Puffer ID

[breederforlife]

hey guys, i got this tiny tiny puffer from my LFS a few days ago but they didn't know what species it was. Ive never seen it before and i was wondering if anyone could ID it.

The puffer is in my QT for the moment. I feed him pellet food but the thing is that he puts in his mouth, breaks it in tiny peaces with his "beack" and spits them out again but i'm not sure if he eats any. What do you guys think.

Ive got two tank, a small FOWLR and a bigger reef tank. I would like to put the puffer in the reef tank after QT but ive got a clam and im not sure if clams and puffers mix. Any ideas?



View from the top of the tank:

 

[enjetek]

Mappa puffer?

 

[breederforlife]

I don't think its a mappa puffer the LFS said that they thought it was a hybrid puffer.

 

[airplanes1016]

Mappa or Stella. Hope you have a very large system

 

[breederforlife]

But do you guys think it could go in a reef tank with a clam?

 

[Leighton_87]

Hard to tell from the picture but looks like a Reticulated Puffer to me (Arothron reticularis)

My guess is your clam would become a tasty snack at some point

 

[airplanes1016]

No. He would destroy a clam.

 

[bialy]

Don't want to highjack this but what puffers would work with a clam in a reef tank???

 

[breederforlife]

No. He would destroy a clam.

Do you think that even at that size it would destroy a clam 10 times bigger than him or do you think i still have a couple of years until he grows bigger?
Thx

 

[airplanes1016]

Do you think that even at that size it would destroy a clam 10 times bigger than him or do you think i still have a couple of years until he grows bigger?
Thx

I would not do it. He will nip at the mantel, thus killing it.

 

[gobolts23]

that looks like a stellatus puffer to me. personally i would leave it at the store. it will eat anything and they grow like a weed. I purchased a mappa that size and within 2 years it was over 18" and 3-4lbs. Luckily I found someone with a huge saltwater pond.

 

[sc50964]

hey guys, i got this tiny tiny puffer from my LFS a few days ago but they didn't know what species it was. Ive never seen it before and i was wondering if anyone could ID it.



The puffer is in my QT for the moment. I feed him pellet food but the thing is that he puts in his mouth, breaks it in tiny peaces with his "beack" and spits them out again but i'm not sure if he eats any. What do you guys think.







View from the top of the tank:

Puffers are messy eaters. What you described is exactly how they usually eat. Bite, spit, bite, spit.

 

[breederforlife]

Thx guys for all the info. Ill keep a close eye on the puffer and if he becomes anoying to the clam or any other inhabitant ill move him to my FOWLR tank.

 

[NCSUsalt]

looks like stellatus, and it would be foolish to put him in a reef with your clam.

 

[sc50964]

looks like stellatus, and it would be foolish to put him in a reef with your clam.

"Foolish" is a strong word. Take it easy man.

 

[NCSUsalt]

there is a 100% chance the puffer will eat the clam

 

[sc50964]

Nothing is 100% in this hobby. Just a high percentage in this particular case. He is keeping an close eye on it and has a backup plan with the FOWLR tank.

 

[airplanes1016]

there is a 100% chance the puffer will eat the clam

Agreed. I would not put in there either. I think I correctly Id this in the 1st post as a stella.

Also I understand the back up plan. But I think it would be too late as the puffer can kill the clam in minutes.

 

[Dmorty217]

This is a case where caution on the reef safe or no, is held true. Puffers like that will eat any and all inverts not to mention make a huge mess everytime they eat. The eat and spit out routine is not a good option for a reef

 

[breederforlife]

The puffer has been in the tank for a week now. He nipped a couple of times at the clam but nothing serious. I moved the clam to another corner of the tank and he hasn't touched it since.
I know im taking a risk but thats what makes this hobby interesting. Ill make sure he doesn't bother the clam any more but hopefully everything should be fine.