Can Freshwater Puffer Fish Live With Cichlids?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Green spotted puffers, aka gsp, t. nigroviridis, are brackish puffers that need full marine conditions as adults and

would not be able to live in a fw environment with cichlids

.

Do freshwater puffer fish eat other fish?

Freshwater puffer fish like to eat invertebrates such as snails, shellfish, and crustaceans in their natural habitat. But they don’t stop there.

They also eat other fish, even whole fish

.

Can pea puffers go with cichlids?

What goes with freshwater puffer fish?

  • Mollies (Poecilia sphenops) – Best for Small Tanks.
  • Gobies (Gobiidae)
  • Clown plecos (Panaque maccus)
  • Snails (Architaeniolossa Ampurllariidae)
  • Harlequin rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorphic)

Can you put 2 puffer fish together?


Often, multiples of the two species can be kept together as well

. As a reminder, for this to work well, the tank must be well decorated, with plenty of hiding places and lots of space. For these larger Puffers, they need at least 30 gallons per Puffer.

What fish can you put with cichlids?

Cichlids Types of Fish You can put in Tank with Cichlid
African Cichlid


Rafael Catfish, Plecos, Synodontis catfish and Larger Rainbowfish

.
Dwarf Cichlids (Including South American Cichlids and Checkerboard) Compatible with most fish species, including Tetra,

Are puffer fish good pets?

In contrast to more common pet fish, puffer fish require very good water quality, a lot of aquarium space, and a good diet.

They’re definitely not starter pets

. You’ll need to remain with your puffer fish often, as it requires feeding once a day, and possibly more if it is kept around other fish.

Do dwarf puffers like current?

Well, moving water is beneficial for your tank on so many levels by itself, but

all of my puffers have enjoyed the powerheads in one way or another

; whether it was hopping on and riding the current across the tank or playing in the bubbles. I’d recommend as much water current as your puff can reasonably handle.

Can mollies live with African cichlids?


Molly and cichlids can live together

. However, you need to consider that there are more than 1000 species of cichlids and display quite different personalities. Therefore, mollies are compatible with specific species of cichlids.

What can live with pea puffers?

Some tank mates to consider for your Pea Puffers are

Neon Tetras, Kuhli Loaches, some Danios, and adult Cherry Shrimp

. These tank mates should be able to get out of the way of the Pea Puffer, and also not stress out or injure them.

Do freshwater puffer fish puff up?


They are well known for their ability to puff themselves up with water as a defense mechanism

. Once they inflate, their spine protrudes from their body preventing them from being eaten. Don’t be deceived by their appearance! Even though they are very cute, they can be extremely aggressive.

How long do freshwater puffers live?

Many puffers can become quite large, and even the small ones have personalities different from many other types of fish. It is challenging to get a large enough tank and to filter it correctly, so it’s a commitment you need to make beforehand as many of these fish last

more than five years

.

What size tank does a freshwater puffer fish need?

Most are difficult to fit into a community tank so a single species tank usually works best. The Dwarf Pea Puffer can be kept in a tank to themselves as small as 5 gallon. Green Spotted Puffer (Tetraodon nigroviridis) (Grows to 6′) Housing: Provide an aquarium of 10 gallon or more.

15 to 30 gallon

is idea.

How many green spotted puffers are in a tank?

They should be kept in large aquariums, with

no less than 30 gallons per puffer

, as they grow to be six inches.

How many Figure 8 puffers are in a tank?

Figure 8’s are a better choice for most aquarists than the GSP because their requirements are easier to meet. These puffers will only grow to about half the size of a GSP, thus they need only half the space.

15 gallons is sufficient for one puffer, with 10 gallons more for each additional puffer

.

Are puffer fish easy to care for?

Freshwater Puffer Fish are extremely interactive and interesting fish. Although

not the easiest type of fish to keep

, puffers are unlike an other species in the hobby. These fish are gorgeous and personable and make great “water puppy” pets!

Can I keep one pea puffer?

Given how territorial pea puffers can be,

many people have a lot of success keeping just one pea puffer in a five-gallon aquarium by itself

. If you want to keep more than one, the general rule of thumb is to provide five gallons of water for the first puffer and three gallons of water for each additional puffer.

How long do dwarf puffers live?

Lifespan. The average pea puffer lifespan is

4-5 years

.

Can puffer fish live in a community tank?

While dwarf puffers tend to ignore one another provided they are not overcrowded, red-eye puffers are very intolerant of their own kind. Although attractive and comical fish,

they are very difficult, probably impossible, to house in community tanks

.

Can cichlids live with Tiger barbs?

Simply put,

tiger barbs and cichlids are not compatible as tank mates

. Whether the cichlids come from the Americas or Africa, they aren’t optimal for life alongside tiger barbs. Cichlids might behave truculently toward tiger barbs.

Can Bristlenose plecos live with cichlids?

In light of this, only keep them with larger, peaceful fish like hoplo catfish — larger relatives of the cory catfish and larger tetras.

They can also share a tank with medium-sized plecos, like the bristlenose and clown pleco

. Avoid aggressive and large plecos, which can bully these cichlids.

Can neon tetras live with cichlids?

Most people recommend to keep a cichlid only tank, but a lot of people add other fish and make it work. Most African cichlids grow quite big and are therefore able to eat all tetras. Therefore,

one can not keep African cichlids together with tetras

.

Is it legal to own puffer fish?


Not totally banned, but you do need a license to sell or serve puffer fish in the U.S.

Called “fugu” and served as a delicacy in Japan, puffer fish (AKA blowfish) can be deadly if not prepared properly. According to the FDA: “[S]ome puffer fish contain the toxins tetrodotoxin and/or saxitoxin.

Can you touch a puffer fish?

What happens if u touch a puffer fish? Poison spikes: One of the adaptations that helps the pufferfish survive is the ability to produce a poison known as tetraodotoxin. This toxin is secreted across their body, making

puffers dangerous to touch

and even more dangerous to consume.

Can Figure 8 puffer fish live in freshwater?

Figure 8 puffers are native to the brackish (slightly salty) waters of Southeast Asia from Indonesia to Thailand.

They are also sometimes found in nearby freshwater

. They prefer slow moving rivers and calm coastal areas.

Jasmine Sibley
Author
Jasmine Sibley
Jasmine is a DIY enthusiast with a passion for crafting and design. She has written several blog posts on crafting and has been featured in various DIY websites. Jasmine's expertise in sewing, knitting, and woodworking will help you create beautiful and unique projects.