Breakthecycle2
2500 Club Member
So, my daughter likes these guys and I never had one. I know many (all?) aren't considered reef safe, but IS there one that might be OK?
"Reef Safe" Puffer?
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eatbreakfast
Fish Nerd
Completely guaranteed reef safe, no, but Canthigster leoparda is the safest bet. Clams and fleshy brains are what are most at risk.
Oscaror
Back In It
Figure 8 puffer & green spotted puffer acclimated from brackish water to salt are pretty reef safe. they livs half it's life span, but I never really thought that mattered to it since it has no concept of time...
Toby puffers like the blue spotted toby puffers and velentini puffers are safe with coral.
All of these will most likely bother inverts
Toby puffers like the blue spotted toby puffers and velentini puffers are safe with coral.
All of these will most likely bother inverts
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haleyf1024
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I have a Valentini puffer in my reef. He never goes after corals, and doesn't bother inverts. One or two glances at a snail every now and then but he never goes for one. Just make sure you give the puffer krill, shrimp and nori to grind their teeth down
eatbreakfast
Fish Nerd
I have had valentini and blue spots bth go after corals. One blue spot will bite any new coral that goes in the tank immediately. Some corals he leaves alone after day one, others he continues to pick at.
L.A.
Community Member
I think it's just a gamble. We had a Valentini who would just 'taste' a new coral and then would leave things alone. Most recently though we had a blue spot who was a zoa eating machine. IME Valentini is the way to go.
Eienna
5000 Club Member
Respectfully, you have that backwards.
Green spotted puffers NOT acclimated to brackish/saltwater live only about 4 years, whereas specimens transferred to salt can live to around 12, at least according to my online research.sbmarvin
New Member
I have a Valentini Saddled Puffer and have had almost 0 losses in the means of snails larger than 1/2" and they stay small. He hasn't touched any of my corals or feather dusters or other inverts.
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Respectfully, you have that backwards.
If you don't acclimate them they die.
I know because when I started out I tried it.
I saw a Green Spotted Puffer in a Saltwater Tank while shopping for Freshwater.
That is when I decided to try Saltwater.
Not knowing any better I bought some GSP and put them in Saltwater and they Died.
So I went to the Store with the GSP already in Saltwater and bought it.
It is still alive almost 6 Years Later!
It is in a Reef Tank.
It does not bother Coral but will eat any Snails, Shrimp, Crabs, etc.
Eienna
5000 Club Member
I believe you misunderstood me. Yes, you need to acclimate them slowly over time.
zybergoby
Community Member
The blue spot and saddle tobys will nip and pic at stony corals. I have a blue spot who earned himself his own tank for nippingg my Monti's and Acros. Though my leathers, my meteor showers, tongue coral and helmet were left alone. So it is possible but not with out its reasons for caution
haleyf1024
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It really depends on the individual. My valentini has never even glanced at my zoas, shrooms, finger leather thing, rics, GSP, roses, or monti/chalice. See is your LFS will sell you a small frag and throw it in the tank with him before you buy the fish. Or, like I did, get one that was housed in a reef at the LFS if possible. The chances of nipping are significantly lower if you keep him fat and happy, mine gets mysis, brine, krill, shrimp and nori amongst other things and it plump, so maybe that is why he isn't interested in coral
