MaddieLynn

OK, I've found this kind of puffer I'm really interested in. It's called Colomesus asellus. I was wondering if anyone (Pink specifically) could give me alot of info on this species? I've looked it up online, but I'm not sure how reliable those sources are. Could I keep 2 in a 29g? I've read that they aren't as aggressive as most other puffers. Also, alot of sites I've seen have said something like "6 inch fish have been reported, but aquarium fish only get to around 3 inches". Is this because of stunting?

jgon_

http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/...ter/C_Asellus/

The Puffer Forum is about as reliable as it can get.

pinkfloydpuffer

2 should be fine in a 29g. They are quite skitterish and shy for puffers, and like living in groups. They are generally nice to other fish, but are known to be fin-nippers, so it's not suggested to put them with slow-moving and/or long-finned fish. And of course their teeth grow at extremely fast rates. Even feeding them a snail every day isn't enough to keep their teeth down, and you'll have to end up trimming their teeth yourself at least once a year. They're very cute though

MaddieLynn

But I read that it's not good for their health to trim them, because you have to use clove oil on them to tranquilize them? What if I fed them Malaysian trumpet snails every day? Those have hard shells, and I happen to know someone who has TONS... and hey! Her name is MaddieLynn too! Hehehehe

But I'm still wondering about the size thing - what's up with the "Aquarium fish only get to 3 inches, but in the wil they can be up to 6 inches"? Is it stunting?

Also, in one source I read that they shouldn't be kept in a tank under 100cm long because they are so active. That came out to 39", and my 29g is only 30"... would it still be OK? Only one of the places I read said anything about that.

Could I have more than 2 in a 29g, or is 2 the limit?

pinkfloydpuffer

Well, if you don't trim their teeth then their teeth will overgrow their mouths and they won't be able to eat. So although it's not good, it's gotta be done. I highly suggest looking into the product Finquel. It's a safe anesthetic and a good alternative to clove oil. Unfortunately it can be hard to find it in stock. I've been looking for some for quite a while. I'm not sure if the MTS will be enough. There's alot of variables... but it's certainly worth a try.

I can't answer that question for sure, but there are many fish that never grow as big in an aquarium as in the wild, even if kept in a large tank. So I'm not sure there.

As with most puffers, give them tons of decor and stuff to explore and they'll love their home. I wouldn't worry about it being too short.

The listed bioload for one is 15g, so I can only suggest keeping 2 in a 29g.

MaddieLynn

Sooo... what if I used my 55g for them? Could I have 4 south american puffers and an angelfish in the 55g? I want to get my angelfish out of the 29g so he'll have more room to spend.

pinkfloydpuffer

Bioload-wise, yes. I am not sure if the puffs are compatible with angels though. Remember that you could easily end up with nipped angel fins. But it could possibly work, I'm not sure.