Availability of Mbu puffers Hi Robert, I am looking to stock a 29gal tank with some sort of puffer (it is empty now). Can you tell me where to look for a Mbu puffer? <Your better retailers should be able to "special order" you one. If not them, the etailers about can do so. A few of these are listed on our links pages: http://wetwebmedia.com/links.htm And where to find out water chemistry requirements? <It's a bit of work, but I'd use fishbase.org: for instance, cut and paste this URL: http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=10103 for the Mbu puffer... you can insert any common or scientific name in Fishbase's search feature... it will give you habitat information for many species, references (albeit scientific) for many. Have you read through the FAQs on freshwater and brackish puffers posted on our site?: http://wetwebmedia.com/fwpufferfaqs.htm Other people's Mbu puffer queries/my responses there> If not this species maybe a more available one like green spotted or Congo. Thanks for any info you can provide. Jesse Durham, NC USA <Keep studying my friend. Bob Fenner>
Re: availability of Mbu puffers Thanks very much for your reply. Your website is fantastic. I will continue my research until I am sure to treat my finned friends right. Jesse <Outstanding! Bob Fenner>

Jaws the Mbu Puffer? <Ananda here today, fielding the puffer questions...> is this a silly question? if you were to be accidentally nipped by a Mbu puffer would you get sick? <Not a silly question at all. There might not be any of the puffer toxin in the bite, but there could be other nasties in the tank that might make a cut unpleasant, to say the least.> I know if you value your life you shouldn't try to eat them in the sushi bars and such.. I don't know who could eat a puffer anyway.... <Me neither! And I love sushi, but puffers are just too cute to consider eating. Even if it wasn't dangerous.> I know they could kill you if you ingest them, what about just sticking your hands in the aquarium and such? <At the least, do wash your hands -- and arms! -- with hot water and soap before and after putting them in the tank. If you have any cuts or scrapes on your hands, use aquatic gloves. Otherwise, you risk getting infections from the stuff in your tank, and risk contaminating the tank, especially if you use hand creams/lotions, perfumes, etc. --Ananda>