Valentini Puffer Info

[gsw0716]

I'm planning on setting up a simple 30 gallon FOWLR tank. I really like Valentini Puffers, I'd like to get one as the centerpiece of that tank. Would like to hear experiences with them, good and bad. I know 30 gallons is maybe borderline tank size too, so if you think that's too small, I'd go with something else. This is what I would like to have eventually stock wise. Wondering if you guys think this stock list would be a good fit.

Thank you,

Valentini Puffer
2 medium sized ocellaris clowns that would be moving over from my smaller nano.
Royal gramma (maybe)
Flame or longnose hawkfish (maybe)

Of course, no Inverts.

 

[JumboShrimp]

They are really great fish. But I had one in a 6' long tank once, and it loved to swim the entire length. I'd be a little concerned that a 30-gallon tank would be a touch too short. If you had a minimal number of tank mates, he might have more room to explore.

 

[gsw0716]

Thank you sir, I'll keep that in mind, maybe look into a little longer. Did yours show any aggression to anything other than inverts?

 

[JumboShrimp]

Mine was a FOWLR, and I don't recall having any shrimp. Definitely don't start with an $80.00 Fire (Blood) Shrimp. Lol. Maybe test things out with the Puffer with the cheapest kind of shrimp you can find.

 

[gsw0716]

Mine was a FOWLR, and I don't recall having any shrimp. Definitely don't start with an $80.00 Fire (Blood) Shrimp. Lol. Maybe test things out with the Puffer with the cheapest kind of shrimp you can find.

Do you think clowns would be okay with it? What about a flame hawkfish?

 

[Jmp998]

I had a Canthigaster valentini in ~120 gallon tanks for about 8 years. Wonderful fish, full of personality, always following the humans when they were near the tank. She was very active, throughout the whole day, exploring every crack and crevice of the rocks looking for tasty morsels. Any new coral etc that was added was inspected thoroughly, but she did not nip any of them. I also think a 30g would have been too small for such an active and inquisitive fish.

Small snails, worms, etc were tasty snacks, but she did not bother peppermint shrimp or 'skunk' cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis). No aggression to other fish.

One caution-to my surprise she was a real jumper. Without a lid she would not have stayed in the tank long.

 

[gsw0716]

Maybe, I'll look into at least a 40 long or possibility larger. I had a Hawaiian spotted puffer way back in the day and it was a bit aggressive, but awesome. I appreciate the advice.

 

[JumboShrimp]

You are making some interesting choices for a 30-gallon tank. For instance, the Flame Hawk and the Valentini could be OK (and I'm assuming it's not a cube shape), but honestly a 50-gallon tank would be much better to keep them together, especially if you add a clown. My best advice it to really plan your 'must have' fish very carefully, because after rock and sand and equipment you will really fill up quicker than you might think. Still, there are a lot of cool fish for a 30 gallon.

 

[gsw0716]

You are making some interesting choices for a 30-gallon tank. For instance, the Flame Hawk and the Valentini could be OK (and I'm assuming it's not a cube shape), but honestly a 50-gallon tank would be much better to keep them together, especially if you add a clown. My best advice it to really plan your 'must have' fish very carefully, because after rock and sand and equipment you will really fill up quicker than you might think. Still, there are a lot of cool fish for a 30 gallon.

Yeah, I may go larger, I just happened to have picked up a used 30 gallon at a garage sale, still may set it up but not do the valentini unless i go larger.