A discussion about porcupine pufferfish

[creebo]

I'm actually thinking of getting a porcupine puffer and I'm in luck since someone local is selling one, and they claim it's never nipped at a coral before.

I was wondering, is it possible for some fish that are generally considered not reef-safe to actually be okay in a reef tank? Or is it just a matter of time before they inevitably start nipping at your corals?

[rileyon]

I think it's fair to say each fish has its own personality, just like us. Some might be fine with coflakes, others not so much. But even if they seem okay at first, there's always a chance they could start nipping at them out of the blue. And with puffers, they can grow quite a bit, which is something to consider. Generally, fish are labeled as reef safe or not for a reason, but it's not a hard and fast rule.

[felinxo]

In this hobby, anything can happen, and there's no one-size-fits-all rule.

When it comes to Porkies, the general guidelines are pretty straightforward. They'll likely devour all your cucumbers, need a spacious tank of at least five feet, and since they're messy eaters, a good filtration system is a must.

I have a soft spot for these lovable creatures, and I'm hoping to have one of my own someday.

Seffie x

P.S. If you're interested in learning more, I'd recommend reaching out to zenfox8 – he's had one for a while now and is an expert on these amazing fish.

[creebo]

Thanks for the input guys, still on the fence about adding a porcupine puffer to my reef. I'm worried if it does go after my coflake, removal's gonna be a nightmare.