amazon puffer

Question
Hi, i was thinking about getting a amazon puffer. I wanted to know if it will go good with an african butterfly, platies and swordtails. Also, do they reallt puff up and become a spiky balloon? Also, what do they eat and are they saltwater or freshwater fishes? Thanks for all your help.

Answer
Hi John,
  They are interesting but I do not recommend that you put them with any other fish.  Puffers are highly efficient predators. A puffer has a very strong "beak" in place of teeth and will usually remove the fins (or more) off of any tankmates.  

 There are both freshwater and saltwater ones.  The freshwater ones don't often do the "puffing" thing, and many of them do not have any spikes.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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