Velentini Puffer in 34g mixed reef?

[duganderson]

I'm thinking about putting a Velentini Puffer in my 34g. tank with a small clown, small African Flameback, hi-fin goby/pistol shrimp and cleaner shrimp. I will have a mix of softies, LPS, some sps and macro algae. I'm OK taking some risk with nipping at coral.

 

Anyone with experience with these in a mixed reef?

 

Do they really create a much larger bioload than other fish there size? Any estimates of this (1.5 times a fish there size, 3 times a fish there size, etc.)?

 

Thanks in advance.

[jack1978]

Biology, I think you're fine. I'd be worried/watchful of the coral.

 

You run a skimmer?

 

Stupid phone, Bioload, not biology.

[duganderson]

No skimmer but adding a Drop 1.2 algae scrubber.

[ajmckay]

I would be very concerned with a puffer and any shrimp. The puffer will likely nip corals and should leave the fish you mention alone - but it's a matter of time before it eats the shrimp. Can also take out hermits and snails too.

 

Bio-load will be higher with a puffer as you will need to provide it with shelled foods so it can wear down it's teeth as they grow. People usually feed things like shrimp (with the shell), crabs, clams, scallops, etc...

 

Better suited to a FOWLR IMO. Of course you'll see people that have one for a few weeks/months with no issues - but that's not very long.

[William]

Check out the tank of the month last month .... a leopard puffer may have s higher likelyhood of being reef safe

[seabass]

I've sometimes considered a mimic puffer: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+30+1724&pcatid=1724

 

However, they are still not considered completely reef safe.

[jack1978]

I've sometimes considered a mimic puffer: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+30+1724&pcatid=1724

However, they are still not considered completely reef safe.

I've had one for a few months now.....hasn't touched a thing....besides pods and my sister.

Amazingly cool fish.