Puffer fish in reef tank, thoughts...

[lorrie.kaluzny]

Hi everyone! So I have a shocking thought that I would love folks to chime in on. I think puffer fish are so cute, especially dog face. I was curious if anyone has has success with them in a reef tank. My situation is changing a bit, so I was thinking of trying this in a few months when things are settled. Luckily for me my neighbors son is going off to college so I'm getting a great deal on another reef system 90gallons with a 25-30 gallon sump set up.
Current residents include ... 2 clowns, yellow tang, fairy wrasse, fox face, pajama cardinal, diamond goby.
Corals include... Torch, Australian hammerhead, Zoa, Xenia, Brain, Leatherback and the stuff that looks like grass that's growing like mad . The only hard coral I have is the one that looks like a dinner plate (I can't ever remember the name lol)
The plan is to move everything into the new tank. Not sure what I will do with the current one, my hubby may try to kill me if I start another tank, lol.

 

[Martini5788]

Look into the toby( sharpnose) puffers. Valentini, blue spotted, leopard. They tend to be more reef safe. A dogface gets too big for a 90 imo

 

[Jasanden]

I had a dogface that would eat all leAthers and zoos and palys. That's pretty much all I had in way of corals and he liked them all. In my current reef I have a mimic saddle puffer( file fish). Becaus like you I love the look and personality of puffers. I've only had him for about 2 months but he seems like he has no interest in anything but food and pods. Size wise he's a much better choice for your situation.

 

[AUFishGuy]

i dont think Dogfish Puffers are reef safe but they are definitely way to big for a 4 foot tank.

I have a Valentini Puffer and he is an awesome fish and for 2 years has been completely reef safe

 

[lorrie.kaluzny]

Thanks for the thoughts! Do they all seem to have similar personalities?

 

[scumbag_gli]

I've had a saddleback/vaneltini for close to a year now. He was originally in my softies and LPS tank...now in my SPS tank. He destroys snails, I replace them almost every month. But he doesn't touch any of my coral, shrimp, crabs. Oddly enough, he loves algae haha. He's a weirdo. But mine was a success mostly cause he was terrified of my Chevron tang, now he's even more relaxed and just floats around all day.

 

[AUFishGuy]

Thanks for the thoughts! Do they all seem to have similar personalities?

Yes they have great personalities, I f i am anywhere near the tank he is always front and center checking me out. Likes to follow my finger back and forth across the glass. Really great fish

 

[joshky]

Bought a leopard puffer from DD and found out he liked clams very quickly, lost a 6" maxima from injuries/stress in a very short amount of time. It's hit or miss, as long as I keep clams I probably won't try another one.