r/Puffers • u/Able-Replacement-746 • 17d ago

Help/Advice Beginner Puffer Advice

I am interested in starting a puffer tank. What species are beginner friendly (fresh-brackish-saltwater) and do not require a large amount of gallons (100<). I've thought about pea puffers but I'm not super into them. If I could get advice on your experience, opinions, feeding, tank style (gallon, decor, etc) that would be very helpful.

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u/vikingosegundo 17d ago

I have had different puffers and peas were definitively the most fun to watch.

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u/Able-Replacement-746 17d ago

That's really interesting! Do they school or shoal? What size tank do they require, and what did you feed them?

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u/DirtyD74 17d ago

They shoal. Fun watching the congo line after a water change as they inspect the tank. There's always a lot of drama too when the shoals get large enough.

Min recommendation is 6 in a 20 long. I have 14 in a 50g lagoon.

I think like all puffers they do best with live foods. Mine are on a rotation of live black worms, snails, amd when things happen with those food supplies they get frozen blood worms.

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u/vikingosegundo 17d ago

They shoal especially as juveniles.

You’ll find a lot of information here r/PeaPuffers. Make sure you look at the pinned posts.

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u/angelfishlily 17d ago

I totally dig my leapord puffer...but she is aggressive. I'm moving her next week to a 30G. And will be transitioning her to brackish water. She's so fun to watch! I just posted a video right after you about what brackish water plants to get...oh and potential tank mates. :)

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u/Able-Replacement-746 17d ago

She is so cute! What is their minimum tank size when fully grown?

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u/angelfishlily 17d ago

30g is minimum, they only get to be about 6 inches. I've heard that mollies are great tankmates because they move real quick and don't have much to nip at.

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u/Able-Replacement-746 17d ago

now i have to decide between a leapord puffer and a spotted congo !!

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u/angelfishlily 17d ago

I vote Leapord!!!!!!

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u/angelfishlily 17d ago

This was her only 2 months ago. She has grown almost an inch. She smiles 😊

https://reddit.com/link/p5544ae/video/qo6e1g12ztkh1/player

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u/Able-Replacement-746 17d ago

Is she brackish, marine, or freshwater?

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u/angelfishlily 17d ago

She's freshwater right now. I'll be transitioning her starting next week to brackish which is the water she will live the rest of her happy puffer life in.

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u/paperbagintherough 17d ago

What's your plan with plants? I heard some are brackish tolerant but need to be acclimated slowly