Puffer fish and Sps

[trueblackpercula]

Hi my daughter has been asking me to put a puffer fish in my all Sps tank. Is there any puffer fish that is reef safe? She likes the dog face
Thanks for the help

 

[Koralcrazy]

I wouldn't risk any of the traditional saltwater puffers, but my experience with them is minimal. I have acclimated the brackish green spotted and figure 8 puffers to my reef in the past and they have done really well....the only issue I ever had was the flow was a little strong for them at first, then they get use to it....my lfs keeps them in brackish, so I have acclimated them to full salinity over a couple hours, 5 bucks ain't bad either ...be weary of walmart and typical big box pet stores....they rarely keep them in brackish conditions...

Pic below of mine...

 

[trueblackpercula]

Very nice does he pick on any Sps

 

[Ptyochromis]

What about the valentini puffer or the leopard toby puffer?

With any puffer you can toss out the idea of keeping snails, urchins and possibly clams.

 

[tripdad]

I housed a blue spotted toby puffer for a friend in my reef for two months. It did pick at some select sps but did not seem to do any damage. But as above it REALLY liked my snails, fan worms and amphipods.

 

[Koralcrazy]

Very nice does he pick on any Sps

Nope, never picked at anything....ate spectrum pellets, very low maintenance and guests always ask about this little gsp the most....all my snails, crabs, etc...were safe too as most of them were too big for this guy to nip at...

 

[trueblackpercula]

Ok thanks maybe I will set up a little tank just for her
Thanks everyone for the advice

 

[1meantank]

I put a MAPPA in mine 20 minues later I was fighting to get his out

 

[Ptyochromis]

LOL. Arothrons in general are a bad idea

 

[HPark]

My DD Leopard toby has been housed in a pretty cramped 20g stocked with soft, lps and sps corals. Also includes snails and hermits. I haven't seen it pick on anything. Eats mostly meaty shrimp (mysis, brine, angel/butterfly formula) foods.

One of my favorite fish -- adds a really different body type and swimming motion to the tank.

 

[Ptyochromis]

Here is something I'm stealing from wetwebmedia

Regarding sharp nose puffers
"Also, I have seen them sample a few corals, but this is not a standard among the breed. Caution is suggested with this breed. Try adding corals slowly to the tank, and make sure that the puffer is well fed, and chances are low that it will damage the corals. Many of the other breeds of sharpnose have been in semi-reef tanks with no issues known. It's best not to mix sharpnose puffers, unless a large tank is given. They will compete over foods, and have the chance of nipping each other's fins.."
-http://www.wetwebmedia.com/puffcareinfo.htm

Sharp nose puffers are most likely your best bet. Might sample corals is the best you are going to do.

 

[Ptyochromis]

My DD Leopard toby has been housed in a pretty cramped 20g stocked with soft, lps and sps corals. Also includes snails and hermits. I haven't seen it pick on anything. Eats mostly meaty shrimp (mysis, brine, angel/butterfly formula) foods.

One of my favorite fish -- adds a really different body type and swimming motion to the tank.

How active is it during day? I hear they are deep water species, I would expect them to be cryptic like the Liopropoma basslets.