mbu puffer - not doing well

[Ellen]

Re: mbu puffer - not doing well

I meant that the fish will only get as big as the tank will allow - I hope that was sarcastic...

Ellen

[ChrisBush]

Re: mbu puffer - not doing well

I meant that the fish will only get as big as the tank will allow - I hope that was sarcastic...

Ellen

I have been told both. Not really sure. One thing that I do know from past experience, it seems that the tank does not completely limit their growth.

[Brownsnoutuk]

Re: mbu puffer - not doing well

well, when the fish is touching every pane of glass at the same time its not gonna grow any bigger.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: mbu puffer - not doing well

well, when the fish is touching every pane of glass at the same time its not gonna grow any bigger.

Basically what I meant, there are a lot of "show" animals that are house in cages just big enough to hold them so the animal doesn't harm/damage itself. Not humane but there are a lot worse things going on in this world so I don't let it get the best of me.

On the subject of customer service.....

There have been times where I was undersold so to speak cause I wanted the bigger/higher rated filter and was told that it was excessive. So those places I like to shop at.

Here at houstonfishbox.com there is a retailer section for feedback of local shops and experiences.

[ChrisBush]

Re: mbu puffer - not doing well

Thanks, I will go on there post my experience...gladly!

[a_Vertigo_Guy]

Re: mbu puffer - not doing well

Well long term most animals that are kept in enclosures where they barely touch the sides usually either damage themselves or will end up breaking the tank trying to get out or outright die from the stress.

Its like having a dog live (note I said live) in a dog crate for its life.

[SCOTT]

Re: mbu puffer - not doing well

Ok, here comes my long awaited response to this thread. Sorry I didn't post sooner but things have been a little hectic around here for me the last few days.
Let's start at the beginning I guess. Mbu, while not rare, are difficult to ship which in turn raises their market price due to heavy losses incurred. An Mbu when shipped in from the wild , if propperly bagged will come in 2-3 10 mil bags and will be heavily sedated, the reason behind this is that rather large and very sharp tooth. These guys punch thru packing bags like they aren't even there. This is why these fish are so expensive, not many stores will risk bringing in a shipment of fish to experience the possibility of a 100% loss.
Next point is compatibility, Mbu are on the whole very docile fish. Of all the puffer strains they are by far the most peacefull. As such they need to be kept with fish that do not form a threat. There are a couple ways you can achieve the right balance, the first is by getting cave or rock dwellers which seek out the safety of the rock structures rather than the open water and tall plants that the Mbu preffers. The second method is to get nocturnal fish, fish which are active mainly at night. The downside to the nocturnal fish is that should they decide to pick on the Mbu while he is sleeping, he won't get much rest and will stress and die.
When setting up a tank with an Mbu, or any other puffer for that matter, always introduce the puffer first. Allow him a week or 2 to get used to his surroundings and begin eating. Once he seems comfortable, introduce 1 or 2 new fish at a time. You will find that a 120 will fill up quickly, with the # of fish topping out around 5 or 6, remember, these are going to be pretty decent sized fish you are putting in this tank. As you introduce the newer fish with the puffer, watch them for several days to see who stakes what areaas of the tank, and to watch for agression. If you see you are out of claimable areas in the tank, don't add any more fish. Once all the available nesting/hiding places have been chosen you are just asking for agression by adding more to the tank.
Ok, next thing I saw was the Giraffe Cat. By all means, any tank over 100 gals should have a giraffe in my opinion. These guys are natures Hoover Vacuums. They have their strong points, and of course some serious short comings. The strong points first, these guys are very peaceful. By peaceful I don't mean that they won't suck down a smaller fish, say of tetra size if given the chance, they will! By peaceful I mean they will not openly or agressively antagonize the other members of your tank. They are nocturnal, preffering to roam the tank at night. The only time you should see your giraffe, provided you have enough cover is during feeding times. Giraffes preffer sand or small gravel substrate, as they inhale huge quantities of the substrate and filter out the nutrients in the gravel.
Ok, now the downside. Giraffes get huge, I do mean HUGE. In the wild these fish can attain lengths of over 3 ft. Another downfall, if you have a planted tank, or a nicely landscaped, hours upon hours of meticulous labor to achive that just right Zen look, forget it. Being gravel feeders, your hard work, and or plants won't last more than one evening. Something to keep in mind, being gravel feeders they can and will regularly redistribute your gravel content. As such it is important that any rockwork in the tank should rest on the tank bottom rather than resting on the substrate. The chances of the cat undermining the gravel from your rockwork is extremely high, and a toppling rock could easily take out a pane of glass.
Last point I will make is one that I think is a matter of personal choice, and that is companion selection. Personally, if you are wanting companions for your Mbu, and I do recommend this as puffers are easily bored, I would go with 2 Brichardi or 2 Julidochromis, a small giraffe which you can trade out as he matures, and 2 large peacocks.
I know you didn't have any luck with the peacocks you had before, but bear with me, I will explain my choices. The Giraffe is obvious, to keep the substrate clean, and is in it's own right a very interesting fish. The Juli's or Shellies as filler for the tank, both have very intersting traits which make them fun to watch. And last but not least the Peacocks, we want the peacocks in the tank for 2 distinct reasons, 1 they are peaceful, 2 they provide entertainment for the Puffer. I preffer peacocks because of the vibrant coloring, but any large PEACEFULL fish would work.

