Pufferfish Species Recommendations

[vaguelyreeflike]

Hey Reefers!

So we had a trio of store pets, a peacock Toby puffer, fuzzy dwarf lion and a snowflake eel. The Toby puffer unfortunately never grew much and kind of wasted away over the year we had him despite being fed multiple times a day, a large variety. He was picky and didn’t eat much of anything you gave him, so I’m unsurprised that he ended up passing. I’m assuming possible internal parasites may have been at play as well.

I am really wanting to get another puffer to complete our trio, but I’m looking for something with crazy personality. The Toby puffers are super cute, but I’m considering a porcupine or a dog face puffer.

Would either of these options do well with the eel and lionfish? I know puffers are extremely case by case in personality, and they won’t be mixed together until everyone is of even size. Our lion and eel grew up together, lion is about 4” and eel is 13-15”.
Also looking for something that won’t eat starfish, specifically chocolate chips/knobby stars. No other inverts or corals to worry about in their tank.

 

[AydenLincoln]

Yes if the tank is massive like over or around 200 gallons. Get a porcupine puffer you won’t regret it. Hewbie agrees with me! Oh if you have a starfish both those options will eat them. But they are so much better than starfish. I vote you trade the star or sell him to get a porcupine puffer. They are incredibly smart and charismatic. They are truly saltwater puppy dogs.

 

[vaguelyreeflike]

Yes if the tank is massive like over or around 200 gallons. Get a porcupine puffer you won’t regret it. Hewbie agrees with me! Oh if you have a starfish both those options will eat them. But they are so much better than starfish. I vote you trade the star or sell him to get a porcupine puffer. They are incredibly smart and charismatic. They are truly saltwater puppy dogs.

I think this photo might have me sold lol! Sooo cute. Would he eat starfish?

 

[AydenLincoln]

I think this photo might have me sold lol! Sooo cute. Would he eat starfish?

Yes that’s why I said you should trade him in or sell him for the best fish ever. That being said I have heard of people keeping small ones with large stars. I personally wouldn’t as they aren’t reef-safe but like people they all have their own unique personalities and may or may not decide the star is a tasty snack. But again I wouldn’t put a star and porcupine puffer together. I’d get another tank for the star and get the puffer lol.

 

[vaguelyreeflike]

Yes that’s why I said you should trade him in or sell him for the best fish ever. That being said I have heard of people keeping small ones with large stars. I personally wouldn’t as they aren’t reef-safe but like people they all have their own unique personalities and may or may not decide the star is a tasty snack. But again I wouldn’t put a star and porcupine puffer together. I’d get another tank for the star and get the puffer lol.

I totally missed that part of the comment, sorry! Was too distracted by the adorable face lol.

Our chocolate chips are unfortunately a permanent resident for that tank as it’s our live rock tank, however they are sold as food anyways so if they get nipped at it’s not the worst outcome. Might try it out and move the stars if he does get munch-happy haha.

Our chips are about 5-6” wide so they’re not super tiny, I’d hope that maybe a tiny porcupine growing up with them might not realize they’re food. Our Toby never noticed the fighting conchs or starfish but he was only 1” long, and could barely eat small snails.

Now he will eventually out grow our 125 rock tank, however being in a store setting I’m sure we will be fighting people off to buy him anyways, so can always find him a bigger home down the line and get another baby. I’m assuming these guys aren’t the fastest growers, if we start with a 1-3” puffer do you think it would take him more than a year to outgrow a 125?

 

[AydenLincoln]

I totally missed that part of the comment, sorry! Was too distracted by the adorable face lol.

Our chocolate chips are unfortunately a permanent resident for that tank as it’s our live rock tank, however they are sold as food anyways so if they get nipped at it’s not the worst outcome. Might try it out and move the stars if he does get munch-happy haha.

Our chips are about 5-6” wide so they’re not super tiny, I’d hope that maybe a tiny porcupine growing up with them might not realize they’re food. Our Toby never noticed the fighting conchs or starfish but he was only 1” long, and could barely eat small snails.

Now he will eventually out grow our 125 rock tank, however being in a store setting I’m sure we will be fighting people off to buy him anyways, so can always find him a bigger home down the line and get another baby. I’m assuming these guys aren’t the fastest growers, if we start with a 1-3” puffer do you think it would take him more than a year to outgrow a 125?

No Hewbie is in around that size tank.

 

[vaguelyreeflike]

No Hewbie is in around that size tank.

Beautiful! Definitely going to consider one of these guys. I adore Hewbie. His face reminds me of Hank, our late rectangle trigger (my profile pic)

 

[AydenLincoln]

Beautiful! Definitely going to consider one of these guys. I adore Hewbie. His face reminds me of Hank, our late rectangle trigger (my profile pic)

Although I will say with other big fish especially two that have been in a tank together for a bit. I’d consider upgrading before you get a porcupine.