View Full Version : Betta or dwarf puffer
SCU33ZE
04-07-2005, 2:12 PM
what do u prefer?
Hunter74
04-07-2005, 2:44 PM
Depending if there are other fish I would go with the Dwarf Puffer. I have both and my Betta is destined to live all alone, as all the Betta's I get seem to be agressive to the other fish, my Dwarf Puffer seems to get along with everybody in my community tank though. And the Puffer is the main attraction when ever I have company as he looks so cool swimming in the tank with the other fish.
Bmeasure
04-07-2005, 2:54 PM
I like both of these fish in completely different setups. Some fish don't mix, others do. My 4 DP's are doing fine with about 9 Flagfish in a 55 gallon, but this tank used to be a more diverse community and I had Neons, Ottos, Corys, Flagfish, and a Betta. Both setups worked great, but I would definately not add a Betta to my current setup!
You really have to decide what direction you want to go with the tank. Just DP's? DP's and other fish (sometimes difficult)? Just a Betta? Betta and other fish?......which do you choose?
tornangel012
04-07-2005, 3:36 PM
Ok i just can't choose because I would do a Species only DP tank like Toked has and I'm happy to have my 10 gal community tanks with both my bettas and other fish.
Bettas are easier to see and you can slightly train them. and can be with other fish almost always.
Dwarf Puffers are SOOO darn CUTE! But hard to get along with others and can take some extra care to keep aggression down.
ARGH I'm voting puffers just because that would be my next tank setup for a 10 gal.
Well of course I voted bettas ;)
VTwinFanatic
04-07-2005, 3:40 PM
I'd have to say betta...:)
I have had both and I prefer the dp. They have so much personality for such a small fish. Its funny to see them inspecting snails before eating. They're also very intelligent and curious.
fishisme
04-11-2006, 9:11 PM
I would go with a df... because they are less common than bettas, well in my area... but bettas are also very cool fish, and U can have mates with bettas...
nerdyguy83
07-08-2006, 9:06 PM
Dwarf puffers will supposedly come to the glass to watch what you are doing and beg for food. I have never seen a betta do that. Plus if you tell someone you keep fish, and then you say you have a betta, it takes away credibility I think.
No offense to betta owners. I've owned one as well, but they have become so commercialized that saying you have a betta won't sound anywhere near as exotic or cool as saying "Oh yeah, I have dwarf puffers".
dorkfish
07-08-2006, 9:24 PM
what do u prefer?
I prefer bettas, but already have 3 of them so I'll probbly be getting DP's before I get another betta, if any of that ever happens (to caught up in upgrading my current setup).
fishman1979
07-08-2006, 9:49 PM
cant vote, no "both" option. i have both at the moment the bettas are a blast, but as mentioned with the setups i have they are destined to be loners in their tanks. the DP's are great also, and am thinking about adding them to another tank with other fish if i decide to set it up. the DP's have a great personality as they are right now. every time i walk near the tank they swim right over to me.
InR reason
07-08-2006, 9:49 PM
Dwarf puffers will supposedly come to the glass to watch what you are doing and beg for food. I have never seen a betta do that.
Not only do most bettas come to the glass, but their curious nature is a telltale sign of a healthy fish. All my bettas come up to me when I come home from work and wait for their food. This is normal, and if a betta doesn't watch activity with eagerness then it is unhealthy and neglected.
plah831
07-09-2006, 12:16 AM
Second fishman1979, I can't decide. That's why I have both!
A lot of my fishies will let me "pet" them and feed them by hand. I pity the sad individual who says fishes aren't lovable. My golden dojo loaches actively seek out my hand to give me kisses and curl up in my palm.
As for anyone who says "bettas are boring", maybe you should house them better or try interacting with them, stupid! You'd probably be boring, too, if you had to sit in a barren room with nothing to do.
IceH2O
07-09-2006, 12:54 AM
How many DPs could I put in a 55 gallon tank?
I always thought puffers were brackish or salt, nice to see there are freshwater species also.
Of course it would be species only unless you think they'll do ok with 4 ottos, 1 danio,2 Black Skirt Tetras,and 2 Guppies.
I was thinking of getting shell dwellers but I'd never get the pH near what they enjoy.
plah831
07-09-2006, 1:17 AM
Geez, the recommended stocking level is one puffer for every 2-3 gallons so theoretically you could have 20 in there? I wouldn't recommend that many, though, because they tend to be messy eaters and will probably foul the tank pretty quickly. A more conservative figure is 5 gallons per dp, so I guess about 10 or 11. With lots of plants/decorations and hiding spots.
For more info, check out www.dwarfpuffers.com
It's where I go for dp info.
As for tankmates, a few people have been successful with them in community tanks. But I think that's mostly with juvenile dwarf puffers. I would guess that those same dp's tend to get more aggressive and territorial as they get older. Some dp's will get along with shrimp, while most will just devour them on sight. In short, dwarf puffers have a wide range of "personalities" and you won't know until you get them. Give them time to come out of their shell and get over the shock of a new tank, to see their true temperament.
As with all fish, don't rush it! Be patient and err on the conservative side.
Red Tailed Wonder
07-09-2006, 2:15 AM
9 Flagfish
:laugh:
I would have 4-5 puffers in that tank. planted of course!
Ifyou get them make sure that bloodworm feature highly in their diet.
Flag
nerdyguy83
07-09-2006, 9:35 AM
I personally would get both a flagfish and a dorkfish. Both are somewhat verbally agressive. I think a fishy argument would be great entertainment when there's nothing on TV.
Woofy
07-09-2006, 10:41 AM
do puffers get along with community fish? like platy molly...
rosita
07-09-2006, 1:14 PM
Only had bettas so far, and find them excellent fishy companions. However, I've read lots of great things about dp's, so I'd like to try one or two at some point.
plah831
07-09-2006, 2:39 PM
woofgrrmeow,
No, they most probably (I don't want to say definitely) would not get along. Dwarf puffers are notorious "bullies" that will take on anything that moves. Especially with platies and mollies, with their nice chewable fins. The dp's would most likely eat their fins and harass the livebearers until they die from stress.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. There are a few people who will say their dp gets along with a platy, but the vast majority would say keep dp's in a species' only tank.
Alestro Bakai
07-09-2006, 4:52 PM
Second fishman1979, I can't decide. That's why I have both!
A lot of my fishies will let me "pet" them and feed them by hand. I pity the sad individual who says fishes aren't lovable. My golden dojo loaches actively seek out my hand to give me kisses and curl up in my palm.
As for anyone who says "bettas are boring", maybe you should house them better or try interacting with them, stupid! You'd probably be boring, too, if you had to sit in a barren room with nothing to do.
Dude, settle down. No need to get personal.
plah831
07-09-2006, 5:07 PM
Fish, and animals in general, are very personal to me. I think most caring and responsible pet-lovers would agree with me.
Sorry, I've been very defensive today.
nerdyguy83
07-09-2006, 5:07 PM
Never said bettas were stupid. I said they are a cliche. Owning a betta doesn't automatically make you a fishkeeper. You won't find anyone with a dwarf puffer sitting on their desk in a dorm room or office.
plah831
07-09-2006, 5:09 PM
My response was not directed at you, nerdyguy83, just the average complacent betta owner. Just wanted to clarify that. Obviously, you wouldn't be on this forum unless you cared about your fishies.
Sorry if anyone took offense at my post. I just think animals need advocates more than people do, since they can't speak for themselves.