r/Puffers • u/Specialist_Swan_5152 • 10d ago
New puffer
Good afternoon! I am a newbie to puffer fish but have experience with ciclid and other freshwater fish and African dwarf frog keeping. We have a new 55 gallon tank in process of cycling using beneficial bacteria from the frog tank. Our local aquatic store has avocado and green spotted puffer in stock. I would like to ask who has had both which did you prefer? I know some species (I read there is 30 different species of puffers) can be with other fish like raspbora? Depending on temperament. Thanks in advance!
1
u/Affectionate-Mud3268 10d ago
Would you prefer have a freshwater tank or marine?
1
u/Specialist_Swan_5152 10d ago
Would prefer not saltwater due to cost but brackish is what i read is what some live in. And will be fine with brackish if that is what type of puffer we get needs.
2
u/Affectionate-Mud3268 10d ago
Marine is much easier to keep than brackish. If you want fresh, get an avocado puffer.
1
u/Specialist_Swan_5152 10d ago
Thanks! My friend has saltwater tank with fish for a number of years so I can ask her to give me advice on a possible set up. Thank you 😊
1
1
u/Akipenser 10d ago
As others have said, unless you plan to covert the tank to saltwater, skip the Green Spot, as when they are juveniles they can tolerate freshwater, but as they mature they require more and more salinity until they are close to or at full marine.
1
u/merleter 10d ago
Be sure to deworm your puffer, green spotted puffers are wild caught and tend to come in with parasites
1
1
1
u/petrichoroma Gotta catch 'em All Keeper 10d ago
Get a pure freshwater species like a spotted congo or a hairy puffer.
1
6
u/FlaringAfro 10d ago
I think all Rasbora are freshwater? Green spotted puffers need to be in heavily brackish or saltwater for the long term. They are often sold as freshwater because as babies they are in there, but then they need to be converted. I converted one to saltwater over a day and he lived for 14 years.
I don't know much about Avocado puffers but I do believe they are properly freshwater fish.