question about puffers...

[K_S_W_I_S_S]

how big do the puffers that everyone on this board talks about get? they seem interesting... and how much do they usually cost also??

[Dangerdoll]

It depends on which you're talking about. There are quite a few Freshwater puffers out there, some more common than others. Specifically, which ones are you interested in?

[K_S_W_I_S_S]

well im not really interested in any specific one... how small is the smallest one?

[Dangerdoll]

The smallest is the Freshwater Dwarf Puffer, of which I have 3 and am VERY happy with. Some say they tend to be fin-nippers, but I haven't had that problem so I assume that to be individually characteristic at best. They generally get to be about 1" and eat snails, live and frozen brine shrimp and blood worms. Mine tend to prefer the blood worms or even better, live black worms over anything else. Mine never ate flake before, not sure if the FW dwarves ever did, in my experience and reading they haven't though. I do have a constant supply of snails in the tank that they do seem to keep at a good minimum.... if you know snails, you know their tendency to get out of hand. The snails are what keeps their teeth good and trimmed. Their teeth grow constantly and if they are not offered a food that will keep their teeth trimmed (such as snails or maybe ghost shrimp) the teeth will tend to grow too large and eventually the puffer will not be able to eat. I recommend them as they are one of my favs in the tank. They've been with cories, angels, plecos, Red Tail sharks, and a danio and do just fine with them.

[K_S_W_I_S_S]

do you have a pic??? and how much is the usual price for them??

[Dangerdoll]

Their scientific name is "Tetraodon travancorius", click on this link on the right at this website. Mine more so resembles the top picture.
Tetraodon travancorius (http://www.pufferfish.co.uk/aquaria/species/pufferfish/types/index.htm)

I got my first on for $1.99 though I bought 2 more online at $4.99 so the cost of them varies, also...not sure what your prices could be in CA.

[I8b4u2]

Check out this posting about Dwarf Puffers.

Tiny Terrors (http://forum.tropicalaquariums.info/index.php?act=ST&f=28&t=1751)

[rjl420]

I had 4 dwarf puffers for a while now, my pack from before all died when I let the water drain through my airstone a while back, otherwise they would have been happy adults by now :(. but yea, unlike I8b4u2, I don't look at these guys as "tiny terrors" but they definately shouldn't be judged by their size.

all puffers tempermants vary between individuals, not just species. to say that all dwarfs are tiny terrors or all dwarfs are perfect for community tanks is wrong. I've had good luck keeping dwarfs in community tanks for about 3 years now, never had the dwarf attack any other fish. but YMMV.

Another option for community puffers, is the south american puffer (Colomesus asellus). a little harder to find, they get a little bigger than dwarfs yet still stay smaller than the fig8's or GSPs. Keep in mind these guys can either be the perfect tankmates, or will not tolerate tankmates. most people have good luck with both the dwarfs and SA's in community setups. (although smaller fish like neons, or slow moving, long finned fish aren't the best choices IMO)

I also keep a Fahaka puffer, there are no misnomers about this guy, he's up there with the most aggressive puffers. Of course, he's in a species tank all by himself but he is also probably the most personable fish I have ever seen (can almost say met in his case, puffers are smart, and they remember/recognize people).

in the middle there are the Figure 8's and Green spotted puffers. they are both actually brackish water fish, and for the most part are readily available.


I8b4u2 - you on a membership drive for your board or something? I see that link in every puffer thread on AC!! :)

I clicked it, but I didn't feel like registering to read an article. :rolleyes:

[I8b4u2]

Sorry Rjl420, didn't realise you need to register to check out the link. I just think that the original story from pufferpack is cute so recomend it whenever I see questions about the Dwarf Puffer. I think it well illustrates the opposite end of the spectrum from what someone would look for in a community fish. :D really no membership drive here, I only joined that one a couple weeks ago, I have registered at a few different forums and I've found that for information on Puffers this forum beats any of the others, hands down, but what can I say, cute is cute.:p

[rjl420]

nothing meant by it, I always check every puffer related thread and happen to see it in about 3 in a row! :D

[Hebdizzle]

yesterday at my LFS they had som dwarf puffers. I couldn't believe the size of them. Approx. 1 cm long! I don't know how you could call them tiny terrors.

[I8b4u2]

Just using the term from the post I was linking to. From reading the related posts from the same author I think that Tiny Terrors is meant as cute little pet name (I think their other fish might disagree). Sounds like their dwarfs have a bit of an attitude.:D :p :D

[Firsttanks]

To say our Tiny Terrors can get a bit of an attitude is an understatement:p . They are my babies and I wouldn't trade them in for anything, but if one of them is harrassed all 6 of them will turn on the bully and give him a thumping:eek: . As long as none of the other fish are aggressive towards them they are mostly Ok, but they like to play "Ride the Tankmate" a little too much so I find it better to keep them to themselves (well they have the Gobies for company, but they should be in a new BW setup by this weekend:D ).