Puffer fish - help

I wish I had found this site sooner. My 20 gall. is relatively new but water tested good and had good luck so far with the guidance from the staff at the fish store. Until yesterday. Between the guy at the store and my daughter's pleading I brought home a Figure 8 puffer. Also in the tank are only tetras, one balloon Mollie, and a bushy nose. When I got home and began reading about the new fish I discovered she will want live food....off to the store today to buy ghost shrimp. Now I have ghost shrimp in the tank and she shows no interest and isn't as active as she was yesterday and earlier today. I added an extra filter as I read they need double filters. But I am concerned that they really do best in brackish water and what does this mean for compatability. I am worried. I realize now never buy another fish without research of MY OwN first. But, any advice on how to handle this now would be most appreciated. Thank you

 

If you can't keep him in brackish water return his to the LFS. He's not compatable with your current stock. He also shouldn't be eating ghost shrimp; brine shrimp and small snails are the correct diet.

 

I agree I have a pea puffer and I alternate pest snails live brine shrimp and live blood worms

 

Figure 8s don't belong in freshwater as previously stated by MikeRad89. Giving the fish back is the only responsible thing to do.

If you find you really want to keep figure 8s, I'd start researching brackish tanks and prepare yourself properly before buying another one.

By the way I'm on the mobile app and can't see your post count but I haven't seen you around and want to say: Welcome to FishLore!

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Fish Lore Aquarium Fish Forum mobile app

 

Thank you for the help and welcome. I also feel that returning the fish is the right thing to do.
I am not ready to start another tank yet. Need to take care of the one I have and educate myself better first before any more purchases.

 

We have almost all been in the position of an uninformed fish purchase. The important thing is that we learn from our mistakes.

Hope to see you around!

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Fish Lore Aquarium Fish Forum mobile app

 

Thank you for the help and welcome. I also feel that returning the fish is the right thing to do.
I am not ready to start another tank yet. Need to take care of the one I have and educate myself better first before any more purchases.

Figure 8's are very rewarding fish to keep if you have a tank set up specifically for them. Good on you for returning him until you're ready to do that!