Porcupine Puffer tank size question

cslamar · 08/22/2016, 11:32 AM

Hello all!
I was wondering if someone could give me a recommendation for the minimum tank size for a Porcupine Puffer? The tank would only be the one fish with live rock. I've read a few different answers, from 55 gallons (source: owner of a LFS), to 180 gallons (source: liveaquaria). Open to any and all opinions.

Thanks in advance,
--Chris

MMacro · 08/22/2016, 11:40 AM

I would say 180-200 gallons is a good size for them.

SFish · 08/22/2016, 11:42 AM

Don't listen to the LFS

Sk8r · 08/22/2016, 11:48 AM

And kudos for asking.

Bent · 08/22/2016, 01:14 PM

I don't think a full grown porky would be comfortable in anything under 250 gallons. Look up the size of those things on google images. They are listed at 1.5 feet long, but I think they can hit 2 feet easy.

nereefpat · 08/22/2016, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bent

Look up the size of those things on google images. They are listed at 1.5 feet long, but I think they can hit 2 feet east.

Agree with this. I've seen some at zoos and aquariums that had to be close to two feet long. It seems to me stores probably shouldn't stock them, but caveat emptor.

I would say something in the 8-10 ft x 3 ft, 400-500 gallons range.

Bent · 08/22/2016, 01:42 PM

I saw one in bass pro shops at myrtle beach that had to be freaking 3 feet long. Dang thing has to be 20 pounds. I could probably have shoved my fist in its mouth.

fishchef · 08/22/2016, 05:04 PM

All puffers require a lot of tank. I had a Gray Lined one, he was too cool. Almost too cool to be in a tank, very personable.

Xxero · 08/23/2016, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bent

I could probably have shoved my fist in its mouth.

Bent · 08/23/2016, 08:23 AM

Pictures speak 1000 words:

nereefpat · 08/23/2016, 11:42 AM

Ha! You the crazy eyed guy in the middle?

Used to take care of one in a service account for a couple years. It was in a 180 and was probably only about 6". Was really smart and entertaining. Thing could really wolf down the silversides.

I've got them on my list of fish that shouldn't be sold along with panther groupers, iridescent sharks, etc.

SFish · 08/23/2016, 12:06 PM

W t f

Bent · 08/23/2016, 01:17 PM

lol I didn't notice the people when I posted that pic, but dang they might be the funniest looking crew of individuals ive ever seen.

sde1500 · 08/23/2016, 02:24 PM

that is a serious derp face haha

Greybeard · 08/23/2016, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bent

I could probably have shoved my fist in its mouth.

You might wanna watch that beak in action first :P

All by himself, the 180 is probably good, though he might need to be rehomed at some point. I had a dogface in a 120 for several years before he started to get a bit cramped. Gave him to a guy with a 300g tank.

Great fish, neat personality... watched a 10" spiney spit about a gallon of water at his owner just the other day. Good aim, too

SFish · 08/23/2016, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sde1500

that is a serious derp face haha

SFish · 08/23/2016, 03:45 PM

What about a Saddle Valentini Puffer or blue Spotted Puffer? Don't they stay smaller?

MuShu · 08/23/2016, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFish

What about a Saddle Valentini Puffer or blue Spotted Puffer? Don't they stay smaller?

The Valentini stays about 4 inches. I have one cruising my 55. He's pretty easy-going, but still funny. He spits water at me at feeding time, but has yet to realize that he can eat the crustaceans in the tank.

nereefpat · 08/23/2016, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuShu

The Valentini stays about 4 inches. I have one cruising my 55. He's pretty easy-going, but still funny. He spits water at me at feeding time, but has yet to realize that he can eat the crustaceans in the tank.

Any corals in there?

MuShu · 08/23/2016, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nereefpat

Any corals in there?

Zoas, duncans, GSP, and a branching hammer. All are fine. The clown goby has gone after the duncan tendrils though.

08/22/2016, 11:32 AM	#1
cslamar Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Illinois Posts: 14	Porcupine Puffer tank size question Hello all! I was wondering if someone could give me a recommendation for the minimum tank size for a Porcupine Puffer? The tank would only be the one fish with live rock. I've read a few different answers, from 55 gallons (source: owner of a LFS), to 180 gallons (source: liveaquaria). Open to any and all opinions. Thanks in advance, --Chris

08/22/2016, 11:40 AM	#2
MMacro Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,442	I would say 180-200 gallons is a good size for them. __________________ 155 Mixed Reef (48x31x24)

08/22/2016, 11:48 AM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	And kudos for asking. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/22/2016, 01:14 PM	#5
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	I don't think a full grown porky would be comfortable in anything under 250 gallons. Look up the size of those things on google images. They are listed at 1.5 feet long, but I think they can hit 2 feet easy. __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump Last edited by Bent; 08/22/2016 at 01:40 PM.

08/22/2016, 01:42 PM	#7
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	I saw one in bass pro shops at myrtle beach that had to be freaking 3 feet long. Dang thing has to be 20 pounds. I could probably have shoved my fist in its mouth. __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

08/22/2016, 11:42 AM	#3
SFish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 2,062	Don't listen to the LFS

08/22/2016, 05:04 PM	#8
fishchef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,222	All puffers require a lot of tank. I had a Gray Lined one, he was too cool. Almost too cool to be in a tank, very personable.

08/23/2016, 08:23 AM	#10
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	Pictures speak 1000 words: __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

08/23/2016, 11:42 AM	#11
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	Ha! You the crazy eyed guy in the middle? Used to take care of one in a service account for a couple years. It was in a 180 and was probably only about 6". Was really smart and entertaining. Thing could really wolf down the silversides. I've got them on my list of fish that shouldn't be sold along with panther groupers, iridescent sharks, etc. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

08/23/2016, 12:06 PM	#12
SFish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 2,062	W t f

08/23/2016, 01:17 PM	#13
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	lol I didn't notice the people when I posted that pic, but dang they might be the funniest looking crew of individuals ive ever seen. __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

08/23/2016, 02:24 PM	#14
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	that is a serious derp face haha __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.

08/23/2016, 03:45 PM	#17
SFish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 2,062	What about a Saddle Valentini Puffer or blue Spotted Puffer? Don't they stay smaller?