'8' Puffer prone to fin ROT?

[eric_kclee]

Hi, am new to Puffer fish. Want to try keeping one. Need some advice.

I saw most of the puffer(all types) in LFS are all having fins broken...are these 'fin rots' or 'fin torn' due to Puffer attacking each other. (I heard it likes to peck on other fish's fin)

Wanted to get one figure'8' puffer to get rid of snail.
1. Is it OK to keep a single fish?
2. Are they prone to fins rot?
3. other advice?

[lorba]

from my experience, puffer gets white spot or some fungus diseases easily. One will probably finish up the snail in a few days max, and later, either thrive nipping your fishes or starve to death as they are not fast enough in snatching up food. Some are quite picky in what they are fed as they usually prefer live food, something moving.

[desolator]

1. Is it OK to keep a single fish?
It is better to keep it alone in a tank.

2. Are they prone to fins rot?
Brackish water will had problem if keep for prolong period in freshwater.

3. other advice?
Try to keep freshwater puffer.

[sherchoo]

My advise on puffers is don't get one. Snails do not harm a planted tank. I undersatnd it would be abit unsightly with snails lurking here and there but I've come across a few puffers after clearing snails, there are put in small containers awaiting death. Actually snails do help to clear off rotting or dying matters.

Maybe you may want to try keeping dwarf cichlids like rams or apistos which are known to rid of snails.