Can i keep a puffer in a 10 gallon tank?
Hi, i would like to set up a 10 gallon brackish aquarium. I would really like to get a puffer. I have been to numerous care sheets online and they have different information. I have thought about getting a Green Spotted Puffer or a Figure 8. (one care sheet stated you could house 12 in a 20 gallon)
Most of the care sheets saying they need bigger tanks say that they need a bigger tank because they have a rather large bio load. Could you tell me if the following idea would work and keep either puffer in a 10 gallon happy.
I thought to decrease the bio load i could run 2 filters in the tank (one on either side), also i thought about getting a few live plants for the tank. Also due to the fact they get bored i thought i could buy a few caves, and a hamster tunnel (idea i got from a forum, they said they love to swim through it.)
A few other questions:
1) What plants would work in a brackish aquarium
2) Could i get 2 clean up crew type fish? If so what kind.
3) Witch of the 2 puffers would work best in a 10 gallon?
4) Any other puffers (NO DWARF) that i could keep in a 10 gallon
5) Any other advise or information that could help me.
more filters can only do so much, there will still be a high concentration of nitrates in the water.
sorry, but if you want a puffer for a 10gallon your only option is really a dwarf puffer.
Simple answer: No. Overfiltration cannot create a happy environment for a Figure 8 or a GSP.
Some thoughts…
“I have thought about getting a Green Spotted Puffer or a Figure 8. (one care sheet stated you could house 12 in a 20 gallon)”
This is ridiculous and cruel. Here is why…
F8s need a 15 gallon ALONE to begin with. (They grow to be 3-4”!)
http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Brackish/T_Biocellatus/
GSPs need a 30 gallon ALONE to begin with. (They grow to be 4-6”!)
http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Brackish/T_Nigroviridis/
My opinion, if Dwarf Puffers are out of the question (You could comfortably house 2 females and a male with an oto in a 10 gallon), then upgrade to the 15 gallon (It’s really not that much bigger), and strap on an AquaClear filter and buy a single F8. I recently got a 20 gallon for my little F8 and he loves it, I had him in a 10 gallon for a few weeks temporarily and I can tell he is much much more lively and happy.
Even with the minimum tank size, you still need to do 50% weekly water changes. How do you think that would go for a smaller tank? It would really be best for your puffer and you to upgrade your tank situation and give him/her the home he/she deserves!
Your other questions…
1) What plants would work in a brackish aquarium
Ah, I’m glad you wanted to create a planted tank. Here’s a link to a list of brackish plants:
http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=143235
2) Could i get 2 clean up crew type fish? If so what kind.
Sorry, but with an F8 or GSP, your tankmates are limited. They are very aggressive and will instantly hunt down tankmates (or should I say live food) such as snails and shrimp. With the DP you could have an Oto, but you’re limited with the F8 and GSP.
3) Witch of the 2 puffers would work best in a 10 gallon?
Which*
The F8 would, but to be honest, it wouldn’t be happy. I hope you wouldn’t force a fish into a smaller home than it deserves/needs. Please reconsider.
4) Any other puffers (NO DWARF) that i could keep in a 10 gallon
Nope.
5) Any other advise or information that could help me.
Yes! Please read the links above and check out these below!
The Puffer Forum, a wealth of information:
http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/
An in-focus article about the Figure 8:
http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/library/puffers-in-focus/fig8/
An in-focus article about the GSP:
http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/library/puffers-in-focus/an-introduction-to-green-spotted-puffers/
Also if you want to contact me, my own F8 build thread can be found on this forum at this link, feel free to contact me with questions: http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/brackish-discussion/60957-20-gallon-figure-8-puffer-build-thread.html
Best of luck, do a lot of research and give your puffer the home he/she deserves!
Edit:
I’m editing because I care about puffers and their well-being.
Please do not consider replicating the this answerer’s suggestion:
“I have gsp, 2 of them and 2 dwarf puffers and I keep them in a 5 gallon tank”
This by far the most cruel thing I have ever heard. It’s like keeping a few bees in a tiny jar. They have little room to do much of anything and will outgrow this home. The DPs are fine, but the 2 GSPs need a large home.
***Keep in mind, if a fish’s home is too small, their organs continue to grow, but their body adapts to their environment so they slowly die a painful death.
Could you really imagine two 4-6” GSPs in a 5 gallon tank?
Unheard of.
I’m like you always researching and getting peoples opinions and every is always like that’s crazy it’s too small they grow too big, but people have to understand that fish keeping to some people are just a pass time or a hobby not an obsession, I have gsp, 2 of them and 2 dwarf puffers and I keep them in a 5 gallon tank, they are happy, they don’t fight, they share food, and water quality is perfect even though I only change the water once every two weeks. So basically what I’m saying is to try what works for you.