I have a large Nile puffer myself, and for his entertainment needs I have common Commet goldfish in his tank. The only reason he has goldfish rather than something a little better suited to ny tastes is that the other fish are also to his taste, hehe. The Nile is one of the more agressive puffers, and as such anything in his tank is subject to turning to food. Even so, I do maintain company for him, this is very important. Puffers are not loners, no matter what you may have heard. They do preffer the company of other fish, if only to distract them from the fact that they live in a 6ft box. Remove the companion fish, and your puffer will get bored and either begin thrashing in the tank, rushing the glass any time he see's movement, or worse, begin chewing on his own tailfin.
Anyway, that's all I wanted to add, not sure how much of this is repeats as I only made it halfway thru the postings before jumping in with my remarks.
By the way Chris, we have a local aquarium group here that meets on the first Friday of each month. We love to see new faces, and you are more than welcome to crash our party.

[gt3guru]

Re: mbu puffer - not doing well

great info!  As i'm inheriting a MBU purchaced from fish r us shortly i'm thrilled to get some expert info!

[gt3guru]

Re: mbu puffer - not doing well

Did you know that googling "mbu puffer" brings this forum up on the first page?!

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=Yms&q=mbu+puffer&btnG=Search

good publicity for fish r us

[Mzungu]

Re: mbu puffer - not doing well

I know I missed my chance to comment, and I hate to bring it back up, but I think clw219 made a great point. I don't want to start anything here, but I just wanted to recognize that post.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: mbu puffer - not doing well

I know I missed my chance to comment, and I hate to bring it back up, but I think clw219 made a great point. I don't want to start anything here, but I just wanted to recognize that post.

i avoided it but yeah, it was a bad judgement call due to lack of research and info attained.

[PAPERGUY]

Re: mbu puffer - not doing well

Hello, I am a new member. I found this site looking for info on mbu puffer. chris, just wanted to see if your new puffer is still adjusting and doing o.k.? I also bought a mbu puffer on 12/15 without doing as much research as I should have. I purchased it at Ultimate Fish on 2920. They are knowlegable and very helpfull. They told me of it's impending size prior to selling it to me. the owner has been very helpfull with info. I have a 90 gal tank at present and will be getting a 210 gal in the next month. it is 6" right now, I have mostly anglefish and will keep them in the 90gal. I have learned a little resaerch and watching and learning from your fish what  it's needs are goes a long way.A fish of this size does have special needs.They are a very personable fish and will do my best to provide for it. Chris I wish you luck with your's and keep us posted to how it's doing!

[firsttime-fishkeeper]

Re: mbu puffer - not doing well

i found this site really useful when i was researching fish compatibility. its got most common species but it doesnt have puffers but hopefully this will help u with selecting fish

good luck with the puffer btw

[gt3guru]

Re: mbu puffer - not doing well

I took this video today at Fish R Us of their $700 puffer.



Hes probably 2 inches longer than my puffer and half the weight. He is the most poorly cared for fish I have ever seen. Is there anything we can do to help them?

[gt3guru]

Re: mbu puffer - not doing well

for a comparison check out how round my puffer is