Hi Kelly, someone is giving me a puffer...I think it's a porcupine.  I have a 180 FOWLR tank.  It now houses a Loutie Cherry Grouper, Scat, Leopard Eel and small Picasso Trigger.  LFS say the puffer can go in with no problems. Is my combo to boisterous for the Puffer?  Do you think it is a bad or ok idea to add him to that tank?   The grouper is about 6-7", eel is about 20", trigger 2", scat 5".  Right now everybody gets along great. Thanks for any advice you can give me, Linda C. Linda C. _______________________________________________________________ Only through education and the sharing of ideas can we expect a future for our hobby.

Thanks for your PM.

First can you tell us a little about your system:

Filtration:

Water changes - schedule & amount?

Current water parameters.

Will this be your last fish?

Will you be quarantining the puffer before placing in your 180 gallon?

What do you currently feed your tank?

Hi Kelly,

This 180 has a 40gallon sump.  The sump has a refugium, sand, fiji mud, cheato, pods and rubble rock.  The SG is 1.025-26. 

I currently am NOT running a skimmer on the tank (I have 3 unused ones here...just that none will fit under the tank...so I am having to figure out how to put it outside of the stand).

I feed clams, oysters, silversides, krill.. Nori, freeze dried seaweed that I soak first in some of their tank water, seaveggies...I try to feed meaty things as well as veggies.  I soak foods in selcon 1-2 times a week.

I change 30 gallons of the water (heated overnight, aerated, salt 24 hours before use) every 2-3 weeks.

Ray the puffer is coming from another members tank...they are moving. 

Since he is coming from a known source and is in fine health is there a need to quarantine him?

I have no "plans" for additional fish for this tank.  Most all of my fish in my home are ones from other homes or injured/sick from retail stores...(I have 5 tangs with MHLLE in different tanks).  A few local stores call me if they have something I can try to work with. (at this point I only purchase cleanup crew and did purchase neon gobies to help clean the fish...not for this tank..lol). 

When I am asked to take a fish in a have to make sure I eventually can place it in one of my tanks or I set up a tank, rehab them and then rehome them. 

With feedings - I feed on both ends of the tank because Grouper is a splasher/snatcher.  They seem to all know the routine now and just split up for feeding time.  

Do you think Ray the Puffer will be safe and comfortable in this tank?  If so, are there changes needed in what I am doing that you can point out to me?

Kelly, thank you so much for your time and advice.

Linda C.

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Only through education and the sharing of ideas can we expect a future for our hobby.

I think Ray the puffer would be a good addition (no others though) as this will be a high bioload.  I would suggest increasing the water changes to 15 - 25% every 2 weeks to help keep the parameters within check with these predatory fish.  With a FOWLR, you could drop your salinity down some ( 1.020 - 1.023) - this would improve oxygenation and save some on salt expenses.

I would still quarantine Ray as he still could be still carrying pathogens and when stressed you may see parasitic infestations "occur" in a fish that has been able to rely on a limited immunity.  Puffers are notorious "ich magnets".  I always err on the safe side as infecting a large tank is difficult to treat.

Please keep us posted on Ray and  pictures are always welcome!1

Thanks for all your input...it makes me feel much more comfortable with Ray and my other fish.

I will do you suggestions with the water change amounts/frequency and will lower the SG.

Ray is coming from a 150 tank right now.  What would be the most comfortable and successful way to set up a QT for this puffer?  I have extra 55 gallon tank and a 20H that I could use?  What do you suggest for his QT and how long before he can be put into the 180.  I'm in no rush...just want to do the best for Ray.

Thanks!

Linda C.

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Only through education and the sharing of ideas can we expect a future for our hobby.

I would recommend the 55.  I would do a 30 minute freshwater with methylene blue bath before placing in the QT.  I would quarantine a minimum of 6 weeks.

Congrats on your new puffer.

Best of luck.

When doing this is RO/DI water best or should I use Tap water? (confused because RO/DI is striped of everything so now I'm questioning using it) 

Make sure I got this right please....

Match pH and temp.  While Ray is in the bath I should run an air stone.

How much methylene blue do you recommend?...(like the package directions say or a different ratio than directed).

Then with the QT tank.  All new water,  PVC and fake plants, filter, heater, possible air stone, lights..monitor ammonia, nitrates, nitrites...do water changes, test, feed, keep an eye on him and wait at least 1 1/2 months before letting him meet his new friend.

Let me know anything else I need to do.

Thanks

 

Linda C.

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Only through education and the sharing of ideas can we expect a future for our hobby.

For the bath, you can use the ro/di as long as the pH is adjusted.  Follow the directions on your methylene blue (wear gloves - it permanently stains many things).  Watch closely the air line tubing and airstone in the bucket as many puffers find them fun to chew on.

In the QT, do not use plastic or fake plants - they are often chewed and ingested.  Ingestion of these can lead to intestinal blockage/death.  If not ingested, they clog pumps, etc.

I would make sure the heater, cords, intakes, sponges etc are also out of the puffer's range as they too may be tasted.  What I do is take a piece of plastic lighting screen/grate from Home Depot and section off the tank.  I place all the filtration and "danger" objects on that side.  There is a "puffer proofing" article that will be in an upcoming FAMA -should be out in another month. (you may recognize the author )

Your quarantining  plans sound right on target - best of luck.