Avocado Puffer(Auriglobus Modestus) possible option?

[Omrit]

I have been thinking about making my 75 gallon(could go a bit larger perhaps if really needed) a river type tank. Some larger barb(probably Filament Barbs as I usually put those in my tanks), then maybe some larger danios or loaches. The problem is while I like all these river species none of them are really "center piece fish" to me.


The problem with a lot of river fish is they are either bland or grow to huge sizes. Then I saw the Avocado Puffer which from what I read would enjoy a river set-up as well as having the interest factor I am looking for. Growing it a huge amount of live snails is no problem, and the teeth trimming is not an issue for me either.


I just worry since they are puffers if perhaps they will actually become terrors. From what I read people have good luck with these guys, but I still worry since they are indeed puffers. I also hear groups are better for them, but I am not sure how many that should include.


Has anyone had experience with these guys that you would like to share? I have read pretty much every bit online about them I could find, but the amount of personal accounts with them is pretty small.

 

[trop]

Haven't kept them I've heard they do best alone or in groups. No other tank mates or they would get hurt. 6+ in a 180 or just 1

 

[Deadeye]

xenacanth9 and Fat Homer could probably speak better to avocados than I can. To my knowledge, they are more tame than most puffers but still can be very mean.
If you want a riverine, peaceful pufferfish look into amazons. Mine are with tetras, loaches, mollies, and a pleco and have shown no aggression. They need groups of at least 3 to not stress.

 

[FahakaPapa]

My buddy has a 75 gallon community with 5-6 of them amongst other things like coreys, etc. They just cruise around and don't seem to bother anyone else. They're a pretty cool looking little puffer. They have a metallic sheen to them which I find attractive.

 

[xenacanth9]

+1. Known to be fairly peaceful for puffers. I'd say a group is probably better than an individual. That being said, keep in mind the price of individual fish and how much a group may cost.

 

[trop]

My buddy has a 75 gallon community with 5-6 of them amongst other things like coreys, etc. They just cruise around and don't seem to bother anyone else. They're a pretty cool looking little puffer. They have a metallic sheen to them which I find attractive.

+1. Known to be fairly peaceful for puffers. I'd say a group is probably better than an individual. That being said, keep in mind the price of individual fish and how much a group may cost.

Wow! Thanks for sharing. That really is a surprise. I recall an old thread that suggested the opposite. Did you do anything to control for aggression? Also are these puffers mature?

 

[phreeflow]

It’s been a while since I kept Avocado Puffers but I don’t remember them being overly aggressive. If you kept a group with some fast moving barbs and loaches, it would probably make for a nice tank.

Had Amazon Puffers too and didn’t like those at all. They seem anxious and glass surf all day long. Got annoying fast. Plus their teeth grow faster than any puffer I’ve had.

Currently have a group of Schoutedeni and they’re great…lots of personality and very peaceful. Even kept them with discus and angels and no issue except one nipped my L24 pleco’s streamers but only a couple times. Don’t know if they’ll like a riverine tank though since they’re slow moving

 

[Deadeye]

Had Amazon Puffers too and didn’t like those at all. They seem anxious and glass surf all day long. Got annoying fast. Plus their teeth grow faster than any puffer I’ve had.

That definitely seems to be the norm for them. I guess I was lucky enough to tank-break them early on.

 

[Omrit]

It’s been a while since I kept Avocado Puffers but I don’t remember them being overly aggressive. If you kept a group with some fast moving barbs and loaches, it would probably make for a nice tank.

Had Amazon Puffers too and didn’t like those at all. They seem anxious and glass surf all day long. Got annoying fast. Plus their teeth grow faster than any puffer I’ve had.

Currently have a group of Schoutedeni and they’re great…lots of personality and very peaceful. Even kept them with discus and angels and no issue except one nipped my L24 pleco’s streamers but only a couple times. Don’t know if they’ll like a riverine tank though since they’re slow moving

Schoutedeni is out of my budget, but they do look amazing! I think I might try the avocado, I can move them to a species tank if need be. I just didn't want to bother if most people have had bad experiences with them, but it seems like that is not the case.

Part of me still wants to go for a set-up that I know will work, but these puffers just seem so interesting.

+1. Known to be fairly peaceful for puffers. I'd say a group is probably better than an individual. That being said, keep in mind the price of individual fish and how much a group may cost.

Assuming price is not a factor, how many puffers is good for a group? Would 4 be acceptable because I think 4 would fit nicely into the tank.

 

[phreeflow]

Schoutedeni is out of my budget, but they do look amazing! I think I might try the avocado, I can move them to a species tank if need be. I just didn't want to bother if most people have had bad experiences with them, but it seems like that is not the case.

Part of me still wants to go for a set-up that I know will work, but these puffers just seem so interesting.




Assuming price is not a factor, how many puffers is good for a group? Would 4 be acceptable because I think 4 would fit nicely into the tank.

Unfortunately, there’s always an inherent risk when you mix puffers with other fish so you may just have to try it out and be prepared in case it doesn’t. Post your results if you do try it.

Also, I have no clue what a good number would be but if you’re worried about interspecific violence, I’d imagine more would better to spread out aggression.