Blue puffer aquarium size

[Redbird5]

I watched a YouTube video called All About by Brock Leonard. He stated that he had a spotted blue puffer in a 20 gallon aquarium as his second fish. I know that puffers might decide to munch on snail and other inverts, but are they good candidates for a medium size aquarium? I have a 45 gallon aquarium.
I have a baby clownfish and a peppermint shrimp I know will be kept in my aquarium. I'm interested in keeping firefish and other fish. Just curious if a smaller puffer could fit in my community.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I watched a YouTube video called All About by Brock Leonard. He stated that he had a spotted blue puffer in a 20 gallon aquarium as his second fish. I know that puffers might decide to munch on snail and other inverts, but are they good candidates for a medium size aquarium? I have a 45 gallon aquarium.
I have a baby clownfish and a peppermint shrimp I know will be kept in my aquarium. I'm interested in keeping firefish and other fish. Just curious if a smaller puffer could fit in my community.

Which species of blue spot puffer? There is a small canthigaster that would work fine, but there is also a Arothron puffer that sometimes called a blue spot that would grow too large.

 

[Redbird5]

This is the episode he talks about what to put in a 20 gallon aquarium. He mentions a blue spotted puffer.


This is the video he talks specifically about the blue spotted puffer.

 

[Sharkbait19]

I have a Valentini in my 40B, similar in size and care to the blue-spotted. It’s not full grown yet, but even the larger ones I’ve seen wouldn’t be outrageous for that size tank. I don’t think that I would agree with one in a 20, but 45 is fine.
Mine is definitely an invert eater - there are far less snails and crabs than there were before it was added. It seemingly ate my peppermint shrimp and ice watched it stalk my tiger pistol shrimp (the only things stopping it are the goby and the fact that the shrimp is bigger than the puffer). I haven’t seen it pick on corals too much but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was.
As for fish tankmates, it lives with a percula clown, ywg, orange spotted blenny, flameback angelfish, royal gramma, and firefish. The clown, angel, and puffer will pick fights with each other occasionally but it’s never been anything too severe.

 

[Hishman]

I glanced at the video and would absolutely disagree that a carnivorous puffer is a "Top Five" for any tank. They will potentially eat inverts, nip at corals and fins, and be aggressive. They need to feed on snails/clams to wear down their teeth. I don't know if they eat any pests like aptasia, flatworms etc either. You will need live rock if you don't have any as they also file their teeth on the rocks.

With that said they are a "floaty" fish and don't need real open spaces the same way something like a tang does. A 45 cube is maybe pushing it once its past a couple inches. 45 long would be no problem.

 

[Redbird5]

I have a Valentini in my 40B, similar in size and care to the blue-spotted. It’s not full grown yet, but even the larger ones I’ve seen wouldn’t be outrageous for that size tank. I don’t think that I would agree with one in a 20, but 45 is fine.
Mine is definitely an invert eater - there are far less snails and crabs than there were before it was added. It seemingly ate my peppermint shrimp and ice watched it stalk my tiger pistol shrimp (the only things stopping it are the goby and the fact that the shrimp is bigger than the puffer). I haven’t seen it pick on corals too much but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was.
As for fish tankmates, it lives with a percula clown, ywg, orange spotted blenny, flameback angelfish, royal gramma, and firefish. The clown, angel, and puffer will pick fights with each other occasionally but it’s never been anything too severe.

It seems like all the interesting fish on my wish list, the dwarf angels, hawkfish, Valentino Puffer or a smaller puffer don't mix with my plans to have coral and inverts. Granted the corals I'd like are soft leather corals and the inverts are apart of the CUC I plan on having.

 

[Redbird5]

The next question I have is what CUC is there that puffers don't eat? Or do I just replace the inverts that are eaten?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

This is the episode he talks about what to put in a 20 gallon aquarium. He mentions a blue spotted puffer.


This is the video he talks specifically about the blue spotted puffer.

Yes - that's the smaller Canthigaster toby. It would be fine size-wise in the larger tank, but I don't consider them reef safe.

Jay

 

[Redbird5]

Yes - that's the smaller Canthigaster toby. It would be fine size-wise in the larger tank, but I don't consider them reef safe.

Jay

Where would I look and how much would I pay for one?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Where would I look and how much would I pay for one?

Wild caught, freshly imported ones can be found fairly cheaply. If you want something a bit more sturdy, you could try this:

https://drreefsquarantinedfish.com/product/blue-spot-puffer/

 

[Sharkbait19]

I’m pretty sure petco’s website usually has them. I don’t like to recommend petco in store, but the website comes right from the supplier and has some of the best prices and healthiest fish I’ve seen (that’s where my Valentini came from).
As for cuc, I have had best success with my zebra turbo snails (the golf ball to baseball sized ones), urchins, conchs, and most hermit crabs. Brittle stars would probably also be fine. Emerald crabs have been hit or miss. Any sand dwelling snail should have better chances but no guarantees.
Angels are generally algae eaters but will also nip at corals. It’s very much up to the individual. Some of mine have been model citizens but others left no coral untouched. My flameback is pretty good (and really pretty so I let it slide).
The hawks are perfectly coral safe, but my longnose was a terror to shrimp. It even would try to eat my ywg while it was small. That said, still a 10/10 fish that I absolutely would recommend as long as you’re aware of the risk.
Frankly, my clowns have been the least reef safe of all my fish but that’s another story.

 

[Redbird5]

I’m pretty sure petco’s website usually has them. I don’t like to recommend petco in store, but the website comes right from the supplier and has some of the best prices and healthiest fish I’ve seen (that’s where my Valentini came from).
As for cuc, I have had best success with my zebra turbo snails (the golf ball to baseball sized ones), urchins, conchs, and most hermit crabs. Brittle stars would probably also be fine. Emerald crabs have been hit or miss. Any sand dwelling snail should have better chances but no guarantees.
Angels are generally algae eaters but will also nip at corals. It’s very much up to the individual. Some of mine have been model citizens but others left no coral untouched. My flameback is pretty good (and really pretty so I let it slide).
The hawks are perfectly coral safe, but my longnose was a terror to shrimp. It even would try to eat my ywg while it was small. That said, still a 10/10 fish that I absolutely would recommend as long as you’re aware of the risk.
Frankly, my clowns have been the least reef safe of all my fish but that’s another story.

I know I don't trust my local Petco after they told me saltwater is hard when I had a question about my ph. They may know how to catch fish, but they don't have a clue about saltwater fish, at least where I live.

 

[LavenderTi]

You could consider a green spotted puffer as well.

 

[Sharkbait19]

I know I don't trust my local Petco after they told me saltwater is hard when I had a question about my ph. They may know how to catch fish, but they don't have a clue about saltwater fish, at least where I live.

That’s why I like the online specifically, it never touches a petco store.

You could consider a green spotted puffer as well.

Maybe in a fowlr. I would never trust one in a reef though; way too aggressive and will definitely go after any invert life.