Freshwater Puffer Fish

Question
Hi David,
I am looking into buying a freshwater puffer fish and I want to do the research before I buy. I have found most of the information I needed, except for the appropriate tank size. I found a couple websites with different answers ranging from 1 puffer per 5 gallons to 1 puffer per 10 gallons and I would just like to know what the correct answer would be. I am only wanting one puffer and I would like the smallest tank possible. Can you help me? Thank you in advance! I appreciate it!
Clarissa

Answer
hello Clarissa:  If you are going to purchase one of the common puffers such as the figure eight puffer, or the green spotted puffer then I would suggest a 20-25 gallon tank.  This is because eventually they will need a heavy brine tank and smaller tanks are hard to maintain a salt environment.  I know that they say these are freshwater fish but that is primarily true when they are younger and as they age their bodies need a salt tank.  Puffers can get large... I recently had the privilege to care for a stars and stripes puffer that was over a foot long... very beautiful.  The golden pea puffers are quite small and stay quite small... one of those could live in a betta condo with filter... My general disclaimer with puffers is that they eat everyone ... so that being said... I recommend one puffer in a tank by itself... do you know what kind of puffer you would like to get??? dave