Having a pufferfish as your first freshwater pet is an awesome moment, if you are looking for some suggestions about pufferfish cost, this article is perfect for you.
The range of cost for a pufferfish as a pet would be anywhere between $34 to roundly $350. The majority of pufferfish breeds are less than $100. Accessories will cost around $35. In total, a pufferfish costs around $70 to $170, including accessories for a pet puffer.
Contents
- What Kind of Pufferfish Should I Buy? How much Does It Cost?
- How Much Does A Pufferfish Cost As Pet?
- Dog Face Puffer Fish Price ($99 to $300)
- Valentini Puffer Price (Around $40 to $50)
- Dwarf Puffer Fish ($5)
- Red-Eyed Puffer Fish Price ($15 to $30)
- South American Puffer Fish Cost ($25 – $35)
- Fahaka Puffer Fish ($32)
- Target Puffer Fish Price ($55 – $85)
- Ocellated Puffer Fish Price ($18 to $32)
- Golden Puffer Price ($169.99 to $439.99)
- Mbu Puffer Fish Price ($174.99 to $449.99)
- First Bonus: What Are Other Costs When Having A Pufferfish?
- What Type of Food Do Pufferfish Need?
- Second bonus: How To Get a Pufferfish as A Pet for Free
- Wrapping Up
What Kind of Pufferfish Should I Buy? How much Does It Cost?
There are a lot of places online where you can get more info, on pufferfish, how to look after them as well as which breed may suit you.
Let’s continue reading
Can I Have a Pufferfish as a Pet?
You can have a pufferfish as a pet. Before getting a puffer as a pet. You need to know the cost of different species as well as the relevant accessories.
Prices of Pufferfishes Are Different for Each Seller
For example, the cost for a Dog Face Puffer (which is a common pet among fish keepers) is 30.39 USD, while their Valentini Puffer goes for 18.04 USD.
PetSmart is another place to keep your eyes on. They did sell Dwarf Puffers and other species a few years back. So, they may bring them back again with other breeds.
The right type and size of pufferfish to get depend on how much space you have at home to house them.
And what kind of breed do you like?
Planning to have a pufferfish? Check out the book we recommend for proper pufferfish care. You won’t become an expert on pufferfish, but it will help you avoid the common mistakes made by new pet fish owners.
- Lang, Elliott (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 138 Pages - 03/05/2013 (Publication Date) - IMB Publishing (Publisher)
Last update on 2022-12-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How Much Does A Pufferfish Cost As Pet?
Since size and breed determine the cost of owning pufferfish, we have made a list of 10 pufferfishes that you may want to add to your fish collection.
Dog Face Puffer Fish Price ($99 to $300)
One of the pufferfish that we will look at is the Dog-Face Puffer. It gets its name because of its dog-like appearance as well as having a similar personality to man’s best friend.
They go by other names such as Arothron Dog Face Pufferfish and Blackspotted Pufferfish. Their bodies are usually brown, gold, yellow, gray, or orange with black spots.
Their diets can be a mix of meaty foods such as shrimp, squid, mussels, and krill with some crustaceans and corals mixed in for good measure.
Like dogs, they can beg to be fed which can happen after they have gotten used to their new home. In the beginning, they tend to be shy. They are saltwater puffers.
The Dog Face Puffer can live with others of its kind but they are known as being semi-aggressive. It will also depend on each one of their personalities. The one you get may or may not get along with the other fishes.
The price range can be anywhere between $99.39 to about $300 USD depending on where you buy them and the sizes.
Valentini Puffer Price (Around $40 to $50)
The Valentini Puffer Fish would make a great addition to people that would love a fish as a pet. They are also called Saddle Valentini Pufferfish, Black Saddled Toby, or Saddled Toby.
There is a difference in looks between the female and male genders of this particular breed: the males are described as having blue or green luminous lines starting from the back of their eyes.
Another difference between males and females is that the males’ bottom jaw will have a light orange background to it with faint blue lines. And on the other end of their bodies (in front of the anus) will be a light gray color. Plus, they are bigger compared to females.
These types of male puffers can be nippy but if they are added to a big tank with a mate of the same breed, then it should work well.
In the wild, they get along with other fish as long as there is enough space.
Therefore, the tank should be big enough (about 30 gallons to start with) so that you can put hiding spots and other decorations to make the pufferfish safe and comfortable.
Remember that when they get frightened they will expand causing issues with other fishes. They are saltwater puffers.
They can eat a lot of different types of food such as shrimp, squid, clam, some vegetable matter, green filamentous algae and you can add spirulina to spice it up.
