[amelia]

Alright, so I've caught the "puffer bug" that seems to be going around. While I went to wal-mart today to look at fish and help my friend pick out paint for his guitar, I ended up snatching one of two puffers left. While the label said "Spotted green puffer," the fish look more like pictures I've seen of figure eight puffers. I only bought one, because I know they are solitary fish. It's fins are ragged and it does have ick, and I have already set up a 10 gallon tank with an already used filter to boost the cycle for it. I will be planting the aquarium and adding driftwood so it can have a happy home. My question is this:

What is the best cure for ick on puffers, since they have no scales? Is Quick-Cure acceptable? Or Parasite Clear?

Are Figure Eight Puffers REALLY freshwater puffers, as I've read on many internet sites?

How big do they get? Will the ten gallon be big enough or will I need to upgrade later on?

I have added the directed dosage of aquarium salt to the mix of things. Should I add more or do I need to add sea salt (specifically packaged for saltwater aquarium purposes.) ?

I know I need to feed snails. Are there other critters that they can eat? Will they eat ghost shrimp?

What kind of basic fish food should my fish be fed?

Can I put a small plecostomus (dwarf bristlenose or rubber lipped, maybe?) or corydoras catfish with it for obvious purposes, or do I need to find other means of keeping the tank clean?

Anything else that you can think to add, please do. I am VERY willing to learn about keeping a puffer, and I am willing to keep it alone in a decent sized home that it can be comfortable in. I want this fish to be happy just as much as I want my other fish to be happy. I think it has the potential to be a great, fun, and rewarding fish, and I want to reward it with a happy life.

Thank you very much!

EDIT: Can MELAFIX be used to help aid the healing of the fish's torn fins? Will it hurt him? What dosage should be used? If Quick Cure can be used for the ICK, what dosage?