Puffer tank-mates

Forgive me if this is the wrong place, I am new! haha

So I have had a Green Spotted puffer for about two years now, and it has been in marine conditions for about 6 months. I have not had much luck with having tank-mates (I have tried various invertebrates but no fish). But mostly, I am afraid to add anything because I have heard that they nip at the fins of other fish.

I just got a new tank (28 gallon JBJ Nanocube) and am in the process of cycling the tank and have been thinking about adding my first fish tank-mate just as a test. I figured I would add it before the GSP so it could gain some sort of territory. My GSP is fairly peaceful throughout the day, but goes crazy when I feed it live food.

Has anyone had ANY success with this? Any fish you would add over another one? I know most puffers do well by themselves anyways so any information is helpful!

Thanks,
Allen

 

most fish would do well besides very delicate ones, try a coral beauty or flame angel.

 

I have seen Puffers housed with larger Damsels without problem, I would think its because they where so agressive. Try some more agressive SW species or ones that are larger, but wont get big enought to eat your tenant.

 

I have 2 mandarins, a YT damsel, o. clown, bangaii cardinal, yellow watchman goby, randall's pistol shrimp and now a starry blenny with my green spotted puffer. My GSP is very peaceful and hasn't harmed or gone after anyone in the tank not even the CUC, though he did eat ghost shrimp and snails when he was in FW.
PufferChick also housed her GSP with other fish in her 46bowfront.

 

I've never kept one but I've had them at the store. If he's been alone for that period of time, I would probably rearrange the rockwork prior to adding a new fish so he has to establish their territory again. Additionally, if you're adding a small fish, I would probably add more than one at the same time.

 

It really depends on the gsp. Mine never bothers another fish, but he goes after his natural foods like yours has, because it's his food. I wouldn't put anything aggressive in the tank. Either he would be picked on to death and not fight back, or he will snap back and use those snail crushing teeth of his. Put something peaceful in and just stay near the tank for a while when you add him and see what he does.

 

thanks guys!

Would you recommend a goby?

 

Adding my fish is about a week away. Would anyone recommend a clownfish?

 

As stated earlier it really depends on your fish....I'd try something somewhat peacefull and cheap to see how the GSP acts with it. I know pufferchick's GSP injured or killed off it's first tankmates (not sure if that was in FW or SW) but did eventually put it in the reef w/o incident.

Mine while in FW had peacful community fish and even platty fry....and in SW molly fry and he didn't go after anyone.

My YT damsel is picking on him now, he's like a big marshmallow carrying around a big stick getting picked on by someone half it's size and not realizing he has a formidable weapon available.

My thinking is that the GSP is a peacful fish unless you happen to be a natural food item. I just got lucky with mine and isn't demolishing my meager CUC. He's smart enough to wear down his beak by biting sand and rocks....which at first I was wondering what he was doing till I read some more on a forum devoted to puffers.

Best of luck.