PLEASE READ. What do you think?

Question

The hubby and I are going to an aquatic store later. I've finally found one not too far away. After doing a lot of research today, here's what's going to happen. I already have a betta fish and guppies in seperate tanks. My husband and I have decided that we're going to purchase a midnight arothron puffer, an arothron golden puffer, and one 300 gallon tank. I KNOW THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE! This is not the issue. The two puffers are going to share the tank. I checked with a specialist at the aquatic store and she said this was completely fine, as they are both kept at 72-78° F, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4, dKH 8-12, and as long as we introduced them to the new tank at the same time. I have cared for saltwater fish before so I know what I am doing. I've done so much research and the store is providing us with booklets that come with each of the fish about caring for them. Anyway, since we cannot put coral in the tank, we were thinking of some nice live rock. I still have to ask the store about that. But what do you think? Also, the puffers need a varied diet of meat, as in krill, shrimp, or squid. How much of this food should I buy at once? I know I'll find out once I get there. I'm leaving after dinner so I'll be really busy. I'm also buying special lighting as they need high lighting. Okay, do I sound like I've covered everything? Like I said, they're giving us little booklets (as they do with all the marine fish) so I'll know everything I need to know. I'm really busy so if you can, (I know I can find this all out later, but I'm curious) can you tell me the average lifespan of the midnight/golden puffer? Thank you SO, SO MUCH!

-Lilly

Answer 1

it sounds like you know more than the average hobbist..  I say do it and good luck with your fish.. :)

heres some info I found in the net.. hope it helps

Answer 2

That all seems fine! the arothron golden puffers being togather will be fine as well.

Well done everything seems fine!

Answer 3

It looks like you've done your research well.  Don't forget to cycle your tank before adding the fish:  http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php  Your fish should be fine because there's just the two of them, and two fish rarely overload the nitrogen cycle.  It's just when people fully stock the tank right away that they have ammonia problems.  But I did want to make sure you were aware of the nitrogen cycling.  Good luck, you sound like you'll be fine.  :)

Life span is ten years or older for most puffer species according to http://blue1.emerson.u98.k12.me.us/chapl...

And with live food, I buy enough so that I have it for just long enough so it doesn't start to rot.  That's tricky to estimate, though, so I've turned to breeding my own live food.  You might want to look into artemia salina (brine shrimp) since they're so easy to breed, saltwater, and your puffers will love them.  http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~c...