Amazon Puffer Care Guide - Glass Surfing, Keep Beak/Teeth Trimmed And Tank Mates (Colomesus Asellus)

[@BeFishy]

They're absolutely adorable and well said! I could never find them in my lfs but living through your videos haha!

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

They are indeed haha! Looking to get more but they’re soooo difficult to come across

[@Gods-Shepherds]

Most lfs will order a fish upon request. I've special ordered all my fish from my lfs.

[@m1ndymayhem]

I just ordered 3 on ebay. It's day two, and I'm OBSESSED!!!

[@kennethmatheson4614]

Thanks for this great upload! You’ll remember me from before asking where I might find them...thanks to coral reef I’ve now been a happy owner of 6 of these guys for 2 months now! They are great, love them! Have found many of the same things you mentioned in your video! Good to know about the live food! They definitely appreciated an increase in flow and love poking about the plants...also found blacking out my walls made an immediate and huge difference to the surfing. Interesting note, some jump when the lights turn off? Their wee chubby bodies totally clear the water! ...unless they’ve just eaten then the food coma slows them down lol Tank mate wise I’ve trialed a few, most successful by a long shot has been the neon tetras, been a dream pairing! They also have done great with freshwater gobies and hillstream loaches...rainbow fish were a disaster! gourami and peacock gudgeons also didn’t work Anyhow, thanks for puffer content!

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Thank you for watching and for you comment! I have heard people talking about blacking out the sides etc but it was something I didn’t really want to try with a cube tank but that’s good advice it worked 👌 I know another guy with Amazon puffers who said his jump when the lights go out etc. I have a fluval skylight so mines has a sunset and sunrise feature so I don’t have any issues with that but mines will freak out if I come through in the middle of the night using my phone torch or turn a light on. Yeah tank mates are just a hit or miss! I tried a peacock Gudgeon, I put it in my tank and basically never saw it again so who knows what happened! But super happy to hear your puffers are doing well 👍

[@Emtbtoday]

My new figure 8s done the glass surfing and annoying tank mates but now after a week they great no more surfing and like you said exploring everywhere in the tank! I wanted the amazon puffers fornthe other 200 ltr tank but were sold out so waiting on more coming in! I took 2 figure 8s one is massive to what I have kept in past before but wasn't experienced enough but after 5 years I'm much better lol! I have an angel in with them it did fin nip and harassed it for 2 days but now doesn't batter an aye lid at it the tank is so big but I think its away to have young ots building a nest thing in the black fine sandy gravel and its alot bigger than the ones that were kn the fish shops tanks why I took this as one of them because of the size for a f8 it's bigger than I've had before

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Great, I’m glad you’re enjoying the figure 8s! Good luck with Amazon puffers, they are very hard to find here in the U.K. and definitely worth the wait!

[@ironhelix45]

mine loves frozen krill. It seems to help the beak. I also have a ton of assasin snails in the tank that multiply like crazy. I am noticing more empty shells these days with the opening of the shells being slightly broken. I have been tempted to take a spare tank and try raising ghost shrimp but my local fish store has them pretty cheap and I only buy them once a month or so as a treat.

[@rylandcook3730]

Can you keep these with rummynoes tetra

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Yes 👍

[@rylandcook3730]

Thanks so much been trying to find stuff on theses guys haven’t had any luck

[@crazyfrazee5]

Mine has been in a community with, 4 rams, 2 angels and 2 honey gourami. They have been in the tank for 7 months and not a single nipped fin. I think each puffer is different

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Yeah definitely! I have one that is more of a nipper than the rest!

[@brendanwalsh6640]

I had a puffer fin nip a "peaceful" Otto once, and the two ottos noticed and torpedo slammed the puffer and taught them a lesson to not do it again lmao.

[@CowgirlAtHeart]

Hello 🙋‍♀️. Do you think they would go after Pom Pom Crabs?

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

I would say almost definitely 😅

[@BamaHama914]

I heard a potentially great idea the other day. This puffer owner feeds Repashy filled with crushed oyster shells (poultry supplements) . I was wondering if you had tried this, if so, how well did they accept the repashy?

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

I’ve heard of this idea too 👍 not something I plan on trying but a good idea if the fish will eat it. Amazon puffers are known for being picky, however mines would probably eat it as they eat anything 😂

[@andromedaamour6028]

Hey man i have these Puffers myself an thats all I fed them there first few months they do great with it i did have a problem with one of them eating it and I think what happend is it got so use to the bloodworms it wouldnt accept anything else you can also feed them live ramhorn snails to help with there teeth I had a rapashy/bloodworm mix with oyster shells

[@TheHurdyGurdyMan.]

