seeing them around a lot more though lately so hoping the price drops with time.

 

[Def Leppard Hysteria]

Thanks for your replies folks.

I live in canada, don't know whats involved in purchasing from a US vgendor. Im n ot ready for housing these fish this year anyqways, there is someone in canada selling them that i will likely buy from next year.

Might want to check with Oliver from Below Water. They've carried them in the past.