Figure 8 puffer

[EmilyH]

Hi everyone, I'm from Badman's and a FW person, but needed some extra help. I know that figure 8's are brackish and not marine, but I was hoping someone here would be familiar with them. Here's what I posted on Badmans:


"I cannot find consistent info on this fish anywhere!!! Some sites say it gets about 3," others say 8"! What is going with that? Both sizes are coming from fairly reliable sites: http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_puffer2.php 3" and http://fish.mongabay.com/species/Tetraodon_biocellus.html up to 8." GRRRR. More places have said 3 than 7 or 8. All have agreed on brackish. I'm interested in setting up a species tank (single fish) for a fresh or brackish water puffer. I thought these guys sounded cool. I'm totally prepared to grow my own snails as food, as well as offer things like ghost shrimp and fresh or frozen worms. But I can't find decent size information on this species!!!"

If anyone could help me out, that would be great. Thanks so much. Everyone at Badman's thinks very highly about the people here (and man, are they picky ).

 

[coast2coast7390]

i would say closer to 3-5 in
i have seen them in salt water and they were fat and happy...since it sounds like youre going for a Brackish then i would add a little salt to the water...they will do a lot better

 

[cdangel0]

I agree on the 3-5 inches estimate. These fish start off life as fresh-water - move in to brackish as juveniles, then can be acclimated to SW.

I personally have always used a little bit of salt in my FW tank as well - helps with clarity and kills some of the bad little tings we can see in FW.

If it is young you can start it in FW, as it starts to mature just add a little more salt to the system - you'll be able to tell when it needs more as it's belly will start to get black from stress.

 

[Wett Hands]

Hi EmilyH,

I have a F8 in my BW tank. It's good to see that youre doing your homework. On average I'd say they max out at about 5 inches. My LFS does have this F8 in a display tank and he's a monster best guess is he's 11 inches!! "they wont sell him... i asked

I love these guys, very friendly and more personality than a lot of people i know. :lolspin: I highly recommend starting that snail farm asap.