I just got an Amazon puffer yesterday and I tried feeding him bloodworms today but we won’t eat, he just continues glass surfing. I’m kind of worried he’ll starve 🙁

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Just give it time, they can be really stressed out. Try putting some blood worms in with the lights off as they can be more calm when the lights out! Or some live blood worms so it can eat them when it wants

[@TheHurdyGurdyMan.]

@@Fishkeepingmadeeasy Cool thank you!

[@MrAarthorn]

Great video, I'm considering keeping small puffers and have another tank cycling for them.

[@juli8vdberg562]

Omg thank you so much... I have 7x of them, dwarf actually, and they love to surf on higher flow in the tank and I was worried that must be bad, but seemingly they love it as you say.. They are very busy and I have created many hiding spots for them, yet they are mainly interested in faster stronger flow in the tank on top

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

No problem! Yeah it’s just something they enjoy doing haha! They will eventually explore more

[@juli8vdberg562]

@@Fishkeepingmadeeasy I really didn't know that and was thinking that they might get tired or exhausted trying to swim over the flow to other side on top and.... I have a 60l tank but have replaced the inside filter with an Aquael Pat Mini from my 30l Aquael tank but that filter is absolutely insane, very strong flow and even on the lowest stand, it still is rather strong, but they like that and even stronger flow they still seem to find fun to play in it... Weird crazy fish.. I have 7x of them and call them my 7 samurai

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

They are very crazy indeed haha! Very fun to watch and very interesting

[@juli8vdberg562]

@@Fishkeepingmadeeasy I love to watch them... I added like 30+ shrimps, the Sakura one's, to the tank a few days prior to adding them, and I don't see any of them since, my dwarf crayfish in it died a day later and I thought I leave it in there for the pea puffers to snack on it, but they don't even touch it, they also don't touch snails but they do bite in them if they get a chance and they are nice to my two white cheek Goby's and one pleco in the tank.. But so funny how they keep you entertained... I though have one 30l Iwagumi style Tank too, my own Aqua invented Ukiyo-é painting with a Torii gate in it, very pretty and think of adding one Amazon Puffer to it to watch...

[@evilmizu3588]

how many could I do in a 166.56 liter aquarium? As a species tank with no other fish?

[@jackdorward4777]

Great video very helpful do you think I can keep them in a with apistogrammas in a 280 liter tank

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Definitely, mines lived with about 6 Apistos that I had raised from fry and there were no issues.

[@madgeegee8943]

Hello I appreciate you care guide video, I was wondering if my 29 gallon tank is big enough to have 2 or 3 puffers in it? Currently I have 1 puffer and he seems a little lonely so I wonder what your thoughts are?

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

It would be better to have them as three in a 29 gallon and just make sure you do the water maintenance, than just having one.

[@yeetbomb2015]

Would they do well with a single bristlenose?

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Yeah I had a bristlenose with mines 👍

[@subiludo1928]

I finally found two at my lfs and I'm in loveeeee.

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Brilliant 👍 they’re so hard to find!

[@porecemusnox8805]

Greetings - I just came back to ask how the little fellows are doing after all these years? Cheers! :)

[@freakenstein1991]

Wow. Amazing job on this video. Earned yourself a sub.

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Appreciate that 👌

[@thehumblenarrator1381]

I live in Edinburgh and Im just wondering where you got these guys from? The only place I can find them is in London!

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

I had to order them online, it was a place on EBay I got them. I’ve seen them once in a local fish shop but they’re pretty hard to find so if they’re available I’d buy them. I waited about 3 months for them to even be for sale anywhere

[@awesomearchivist1705]

Hmmm do you think corydoras would be okay with them?

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Yes, I had Corys with them. Just make sure the Corys have hiding spots as the puffers can nip their fins

[@awesomearchivist1705]

@@Fishkeepingmadeeasy good to know I hope to keep these guys in the future when I move sadly right now my apartment only allows you 1 twenty gallon(75 liter) tank.

[@emmypaasio9669]

My puffer dont acceot ANYTHING but bloodworms.. Tried everything.. What should I doo????

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

If you use the technique with the tweezers to feed them that will help with their teeth. But I would recommend mosquito larvae, Krill, a discus mix (it has beef heart etc which mines love) and Mysis shrimp frozen or live! Mines also liked live river shrimp and any live food really. Some people have luck with freeze dried krill and meal worms

[@GroundedGame]

many people make this mistake. Feeding too many bloodoworms.

