Valentini Puffer Care

mjreefs · Feb 27, 2019

So, I've read some threads on the Valentini Puffer and I've picked up some tips on its care, but there are some questions I would need answering before I seriously consider on getting one:

1. Don't use nets when transferring between tanks. There's no problem with acclimation as I could just transfer him from the bag to a container, then from the container to a QT, but when transferring him from the QT to the DT, how do you do that? I really don't want QT water to mix with my DT water.

2. It eats everything you throw in the tank, but care must be taken as their teeth grow, so it must be "crushed" regularly. I feed my fish pellets (1mm-2mm), frozen seafood mix, frozen mysis and nori, would this be enough? And how do you "crush" its teeth apart from offering some shellfish?

3. My QT protocol involves 30 days of copper, 2 rounds of prazipro and the antibacterial trifecta (only when needed; I don't like treating it prophylactically since bacteria might get resistance from these drugs). And there's no way for me to get Chloroquine. My copper dosing is done in a span of 5-7 days since I've handled sensitive pygmy angels (flame, multicolor). Would this work for a QT regimen?

4. Current FOWLR tank has: 5-6" Annularis Angelfish, 5" Magnificent foxface, 4-5" Mustard Tang, 4" PBT, 4" PT, 3-4" HYT, 3" Scribbled Angelfish, 3" Flame Angelfish and 2-3" Multicolor Angelfish, a pair of clownfish (around 2-3"). Planning to add a Queen Angelfish and a Flame Hawfish (love their personality). Would the Valentini Puffer work well in a semi-aggressive tank setup?

I do apologize for many questions, as this is the first time to potentially deal with a puffer, I've dealt with angels and tangs, but not with puffers yet. Thank you for the responses!

Big G · Feb 28, 2019

Nets are ok if you can use a very fine mesh net when the fish puffs up it doesn't seem to catch as bad as the more open nets. Other than that you can use on of those silicone strainer tools to scoop the fish. The best one is a kinda square one about 5"x 5" or so, the square shape goes great especially when chasing the fish into the corner of the tank.

Frozen clams work great for keeping their teeth ground to the proper range.

Some puffers do not do well in copper at all. I've used Copper Power, with a Hanna Copper Checker and slowly dosed over 5 days to 1.75 ppm and have had good success. Break up the daily dose into 2 or 3 smaller doses each day instead of one big daily dose as you are increasing up to therapeutic level. The key is pristine water and great quality food. If its eating well, it should do well.

Fish should be fine. But you never know. And I love the personality of my puffer. It comes up and splashes the water to remind me it's feeding time. Can almost feed it by hand, but those teeth are sharp!

mjreefs · Feb 28, 2019

Big G said:
Nets are ok if you can use a very fine mesh net when the fish puffs up it doesn't seem to catch as bad as the more open nets. Other than that you can use on of those silicone strainer tools to scoop the fish. The best one is a kinda square one about 5"x 5" or so, the square shape goes great especially when chasing the fish into the corner of the tank.

Frozen clams work great for keeping their teeth ground to the proper range.

Some puffers do not do well in copper at all. I've used Copper Power, with a Hanna Copper Checker and slowly dosed over 5 days to 1.75 ppm and have had good success. Break up the daily dose into 2 or 3 smaller doses each day instead of one big daily dose as you are increasing up to therapeutic level. The key is pristine water and great quality food. If its eating well, it should do well.

Fish should be fine. But you never know. And I love the personality of my puffer. It comes up and splashes the water to remind me it's feeding time. Can almost feed it by hand, but those teeth are sharp!

Would they readily accept pellets? I actually have some plastic strainers, not sure if they can be used to catch the puffers, I'll upload a picture. How often should you ground the teeth of these cute little creatures? As for the copper, I've got cupramine and have great success when treating sensitive angels with it, and I usually ramp it up in 5 days or possibly longer.