Hello, so this is something I have been working on for a while now (about 18 months to be honest). Everyone says, and normally quite rightly so, that puffers should NEVER be in community tanks... However I think I have done this successfully. So I post this as a bit of thesis.
Firstly, know your puffer! Some are flat out killers and you have no chance, others will accept certain types of fish and some are very docile. This is the basis for where to start and the measure of if you have any chance at all.
Secondly, get the puffer as small/young as you can. I got my fahaka at around 1 inch or maybe a bit smaller and put them into a big tank (I started with a 80 gallon).
Thirdly, raise them with other fish immediately! Obviously nothing that will eat your puffer but large non aggressive barbs, tetras etc work well. Then as they grow increase the size of the fish they are will.
Forth, get a big tank!! The bigger the better.. I upgraded to a 220g 7footer once the puffer hit 9 inches. This gives the other fish plenty of space to run and hide of required and the puffer doesn't feel cramped or threatened.
This is the basics and here are a few principles I have learned.
- lots of food! A hungry puffer is a threat to everything.. So don't miss feedings or you will see your puffer looking at the fish like a meal. If you see this feed immediately.
- your puffer shouldn't be the dominant fish in the tank.. Puffers are not territorial and don't really care about hierarchy so an apex fish is a good idea. My Oscar is boss of the tank and actually pushes the fahaka about with his nose.
- lots of hiding places.. Well that's obvious.
- this is a sticky one... Be prepared for loses and nicks. This is a painful process and if you can't handle losing the odd fish or seeing a fish get a nip (which can be disfiguring from a fahaka) don't try this. You can rescue and return to the shop or keep any survivors but you will get a few issues till your puffer settles.
Okay that all I can think of for now..I hope this helps if you want to try and please I am not here to upset anyone this is just something I have tried out. Below is a pic of my fahaka with his tank mates
Firstly, know your puffer! Some are flat out killers and you have no chance, others will accept certain types of fish and some are very docile. This is the basis for where to start and the measure of if you have any chance at all.
Secondly, get the puffer as small/young as you can. I got my fahaka at around 1 inch or maybe a bit smaller and put them into a big tank (I started with a 80 gallon).
Thirdly, raise them with other fish immediately! Obviously nothing that will eat your puffer but large non aggressive barbs, tetras etc work well. Then as they grow increase the size of the fish they are will.
Forth, get a big tank!! The bigger the better.. I upgraded to a 220g 7footer once the puffer hit 9 inches. This gives the other fish plenty of space to run and hide of required and the puffer doesn't feel cramped or threatened.
This is the basics and here are a few principles I have learned.
- lots of food! A hungry puffer is a threat to everything.. So don't miss feedings or you will see your puffer looking at the fish like a meal. If you see this feed immediately.
- your puffer shouldn't be the dominant fish in the tank.. Puffers are not territorial and don't really care about hierarchy so an apex fish is a good idea. My Oscar is boss of the tank and actually pushes the fahaka about with his nose.
- lots of hiding places.. Well that's obvious.
- this is a sticky one... Be prepared for loses and nicks. This is a painful process and if you can't handle losing the odd fish or seeing a fish get a nip (which can be disfiguring from a fahaka) don't try this. You can rescue and return to the shop or keep any survivors but you will get a few issues till your puffer settles.
Okay that all I can think of for now..I hope this helps if you want to try and please I am not here to upset anyone this is just something I have tried out. Below is a pic of my fahaka with his tank mates