[@Feems]

I just got an Amazon puffer yesterday but he hasn’t eaten yet :( he’s super active but doing a lot of glass surfing. I ran and got him some ramshorn snails today and some bloodworms (I tried feeding him brine shrimp but he didn’t eat those) and he still hasn’t touched anything. Do you think it’s because of the stress of moving tanks or should I be worried something else is wrong?

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

I would say it’s likely due to stress. It can take fish a few days to relax and eat. Don’t force food just put a little in and if they aren’t interested just wait a day, they will eat when they’re ready!

[@THEE.apples]

Do u still have these puffers? Also do u think a large betta would be fine with these

[@aryah1513]

Smart trick regarding frozen food. Try "Aqueon Tropical Granules" as well as Vibrabites. You will get a really nice crunch. I appreciate the information about glass surfing. What temps have you tried keeping them? I think warmer temperatures increased it for me but not sure.

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Thanks for that! Yeah they won’t take any kind of pellet 😂 I keep mines at 25/26 degrees. Mines don’t surf at all now, only when they get excited when I’m feeding or when they get spooked

[@aryah1513]

@@Fishkeepingmadeeasy Thanks, I noticed the glass surfing increased when I increased the temperature to 83F. I think I might try putting them in a smaller tank with cooler water and see what happens. It's been about 6 months and still daily glass surfing. Kinda sad.

[@aryah1513]

@@Fishkeepingmadeeasy PS when I want to trick a fish into eating something, I feed it with it's favorite food so they accidentally might miss and grab the food I want. The tools and procedure being consistent helps too. But if it ain't broke don't fix it. If their teeth were not getting ground you would have had to trim already. I trimmed mine about 3 months after I got them... just to give you an idea as to how fast they grew.

[@marciesocal7553]

What would your thoughts be on adding new SApuffers to a tank to be pals with one I’ve had for about 2 1/2 years now

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Mines have never shown aggression to each other or to any new fish I add so I think they would likely be more than happy to get some more of their kind

[@kodiguy3772]

Can you please tell us what you feed them daily/weekly so that we can keep their teeth trimmed? I've had mine for less than 6 months and one of them had a huge beak where he couldn't eat anymore, so I had to trim his teeth myself. Thank you!

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

So on a daily basis I’m finding feeding the frozen block of blood worms like I am in the video is helping more than anything else I’ve tried. I do feed them crushed snails, live river shrimp and live Mysis shrimp as they all have crunchy shells. However, beak growth appears to be random. I have one puffer that has tiny teeth, one looks perfect and another’s is beginning to over grow and I’ll need to trim soon. I think other factors including gnawing on rocks and wood have to be considered. One of my puffers is always biting at the drift wood and rocks but I don’t see others doing it. It’s all down to the individual puffer.

[@kodiguy3772]

@@Fishkeepingmadeeasy I will definitely try feeding mine the same way as you do. Thank you!

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

No problem 👍

[@rayluckman9324]

I got a 90 gallon planted will this ok for 6 of them?

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Without a doubt! That would be perfect! Could have way more than 6 in a 90 gallon!

[@jackdorward4777]

I am getting some in a week do you think that these are a hard fish to keep wether that be hardiness or just complicated care requirements.Your video has been extremely helpful

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

I would say they’re pretty hardy but you will need to trim their teeth at some stage

[@yearight1800]

Do you have to keep them in groups

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

I have seen people keep them as a single fish or in pairs but from the behaviour I’ve observed from them I would suggest a group is what they need.

[@NinjaXryho]

I know you already mentioned in another comment that they eat anything, but does that include pellet? These guys are on my wishlist, and I can feed them the good stuff if needed, but I want to know if I can leave them with a feeder for extended leaves. Thanks!

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

I’ve never really tried pellets too be honest. But I would assume they would take them eventually as they’ve never really turned down any food I’ve offered them

[@haileydaidone8260]

I’ve been hearing a lot about these fish being prone to dental issues. Would you agree? I’m looking to get one but want to make sure it is a good fit, seeing as this is my first puffer.

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Only dental issue is teeth growth. So far after 16 months I’ve had no issues. It’s all about diet really.

[@haileydaidone8260]

@@Fishkeepingmadeeasy would you consider it a good beginner puffer?

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

@@haileydaidone8260 probably not for a beginner fishkeeper but if you’re experienced in keeping fish and do you’re research then they should be pretty easy to keep 👍

[@haileydaidone8260]

@@Fishkeepingmadeeasy I’ve been doing research for roughly 2 months! I’ve certainly prepared for him! I just want to make sure it is a good fit (so sorry for all of the questions!) but I have heard that even with crunchy foods you’ll still have to clip their teeth. Do you believe this is true?

