Not just a starter fish

xrayjeeper83

Planning on 5-6(depends how many my LFS can get me) south american puffers. Thats all that is going to be in there. Everyone Ive talked to said they will nip and attack about anything that goes in there with em.

For now Im going to put something in the 55 until my 10G shrimp and snail farm cycles, then what ever is in the 55 will be moved over.

Inga

How big are the puffer fish? I am not seeing anything about how big they get.

xrayjeeper83

3 inchs, acutally just did some quick reading and read they are a peaceful puffer, So I might just try some tigers in the 55. If they get picked on Ill move em

Inga

Well I hope you will post pictures of your fish when you get them. The puffers are adorable too. :) I read they have 4 little teeth. Will they bite you when you are cleaning the tank or are they a little shy?

Yup, I am nervous about fish yet. ;)

xrayjeeper83

oh they arent shy from what ive been told. Ive read about different kind of puffers that have nipped at hands when the tank is being cleaned LOL.

I will be posting pictures as soon as I get them, which hopefully will be soon

trukgirl

That is a gorgeous pic!!

I loved the Tiger Barbs and Rosy Barb I had in my old 55g FW tank. They are recommended to be kept in groups of at least 5. They are cute when they school! I had 4 and my one Rosy Barb would school along with them. They are definitely fin nippers though so make sure you don't get any fish that have long decorative fins... like Angels, some Gouramis, Bettas, etc... I was able to keep mine with a couple of Gourami's for a couple of months, but I don't think it would have been possible if I just had a couple of TBs. They tend to get more "bored" when there's less than 5 of them and pick on other fish more. Thats just my experience though.

I don't have any experience with puffers though. :)

Inga

Yes, they told me I would need to get at least 5 or more and that they are better behaved in groups. I was hoping to get some Gourami's and the fish lady suggested that as possible tank mates. I might have to re-look at it.

Also, the other thought was to get some different colored Barbs. I guess I too thought they would just school together, is that wrong?

trukgirl

Well some people would say no... but like I said I had that one Rosy Barb that schooled with mine. I started with one TB, then the Rosy Barb, then a few months later I got 3 more TBs. Green TBs look a lot like them also. Cherry Barbs however are a lot more peaceful and would not go with them. :)

Calmwaters

My Rosy Barbs and Tiger Barbs school together but then again at times so do the neons and golden barbs that I have together in one of the other tanks.

kitten_penang

plecos has always been a started fish as they are hardy.even though i don't like the idea of one dying in the process ...wel....l a lot of us are lazy to keep a full cycle before introducing fish into a new tank