herperjosh Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 hey guys im whanting to get a fresh water pufer and the guy at the store told me they needed a little bit of salt in the aquarium is tonic salt okay? and are they hardy and easy to keep and can they be feed fish flakes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jolliolli Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 true freshwater puffers don't need salt, only the brackish puffers. Which species are you looking at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 the guy at the store told me they needed a little bit of salt in the aquarium is tonic salt okay? Tonic Salt is used for healing fish, if you want to increase the salinity then Marine Salt is the stuff you need. As jolliolli said, true FW Puffers don't need or want extra salt. and are they hardy and easy to keep and can they be feed fish flakes? They can't tolerate Ammonia or Nitrite and may be hard to wean off live (or once-live) food if they're not already on flakes. May need snails to keep teeth in check. So no, they aren't that hardy and I wouldn't recommend them for a Novice Aquarium Keeper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted July 26, 2009 Report Share Posted July 26, 2009 hey guys im whanting to get a fresh water pufer and the guy at the store told me they needed a little bit of salt in the aquarium is tonic salt okay? and are they hardy and easy to keep and can they be feed fish flakes? Freshwater puffers live in rivers, and sometimes come into estuaries. They do benefit from a small amount of marine salt in their water from time to time. If you are going to do this, get a refractometer so you can measure the salinity or don't bother. They can't be fed flakes. Well, they can, and some will eat them, but puffers need a high protein diet (they eat meat almost exclusively) so you're better off feeding them mussels, crab and snails. http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=38614 This thread is a good start - not all of the info will be specific to FW puffers, but feeding and other requirements are still similar. Contrary to popular belief, if you introduce puffers to an established tank and choose healthy fish, worm them once you get them and feed them well, remembering to give them water changes every week, you shouldn't have a problem with them. Just remember, they might eat all your other fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon1990 Posted July 26, 2009 Report Share Posted July 26, 2009 If you're looking at dwarf puffers(there are hepas around atm) They dont require any salt at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted July 26, 2009 Report Share Posted July 26, 2009 They dont require any salt at all. but they taste better with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony law Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 i got one the other day.he loves sails.and fine foods that fit in hes mouth. im thinking to get some more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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