Plus, hard-shelled food like shrimp will decrease their teeth growth. Their feeding habits can be three times a day if need be. Their maximum size may get up to 4. 5 inches (11. 43 cm) and the price range for one of them can go from about $40 to $50. They are also saltwater pufferfish.
Dwarf Puffer Fish ($5)
Dwarf puffer or Pea Puffer, Pygmy Pufferfish, or Malabar Pufferfish are all the same breed of these tiny fishes.
They can grow up to 1.4 inches (3.6 cm) and can fit nicely in a 5-gallon tank.
Each one goes for about 5 USD.
Red-Eyed Puffer Fish Price ($15 to $30)
The Red-Eyed Puffer Fish stands out with the help of its red eyes and small size.
They can grow up to 3 inches (7. 62 cm) and can live in a tank of 10 gallons or 15 gallons that has a lot of plants. Their price range can be from $15 to $30.
South American Puffer Fish Cost ($25 – $35)
The South American Puffer or Amazon Puffer Fish can grow up to 5 inches (12. 7cm) and prefers a tank of over 30 gallons.
They cost about $25 – $35 for one but they are friendly with their own kind so you can have a small school at home.
Fahaka Puffer Fish ($32)
Fahaka Puffer can fall on the larger side since it can grow up to 18 inches (45. 72 cm) and can be more of a challenge to keep.
Their tanks should be 90 gallons or more and they can be bought for about $32 depending on where you shop and their size.
Target Puffer Fish Price ($55 – $85)
If you are looking for something that fits in a more medium-range then the Target Puffer Fish could be the one for you. They can grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) and a 30-gallon tank would suit them.
Their price can be between $55 – $85 USD but some places may sell them for over $100 due to its rarity.
Ocellated Puffer Fish Price ($18 to $32)
Another one on the medium size scale is the Ocellated Puffer Fish which can grow up to 6 inches (15 cm).
However, they can fit in a 20-gallon tank if you only want one.
They are a rare find.
Their price could start from 18 USD to 32 USD.
Golden Puffer Price ($169.99 to $439.99)
If you are an experienced fish owner and looking for a fish with a golden personality might we suggest the Golden Pufferfish?
It can grow up to 20 inches (50. 8 cm) and live in a tank of 100 gallons. Like its namesake, this one can cost between $169.99 to $439.99.
Mbu Puffer Fish Price ($174.99 to $449.99)
The Mbu Puffer Fish is the last one on our list and is known as being one of the biggest pufferfish that a person can own.
The Mbu comes in at a maximum size of about 24 inches (60. 96 cm) and should fit nicely in a 500-gallon tank.
Their price can go from $174.99 to $449.99 making them cheaper than the Golden Puffer.
First Bonus: What Are Other Costs When Having A Pufferfish?
Cost for setup puffer fish tank
- 🐠【Hygger Aquarium Kit Includes】one 7W 110GPH internal power filter pump, one colored led aquarium light, one 8 gallon glass tank with a decorative 3D rockery mountain background. The 3D background makes the whole aquarium looks cool like a dream word underwater, is a great rest, play spot, shelters for little fish. Also you can plant some green grass on the rockery mountain.
- 🐠【Mutil-modes LED Light】The aquarium led light is DC12V/18W, with extendable brackets, length can be adjusted from 0 to 19 inch. It has a external digital controller, you can use it to set the lighting time to 3, 6 or 12 hours, to adjust the light brightness from 100% to 10%, 5 levels of brightness in total, to shift the light modes: White LEDS, Blue+white+red LEDS, Red+ blue LEDS.
- 🐠【Durable Power Filter】The aquarium power filter is 7W 110GPH, for 2-8 gallon tank use. It's a super quiet and durable filter, and can be use for low water, the upper part is the 2 stage filtration system, the bottom part is water pumping systerm to pump the water upward. Please NOTE this filter may be too strong for small fish that is not long than 2 inch, may suck small fish, if you keep small in the tank, please don't run the filter or don't run it all the time
- 🐠【New View Curved Tank】Tank size: 19" L x 11.8" W x 9.6" H. This glass fish tank has a unique convex arc curve shape, can widen your view on the aquarium, and can hold more capacity of water. The total tank volume is 8 gallon, it can hold 6 gallon of water, because the tank has a undetachable 3D background decor. When it holds full water, the whole tank weighs about 68 pounds.
- 🐠【Multi-protection Packing】We used 3 layers of packing to pack the aquarium kit and with light lifting label, the innermost layers is a super sturdy poly foam with excellent cushion. We have done the shipping test by sending 3 of the packs to 3 different distance places and find the glass tanks are still in good condition when received. So don't worry the tank will not be broken during the shipping, if you find tank broken when open the package, please take a photo and send it to the seller.
Last update on 2022-12-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
While getting a pufferfish can be fun there are a lot of costs involved in housing them.
