Whats better for a puffer, wider tank, or taller tank?

[simko]

I currently have a 33 gallon long, its about 48" wide x 12" high x12" front to back....
Theres a smoking deal on a 65 gallon tank (36x18x21...if i remember correctly), this is a former marine tank, comes with a sump , overflow and return pump...)

For puffers, what is more important? my 33 gives it an extra foot of space to swim around, but the 65 is double the volume, filtration may be better than my 2x aquaclear 70's and the front to back is a bit larger too, of course, this tank is quite a bit deeper (height).

I was thinking of housing congo spotted puffer.

 

[magpie]

Do you mean the Schoutedeni puffer? If so a 65 is plenty. I put my Schoutedeni in my 65 and he explored every inch of it. Had to move him to a 20L because he wanted to munch on a couple of my bichirs' tails.

The 65 will really limit larger fish that can go in the tank (due to 3-ft footprint) but with the puffer in there that won't get that big, that shouldn't really be an issue for you.

If it was another fish that liked to swim more horizontally, or grew longer, I'd say skip it but for the puffer, I say go for it.

What else do you want in with the puffer?

 

[simko]

Hey Mag!

Yes, the Schoutedeni! To be honest, i didnt plan on stocking larger fish with the puffer, id love to do a school of cory catfish or some kind of bottom feeder that can help clean up the mess the puffers will make when i feed them shelled foods. I was also thinking of some kind of small livebearers or im really open to suggestions

 

[magpie]

That's awesome! I love my little puffer, and it's really nice to be able to have other fish in the tank with it.

A big school Cories would be perfect.

And since the puffer is fairly small and not super active it be fun to get also a big school of tetras or something like that in there.

I really like the golden mountain minnows in my 20 gallon tank. They're active and really pretty. I also think that rummy nose tetras are one of the prettier tetras out there, and they're also good for movement. A good group of both of those would look cool together, add movement, color and interest.

What is your plan for the livebearers? Would you sell the babies or do you have other fish to feed them to? The puffer won't eat them most likely.

Are you planning on doing live plants?

 

[simko]

I definately want to do live plants, the 33long i have now is pretty low tech with anubias, some amazon sword, crypts and a few jungle vals. I use brooding lights with compact fluorescent bulbs, i dont use co2, i use safetsorb as substrate.

ok, didnt realize the puffers weren't that active, so im going to guess that either tank would be fine, the longer 33gal might be better to house more than one? but the 65 has that bigger volume, and a sump to increase filtrtion...hmm

 

[magpie]

I think you could probably do more than one in the 65 if it's well planted, esp. since they explore all levels. I'm not sure the 33 would be enough for more than 1. They aren't total slugs but they're not spazzy like SAPs. They like to hunt around and stalk snails/look for food so it's a nice activity level IMO.

They will come to the front of the tank anytime you're near though! There is someone on here that keeps 3... Lemme see if I can find and tag them.

 

[simko]

I appreciate that!

Im going to crawl into my basement and see if theres a spot where i can put a jackpost under my floor joist... the palce i would put the tank is parallel to the floor joist, but right against the main beam (its on the main floor), the short side of the tank would be against the loadbearing wall.... not sure if it can handle a 65g + sump... id also need to look into moving a different tank so i can breed snails.

Regarding livebearers: I would likely offload the fry to whoever responds to a clasifieds ad, not sure what livebearer survival rate is, i could imagine fry being decimated by tankmates.

 

[magpie]

I guess the puffer might go for tiny fry/wrigglers/eggs...? So that might help.

The user with 3 is L lobowind - not sure what size tank but he'd be a good reference re: if you could do more than one in the 65.

Here's a video of mine when I first got him in the 65. It's not a full tank shot but you can see size vs. the large congo tetras and see how he moves.

 

[simko]

great vid! Personally, id be nervous putting the $$$ puffer with polypterus!!!! (i love polys, would love to own one)

 

[magpie]

Mine only ever went for small things like rummynose and kuhlis. The bigger fish were always ignored, like the congos and the puffer. Gotta know your fish for sure, and I only had upper jaws.

The problem was the opposite - he chomped on 2 of their tails so had to be removed. The only fish he has ever bothered. :/