Figure 8 in a community tank?

[blcknwitecuban]

im looking on aquahobby and a large majority of the people say that they are keeping figure 8's successfully in a community tank... and i must admit i am tempted to do so as well seeing as people claim to keep them peacefully with angels, bettas, and plecos..

if i did put him in my community tank it would be in a 29g with some white clouds, 7 black line rasboras, 4 kuhli loaches, 3 platies, and 3 rams. these fish would probably out run him IF he got the munchies... i was guessing i could just try him out in there and if i see aggression put him in a 10g. i just dont think its right for me to jeprodize my other fishes safety.. what do you think?

[Blue Cray]

The fish would get owned, either badly hurt or eaten. Puffers are very agressive and I'm not sure but I think figure eights need brackish water and need much more than 30g alone. I find it very hard to believe a figure eight was successfully housed with angels and they lived peacefully together.

[blcknwitecuban]

uhm from my research they can be ok in a 10g by themselves. but i am getting ALOT of mixed answers when it comes to BW or FW.. i have come to the idea that they are naturally both! lol. i think that in the rivers they inhabit some live closer to the oceans and BW and others like farther up and in FW. not to sound smart assy but have you ever had one? on aquahobby like half of the post are from people with them in community tanks and i want to find someone who has had expirence with then

[Blue Cray]

I've had a few puffers and researched them alot, the brackish puffers turn fully marine when they are full grown and they need tons of swimming space and a figure eight will grow way to big for a 10g.

[blcknwitecuban]

you sure? Puffers is a broad term and I dont think that all BWs need full marine.

Well thanks for letting me know. I dont think ina get a f8 then..

[MaelStrom]

figures are brackish...
GSP's are brackish then turn full marine as adults

[blcknwitecuban]

well i was planning on getting a 20g but i decided im going to focus on shell dwelling cichlids instead. maybe in another life.. :P

[Scuba Kid]

Originally Posted by Blue Cray

I've had a few puffers and researched them alot, the brackish puffers turn fully marine when they are full grown and they need tons of swimming space and a figure eight will grow way to big for a 10g.

You should research some more. Or keep them for yourself.

Figure eights do not need more than 10 gallons of swimming space if kept alone. And they can be kept successfully in brackish or freshwater conditions, although they tend to benefit from being kept in brackish conditions. In nature though, they are found in freshwater areas in Southeast Asia.

At one time, I also thought they needed low-end brackish conditions to thrive, but that is not the case. They are happy in either.

However, I would not risk keeping one in a community tank. In my experience, all puffers can become nippy or aggressive, some obviously being more of a nuissance than others. Figure eights tend to be a less aggressive species of puffer, so it can be done, but you want to check your stocking over to find the most compatible species. Also, keep the largest tank possible with plenty of cover and keep in mind that it will be a risk you are taking, so keep a close eye.