Multiple puffers.

tyler1503 · Jul 15, 2014

How many people here have had success keeping more than one puffer in a tank?
I have two toadfish (tetractenos glaber) in my 120 and want to move my valentini into it too.
I know certain species will get along but some won't especially the canthigaster species. Although I'm hoping one canthigaster will get along with two tetractenos.
Does anyone have any suggestions?

Naiad · Jul 15, 2014

I have only kept a pair of valentini puffers. I would be concerned about the size difference. I doubt they would eat another puffer but in a scrap for food or space being too small can have a deadly out come.

Naiad · Jul 15, 2014

P.s. I don't think the valentini will have much problems with the toad. The have issues with conscpecifics. Though one of mine was a notorious fin nipper of all other tank mates.

tyler1503 · Jul 15, 2014

Thanks! I'd love to have a pair if Valentinis but would be worried about aggression. Would you mind telling me about the tank you had them in? Tank size, tankmates, how much territory each liked to have etc?
One toadfish is about 6 inches, the other is about 1.5 inches. The valentini is about 3 inches. I'm considering getting rid of the big toady, putting the valentini in the tank and putting the small toady in an acclimation box and seeing how they react with each other.

tyler1503 · Jul 15, 2014

Naiad said:
P.s. I don't think the valentini will have much problems with the toad. The have issues with conscpecifics. Though one of mine was a notorious fin nipper of all other tank mates.

I was hoping that would be the case. My valentini is extremely docile so he should be ok, the toadies are a lot more active than the valentini. I'm not sure how they will react though. I've only had them for a couple of days, so I'll have to see how they are after a few weeks by themselves and decide from there I guess.

Naiad · Jul 15, 2014

My valentini pair was in a 120. It was a mated male/female pair so there was no real agression. They were always following each other around. The male often would steal food from the female but he also seemed to protect her. He would swim between her and the other fish. These were one of my favorite fish in my fowler. When the female died, we suspect old age as my mom had originally had her in a 29 nano for 5 years then she lived with me for another 6, the male just seemed lost. He died shortly after.

Naiad · Jul 15, 2014

Sry... they lived with a sailfin tang, tomatoe clown and lawnmower blenny

tyler1503 · Jul 16, 2014

That's awesome. There's some hope for me to get two valentinis after all.
That's touching in a really sad way, it's amazing how close two fish can be.
I know it was a long time ago, but do you know/remember if they were bought as a pair or separately?
Thanks

Naiad · Jul 17, 2014

They were bought separate. My mom had the female for some time and when she broke down her tank I took her in. I added the male shortly after.

tyler1503 · Jul 18, 2014

I'm excited to try 2 valentinis now! I'll have to do a bit more research first, but it sounds fun

I have to figure out what sex mine is. I call him a boy but I can't really be sure. He has the green and blue markings from the back of his eyes like a male, but lacks the grey markings under his chin and behind his anal fin that males are supposed to get. Maybe he's not old enough to develop that colour yet.