can i put a porcupine puffer in a 55?

[krs13]

i am new to all of this and have ecided to change my african tank to a fish only marine tank. i want to put a porcupine puffer and possibly either a picasso trigger or clown trigger. I will be upgrading to a bigger tank within 2-3 years so they won't be in there for ever. If I can get away with the porcupine but not a trigger, do you have any suggestions to go with the puffer? maybe a second puffer- dogface or cow?

[vester_72]

Nope.

My brother tried this.

Within 4 months the puffer was HUGE - they are great fish, but grow incredibly fast.

[oceanarus]

I saw one at the Seatle Aquarium that had to be at least 3 ft long!

[ziah]

Not sure about the puffer, but a quick search on this site and you'll find the recommended min tank size. I believe the clown trigger min is 100 gal while the piccaso trigger is 75 gal. I could be wrong...if I am, then I'm undersizing.

How big are you planning to upgrade to?

[Caps]

I`ve had a porky in a 75 gal for almost 2yrs. He has not grown very much and is housed with a picasso, spanish hogfish, snowflake moray, and an Emp. Angel. they all get along fine for now, but in the future I know I will need a bigger tank. Also in the past I have had porkys in 55gal. tanks and they did just great.

[luvfishies]

While I am new here, I know that there are a few different fish sold as Porcupine puffers. The most commonly seen are (pic from Zoofriends.org) , Diodon holacanthus can and will get 24" and puff as round as they are long. I would feel that a home for these fish would have to be at least 24" wide, so they can at least turn around comfortably.

Diodon hystrix on the other hand, can get over 3 feet, depending on the source of info, so would need a far larger tank. Some people say they only get 11", but always err on the side of the larger fish, therefore the larger tank.

[mogulski]

I had a porcupine puffer in a 55. They get huge quick, eat a lot, so a skimmer should be in place and have great personalities. I could hand feed him and he would get so excited and come to the side of theh tank when ever some one would walk by. Unfortunately, a abnormally hot day, some crazy heat spelland the power went down got the best of him.. otherwise i would say that they are very hardy

[yoink326]

I have a porky in my 55 gallon. I got him 7 months ago when he was a baby and about 2 inches long and an inch wide. Now he's the size of a small pear. But I've been saving up for at least 140 (hopefully 180) before I even got him.

I also had a picasso trigger (which I sold). They're probably the smallest of the trigger family, so if you definitely want to get one for your small tank, go with the picasso.

[luvfishies]

mogulski, sorry to hear about your porc, They are truly wonderful wetpets.