The first (and most important) is the actual house where they will be living in the aquarium.
The size of the tank depends on the type of pufferfish you chose to have, but the range can go from 50 gallons to 100 gallons.
The price fluctuates from about 50 USD to 450 USD depending on where you are shopping and the type of fish.
Cost of feeder
The thing is you can not always be home to feed your puffers. You clearly need an automatic feeder for your tank. This will cost another $20 or more depending on which branch you choose.
- Programmable: The Torlam’s timer allows you to set up to four automatic feedings per day. You can program it to feed at any hour of the day or night and have it deliver either a single or double or triple feeding. At the same time, you can also feed manually and experience the fun of feeding.
- Two Different Fixed Methods: The feeder has 2 install methods for you to choose. One is to fix the feeder to the tank wall by using the holder. Another is to paste the feeder with double-side sticker on the tank cover.
- Moisture Prevents Design: Moisture-resistant hopper keeps fish food dry, won’t get wet or jammed.It accommodates most types of food.
- Easily Add Food: Adding the fish food at the top of the fish feeder, not to take down the food bucket, so you can increase or decrease easily the amount of dispensed food. Because of the 360°rotation of the pedestal of auto fish feeder, you can rotate it to the satisfying position after it is installed.
- Large Food Capacity: With a capacity of 200ml, its large size holds enough food to keep your fish fat while you’re away. Hatch style feed door is completely adjustable, allowing you to decide how much food is dispensed at each meal.
Last update on 2022-12-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Cost for Tank & Water
Tank is not the only thing that you will need for your future puffer. You will obviously need water. A certain type of water, to be precise, since different breeds can swim in different types of water.
Brackish water, freshwater, and saltwater are common ones with the latter being the most used.
You have to research what type of breed uses what type of water since some shops can confuse saltwater and freshwater breeds.
You will need to replace the water every month to make sure that the tank is clean so that your fishes remain healthy.
Plus, pufferfish are known for being messy eaters. Therefore, you need to make sure they are not swimming around in their leftovers or debris.
Other things you should buy can bring your budget up into the 100s if they are brand new.
These features can include lighting, plants, a filter system, heater (some breeds can require a certain temperature to live in), water conditioner, thermometer, hydrometer, and a pH kit to measure how much pH you add to your tank.
The latter is influenced by the breed of pufferfish.
Other aspects that you would want to invest in are bacteria solution, nitrate, water testing kit as well as ammonia.
Planning to have a pufferfish? Check out the book we recommend for proper pufferfish care. Not necessarily to become an expert on pufferfish but will help you avoid the common mistake in new pet fish owners.
- Mulder, Diana (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 31 Pages - 09/21/2021 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
Last update on 2022-12-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You can look at second-hand shops to get the items used. For beginners, you may want to get new items.
Food is important when it comes to any living creature including fish.
What Type of Food Do Pufferfish Need?
The type of food adds to the cost of owning a pufferfish. Once again this is linked to the breed and size of the fish you want to purchase.
To get the best information you should speak to a specialist since they can advise you on exactly what you would need and how much of it.
Saltwater pufferfish can eat worms such as blood ones, and earthworms. They can munch on squid, crab, mussels (in their shells), as well as common fish food found in stores. Saltwater puffers can be fed twice a day every day.
- Breakdown Digest Septic Waste which helps avoids costly backups
- Natural enzymes won't damage septic tank or plumbing
- 3 Doses of Pre Measured Monthly Water Soluble Packets
- Each dose treats up to 1500 gallon tank
- Breaks down paper toilet tissue
Last update on 2022-12-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Freshwater puffers, on the other hand, can eat similar foods such as hard-shell food types as well as snails and shrimp.
Feeding pufferfish a hard-shelled type of food will help their teeth to stop growing (since they are constantly growing).
Regardless of breed, feeding them live foods will require the food to be quarantined beforehand, and not doing so may cause your fish friend to fall sick.
However, before you go and buy anything make sure that you are fully informed on what pufferfish suit which type of water as well as the cost.
Prices can change according to if there is a sale or some places are just cheaper than others.
Second bonus: How To Get a Pufferfish as A Pet for Free
Getting a pufferfish for free is not a joke. You will need to contact some puffer keepers on Facebook. Ideally, they will give away some baby pufferfish for other keepers.
But before getting your first baby pufferfish, you need to have all the tanks and relevant accessories to be ready. Please check the list of costs for having a puffer in the section above.
Wrapping Up
We had listed in the article the costs of having a pufferfish as a pet.
To answer the question: “How much does a pufferfish cost as a pet”, we would say, the price range is quite wide. It’s about a few dollars to thousands of dollars.