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

I think yes eventually you will have to trim them but not as often as it’s made out. People say every 6 months. But after 16 months mines are fine. One is showing signs of longer teeth but not to the point where they need trimmed. All puffers are different so some will bite rocks and wood and others won’t so it’s hard to put a number on teeth trimming

[@MrStevie15]

Why do you use pinchers to feed bloodworm?:)

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

I explain it in the video, but I use them to hold the cube of frozen blood worms in place so the puffers can bite it, trimming their teeth and feeding them at the same time

[@CB-xs7kw]

What's the best Substrate for the Congo spotted puffer

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

I would say a sandy substrate

[@CB-xs7kw]

Which sand for freshwater would you recommend

[@KeepItBrief89]

I have a green and black puffer they love blood worms

[@mando8913]

What is a good tank size for 3 of these fish?

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Something 100 litres or more 👍 they’re small but like a lot of room to swim around

[@abby3373]

Mine will definitely have snails like bladder snails and mts with frozen foods can’t wait to put 6 inside a 20L

[@CowgirlAtHeart]

6 puffers in 20 long? 😱

[@rhino7872]

Why they look like figure 8

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Nature 😂 they do look a wee bit alike actually!

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

great vid

[@joshskov2134]

What genders are the puffers?

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

No idea. There are no visible differences between male and female. I’d assume my slightly larger and more aggressive one is a male but it’s anyone’s guess

[@joshskov2134]

@@Fishkeepingmadeeasy Okay thanks! I am looking to get 3 of these fish for my 40 gallon and I was wondering what male to female ratio you had because it seems to be working.

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

I think it’s one male and 2 females as the larger one acts slightly different and seems obsessed with one of the other puffers haha! However, I don’t think it matters much as I’ve never seen any aggression at all towards each other

[@joshskov2134]

Okay cool, that's the ratio I hope to get. This channel seems great. Can't wait to see more of those three little puffers! I'm subscribing!

[@DemDiddyDizzy]

Honestly I love the idea of owning these little guys but I’ve heard their teeth can be a pain. Have you ever had to trim their beaks in the time you’ve owned them? Thank you so much for the video! Your video has lots of helpful advice and while it’s made me a bit more comfortable thinking about owning them I’m still incredibly nervous about their teeth

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

I’ve replied in the other video 😅

[@OscarAguilar-bg9il]

Can I mix puffer Congo with Amazon puffer ?

[@007merc9]

I have a 10 gal aquarium

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Unfortunately that is definitely not big enough for these active puffers.

[@007merc9]

@@Fishkeepingmadeeasy well my 1 lives fine in it so too bad

[@m1ndymayhem]

@@007merc9 Yes, it is too bad, for your poor fish. Yet, you seem quite proud of yourself. Odd.

[@007merc9]

@@m1ndymayhem they all died lmao

[@marciesocal7553]

My lil dude eats snails, ghost shrimp, vibra bites, frozen foods, shrimp pellets, bug bites and he likes to chomp on algae wafers.

[@kennynguyen2655]

i was planning on feeding mine ghost shrimp as well. do you quarantine the shrimp before feeding? the ones at the fish stores seem sick and weak so i’m unsure about feeding right away

[@marciesocal7553]

I didn’t quarantine, to be honest I didn’t even consider doing so. I guess I got a healthy bunch , they are breeding successfully in my tank now.

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

The river shrimp we get in Scotland come in small packets from farms, I’ve never had an issue with parasites or anything. If you don’t feel confident don’t feed them there are plenty other foods 👍

[@kennynguyen2655]

Fishkeepingmadeeasy i live in the US so our local fish stores are not the best😅

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Yeah if you don’t trust them I wouldn’t bother. It will just stress you out 👍 try online, you might get some reputable places there. I sometimes get mines off of eBay and have never had a proble

[@mylescordier]

Those aren’t pee puffers. Those are green spotted puffers.

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Yes……. I know. What is the purpose in this comment 😂

[@mylescordier]

@@Fishkeepingmadeeasy me searching pea puffers and this video popping up and me thinking that it was pee puffers on accident

[@MartinZamboch70]

sorry but ice is not ok for fish which normally live in the river with up to 30 degrees celsius!

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

5 years and healthy fish would suggest otherwise! I’m sure they see it as a nice way to cool off in the warm waters

[@ryanclark5084]

E

[@SuperBanjo007]

Liters. Ugh.

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Litres. Ugh.

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Tell us you’re American without telling us you’re American

[@appointed1ok977]

#convictfish1s. I subscribed

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Thank you!

[@Ripsaw17]

Man they look so close to figure eights

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

They are quite similar