Dog Faced puffer fish

[CrayolaViolence]

Figured since this area seems a bit more active I might get an answer quicker. I apologize ahead of time for the double post.
I would really like to have one of these fish, only my current set up won't allow it. I was wondering, after I get my new tank and have an extra tank, how big of a tank do I absolutely HAVE to have for a single dog faced puffer? I only want one, and a bit of rock for him to swim around. I've seen people say anywhere from 75 gal minimum to 150 gallon minimum, but he would be the only non reef safe fish I have an interest in owning so he would be the only thing in the tank. Also, would I need a sump? Or could I get a way with an OTB mechanical filter? That way I wouldn't have to worry with buying a drilled tank.

I'd appreciate some input. Fell in love with one of these little guys at the LFS, he was so cool would love to own one if it's feasible.

 

[ThRoewer]

These fish get quite big (over a foot long), so I would go with a tank as large as possible. While not active swimmers, they need space to move around. They are quite intelligent for a fish, so you should make the tank interesting enough for the fish to explore.
Also, puffers can eat quite a lot, so I would definitely go with a sump and a well sized skimmer.
Lastly, they are coral safe, but shrimp, crab, clams and urchins are on their menu. Other fish may or may not be safe with them, it depends on the species.

These puffers can become real pets that even let you pet their belly - I've seen that at a store in Germany.

 

[CrayolaViolence]

These fish get quite big (over a foot long), so I would go with a tank as large as possible. While not active swimmers, they need space to move around. They are quite intelligent for a fish, so you should make the tank interesting enough for the fish to explore.
Also, puffers can eat quite a lot, so I would definitely go with a sump and a well sized skimmer.
Lastly, they are coral safe, but shrimp, crab, clams and urchins are on their menu. Other fish may or may not be safe with them, it depends on the species.

These puffers can become real pets that even let you pet their belly - I've seen that at a store in Germany.

That's why I want one, that they will even let their belly be scratched. But I have been told they will munch corals, some more than others, and are not reef safe. Seen them listed as not reef safe too. However, if they are that would be even better because I am upgrading to a 180 which would be the perfect size and I don't plan on a lot of fish and the only shrimp will be ghost shrimp which would be there for "food" anyhow for my anemone and such.

 

[CrayolaViolence]

Went and looked again, almost everything I read says they will eat corals especially SPS corals.

 

[trembz]

Mine ate all my corals in less than 3 days...
He was picking at mushrooms and zoas less than 10 minutes after being introduced into the DT

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

 

[CrayolaViolence]

How fast do they grow? Was wondering if it would be feasible to introduce it into a smaller tank as a baby then upgrade in a year when the fish got bigger. I could afford a bigger tank in 9-10 months but I already have myself committed to a coral upgrade.

 

[cougareyes]

I would say a 75-90, a true dogface puffer not one of the other varieties. They will get about a foot but don't need a ton of room, they lounge alot except when thy are hungry, which is usually always. A HOB skimmer and a HOB filter with your choice of media, and live rock of course would be good.

 

[ThRoewer]

Corals are not their normal food. Though even if they wouldn't eat them you would have a hard time to keep corals thriving with this type of fish in a rather small tank - one Arothron puffer counts at least as much as 3-4 fish of equal length when it comes to bio load. I would keep them either in a species tank or with other large fish in a FOWLR tank.

BTW, Arothron nigropunctatus seems to live in pairs in the wild.

 

[CrayolaViolence]

I would say a 75-90, a true dogface puffer not one of the other varieties. They will get about a foot but don't need a ton of room, they lounge alot except when thy are hungry, which is usually always. A HOB skimmer and a HOB filter with your choice of media, and live rock of course would be good.

I've only seen one kind listed as a dog faced puffer, what are the other varieties of dog faced that are not true dog faced puffers?

 

[cougareyes]

I've only seen one kind listed as a dog faced puffer, what are the other varieties of dog faced that are not true dog faced puffers?

You are right but other arothron puffers are becoming more and more popular like the starry and mappa puffers, even the stars and stripes get quite a bit larger. I've seen people buying these with no idea how big they really get, just a thought.