Figure 8 Puffers/Brackish water plants

Question
Hi,
I just got a new tank and I was looking at the fish at my local pet store and 1 caught my eye, Figure 8 puffers. I've done my research on them and learned that they can live in fresh water but are best kept in brackish water. I didn't have any problem with starting a brackish water tank until I realized that I would not be able to put live plants in it like i had hoped to do. Is there any way that I can have both? Are there plants that can live in brackish water or will i have to settle for one or the other? And what are the problems with keeping a Figure 8 puffer in a freshwater tank?

-Nick

Answer
Hi Nick,
Figure-eight puffers are one of those species that definitely grab your eye! With their unique coloration and pattern, comical shape and behavior they are quite interesting little pets to keep.

Figure-eight puffers are very curious and so may nibble or chomp at live plants. So keep this in mind. Regardless, some of the plant species you can try are Java Moss and Java ferns. These two are quite sturdy and hardy species that tolerate brackish water. Also Anacharis is a generally easy to grow species but does appreciate decent lighting.

These puffers, (like many brackish water species) are quite adaptable due to their origin native habitats, the salinity levels are very likely to fluctuate very frequently throughout their lives. While Figure-eights can live in freshwater (most petstores keep them in fresh) brackish water will help them live much longer and these fish can have quite a long lifespan. I've heard 12 or more years!

Keeping figure-eights in freshwater can render their immune system more susceptible to illness and general poor health. Some brackish water fish that are kept in fresh can develop bad skin conditions and I highly doubt that puffers are immune to this.

Puffers are easy to care for as long as their needs are met... You must make sure -

*They are introduced to a fully-cycled tank (they cannot tolerate ammonia or nitrite)
*The puffers are gradually acclimated to brackishwater (remember, most petstores keep them in fresh. So they would be put in shock if added to brackish tank suddenly)
(You can cycle the tank and start the puffer out in freshwater. Then gradually start adding brackish water to the aquarium until it is fully brackish. Both fish and bacteria will adapt if its done slowly)

*Brackish water is only made with synthetic sea salt (Like Instant Ocean). Not just plain aquarium salt.

*Figure-eights are fed the proper foods - (This includes plenty of healthy meaty foods like shrimp, worms, krill and most other frozen meaty fish foods. Keep a small tank for breeding Ramshorn snails to feed to your figure-eight. Snails are very important to keep the puffer's beak trimmed)

*Their water is kept pristine as possible. Puff's don't do well with high nitrates. So frequent large water changes are vital for good long-term health.

*They are provided with an interesting environment with lots of places to explore since these are very smart and curious fish.

These are the basics of owning Figure-eight puffers. But I do recommend that you do more research from reliable sources. Talk with other figure-eight puffer owners... (don't trust petstore advice) and learn as much as you can about these little comical fish. They are truly 'water pets'.

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Here is a link to a very good article on brackish setups including one for figure-eight puffers -
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/brackish/brackish.html

I found this helpful list of brackish water plants and more info about them -
http://homepage.mac.com/nmonks/Projects/FAQ/2d.html

http://www.pufferfish.net/  - is a forum where you can further post questions about puffers.
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Keep in mind there -is- a freshwater puffer. A tiny little fish called the 'Dwarf Puffer' they reach barely an inch. Are truly freshwater species and therefore many more plants can be kept with them. In fact, many people keep their dwarf puffers in gorgeous planted tanks.
Here is a photo of the Dwarf Puffers -
http://www.azaquaticplants.com/community/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=496


I do hope this helps and best of luck!!
Susan~