Hardy puffer? (Porcupine vs. dogface)

[RazorD]

I’m looking into getting the smallest puffer I can find for a Fish only tank that I’m planning on starting. From what I read the dogface may be a little hardier than the porcupine, but curious everyone else’s experiences?

*Also I’ve seen some very tiny porcupines for sale but rarely see very small dogface puffers sold. Anyone else experience this too? Or have a source they’d recommend for smaller ones?

Thanks!

 

[ENVY]

Porcupine puffer and toby puffer owner here.

There is no such thing as a small porcupine puffer or dogface (Arothron genus) species. Yes they are small and cute as babies but grow quite fast. Both will grow at least 12". Some can even grow to 2 feet+ depending on the specfic species. Also they are *very* big in the terms of roundness / fatness which alot of people don't account for in tank space.

I would say dogface is slightly more hardy. They seem to do better in a predator tank. Porcupines sometimes can be finicky eaters, atleast at the start. Also some seem to not handle stressas well.

I highly recommend looking into sharpnose puffer aka toby puffers. They grow about 4" to 6" max. Can They are slender as well. Do well in captivity. Can be put in a 30 gallon+ tank. The most popular ones are the Valentini Puffer and the blue spotted puffer


Finally, I dont want to be that guy but I will be and say it incase if you are not aware. The porcupine and dogface puffers truly need a big tank. At very least a 120+ gallon tank when grown. Puffers are truly special and really intelligent. They are like little water puppies. You can read its emotions. You are able to tell if they uncomfortable and stressed. Anything less, is just unethical.


I hope this helps you!

 

[crusso1993]

Porcupine puffer and toby puffer owner here.

There is no such thing as a small porcupine puffer or dogface (Arothron genus) species. Yes they are small and cute as babies but grow quite fast. Both will grow at least 12". Some can even grow to 2 feet+ depending on the specfic species. Also they are *very* big in the terms of roundness / fatness which alot of people don't account for in tank space.

I would say dogface is slightly more hardy. They seem to do better in a predator tank. Porcupines sometimes can be finicky eaters, atleast at the start. Also some seem to not handle stressas well.

I highly recommend looking into sharpnose puffer aka toby puffers. They grow about 4" to 6" max. Can They are slender as well. Do well in captivity. Can be put in a 30 gallon+ tank. The most popular ones are the Valentini Puffer and the blue spotted puffer


Finally, I dont want to be that guy but I will be and say it incase if you are not aware. The porcupine and dogface puffers truly need a big tank. At very least a 120+ gallon tank when grown. Puffers are truly special and really intelligent. They are like little water puppies. You can read its emotions. You are able to tell if they uncomfortable and stressed. Anything less, is just unethical.


I hope this helps you!

+1 on above post by @ENVY!

I have owned both dog face and porcupine puffers. As a matter of fact, I just commented on another thread about how my guineafowl puffer used to swim up to me, swim into my hand, rest his belly in my palm and chill. I bought him when he was only about 3.5" and raised him to a little over 13". Great fish but do need a ton of room and are also very messy eaters!

 

[lion king]

What size tank, both of those puffers really need to end up in at least a 180g. Especially the porc, they will get more aggressive and nippy in anything smaller. My experience the dogface is more hardy, but small ones can be tough, many because many time they come in with internal parasites. I'm a big dogface fan, and they will stay a bit smaller than the porc, so a tad smaller tank you may get away with, still around 150g. Always make sure their stomachs aren't sunken in, and the dogface should definitely have a nice round look. I do see little itty bitty dogface puffers around, ask your lfs if they could order you one.

 

[RazorD]

Thank you all. I understand their end size and tank requirements. I’m looking to add a tank between 180-300. However, ideally, I’m still looking to find one as small as possible because my son (who loves puffers) saw a 1.5” porc at our LFS and fell in love with it being that small. Likes the idea of “raising” from as young as possible.