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supershaji
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 Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 2:38 pm Post subject: CEYLON PUFFERS compatibility & environment advice needed |
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Hi all.
I'm setting up a 270 ltr tank to bring in some Ceylon Puffers.
I'm definately not an expert, hence i'm seeking all the advice i can get!
I am aware that these are brakkish water fish, and have also posted a message in another section regarding that.
But i needed a few more clarifications:
- Which other fish are compatible with Ceylon Puffers in a brakkish tank?
- What kind of environment setup should i create?
- Can i grow plants in this tank (im using construction sand as substrate)
- Any special care required for a brakkish aquaria and their inmates?
Thanx for all your advices in advance.
Shaji |
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madhu_ulysses
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| Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 7:05 pm Post subject: |
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| I think what you are talking about is F8 or Figure 8 puffer, the one which's got a 8 shape on its fore head. Monodactylus argus, M. sabae and Scatophagus can be surviving tank mates. Puffers have the tendency of going after weak or smaller fishes and they also seem to like hidings. They have a sort of beaky formation inside their mouth to crack open snails. So feeding snails at least occationally is almost mandatory other wise they're said to loose weight. Slow moving or small fishes are not advised to be housed with puffers. |
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Dolphy
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| Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 9:43 pm Post subject: |
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So feeding snails at least occationally is almost mandatory other wise they're said to loose weight.
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That's right. It is imperative to feed your puffers snails. I had a couple of puffers once, and they were such a pleasure to watch. They'd jump and 'dance' around whenever I came near their tank; almost like little puppies! 
Although they were a delight, it was quite a challenge maintaining the salinity in their tanks and meeting their special requirements. So, I returned them back to the storekeeper.
Jenny |
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retro_gk
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| Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 10:22 pm Post subject: |
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I do not recommend scats for most home aquaria. Monos should be okay, but they need a lot of swimming room...what are the dimensions of your tank?? A good setup would be a sand bottom with a few pots/rocks forming hiding places and "twiggy" driftwood to simulate mangrove roots.
As already mentioned, snails are good food...they do not appreciate other bottom dwellers...plants are superfluous...they are territorial. |
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supershaji
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| Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks all for the invaluable advice.
I havent got the puffers yet Madhu, but had seen them in a few shops earlier, going by my research on the net, they are known as Ceylon Puffers (T nigroviridis). Will post a pic as soon as i get them. the tank's just cycling now, no salts added yet either.
Jenny, i hadnt seen a puffer before in my life until recently, but i must say, they got me! i guess i'l have to bring them home to experience their personaliies. Just so im prepared, what were the issues on salinity and water in general that u faced?
My tank is 3.5' ft wide & 1.7' high; so i guess that gives enough room for the monos to swim around.
Scats not recommended? alrighty then, no scats for now.
Rahul, why do u say plants are NOT needed? do these fish eat them up?
more advice recommended!
I still dont know where to start with the brackish water making.
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madhu_ulysses
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Dolphy
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| Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 8:18 pm Post subject: |
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Hiya!
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Just so im prepared, what were the issues on salinity and water in general that u faced?
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Water changes for a brackish water setup is quite different from water changes intended for a freshwater setup. In the latter, you'd simply have to siphon off some water, and just replace. But, for a brackish water tank.. you'd need to add the correct amount of salt. It is okay initially... but I think you'd require a hydrometer to ascertain the salinity. Water evaporates.. but the salt remains behind. So, unless you have a hydrometer, it would be difficult to do water changes.
My puffers were extremely sick when I bought them. They had ich, sunken bellies and a thick coat of slime covering their bodies. It was pretty yuk, but I took good care of them, and they were alright for a very long time. But then, I found it quite a hassle (and also quite guilty) blindly changing their water. So, I returned them to the LFS owner. I fed them with pond snails which they loved.
What I loved most was their little dance.. more like a jig! :lol: I'd deliberately go and stick my face into the tank, just to see them dance about. What made it very special was that they'd do it only for me!<<smirk>>
Go for puffers! They'd add so much of happiness to your life. 
Jenny |
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retro_gk
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| Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 10:13 pm Post subject: |
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I said plants were not needed because there are few, if any, plants in their natural environment...
BTW, Ceylon puffers are not T.nigroviridis. AFAIK they are an undescribed species...
As Jenny said, get a hydrometer and aim for a Sp. gravity of ~1.05 |
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supershaji
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| Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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thanx lot Madhu for the url. info was very user-friendly
Rahul, did you recommend not going for scats b'because they carry infections or becoz of their aggressiveness?
I've asked a LFS to get me some mono angels (i hope they school)
what about archer fish? are they available anywhere in india? if so, any odea how much they'd cost? also unable to find the desired puffers, although i asked the lfs dude to get me a good pair.
thanx for all the info friends.
im gonna buy the salt soon and start mixing. no places in hyderabad where a hydro-meter can be found. looking on the net.
Shaji |
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discusrama
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| Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 3:23 pm Post subject: Hydrometer |
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Hi Shaji, :lol:
U can contact the following dealers. They should have a hydrometer in stock.
1. Apex Enterprises - secunderabad
2. Sapphire Scientifics - secunderabad
3. Deccan Tekno - Habsiguda
I have asked my staff for the phone numbers. I will try and send tomorrow.
U could also check with any dealer supplying glassware, scientific instruments & chemicals.
V have hydrometers here but am worried about breakage!!!! 
Regards,
Rama |
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supershaji
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| Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 4:07 pm Post subject: |
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Thanx for the leads Rama!
no record of Sapphire Scientifics
called deccan tekno (040-27609226) but they dont have hydro metres for water. they had something for soil.
Apex enterprises (040-27541012) is not answering. im still trying.
Would you have any idea on how much one of these hydro metres should cost?
Shaji |
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retro_gk
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| Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:00 pm Post subject: |
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Shaji, try the stores supplying instruments to colleges/schools etc...the last one I bought (2002) cost about Rs20.
Scats are sort of nippy and do not do well in most aquaria...they need lots of magnesium.
Monos are schooling fish...I recommend groups of 4 or more.
I'd stick with these for now and worry about archer fish later. |
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supershaji
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| Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:11 pm Post subject: |
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will do in the morning Rahul. thanx for da advice again.
Hope the Monos and the Ceylon Puffers would be compatible
a week long cycling should do before i bring in the main fish, right?
any advice on what else i can add in this tank? |
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retro_gk
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| Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Ummm, a month long cycling is the usual minimum...patience my friend |
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madhu_ulysses
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| Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:22 pm Post subject: |
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| You can kick start or speed up the cycling process by using filter media and/or water from a healthy tank. |
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