So I was thinking of getting a dwarf puffer but can only find very basic info on them, such as fresh water (not brackish) and snails for food. Does anyone know of a good place with lots of puffer info (pH, water hardness etc...). Also I understand that they get to be about 2.5" long. Would it be okay to put a single one in a well planted 5 gallon tank (I just don't have the space for anything else right now and don't plan to anytime soon). and 1 more thing, if I can keep one in a small tank would it be okay to have a couple cories in there or should he just be left alone. Thanks
Dwarf Puffer
- Thread starter TKOS
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http://home.earthlink.net/~snebluemoon/index.htm
The info may not be fully accurate...there are also some addies in the "Puffer Role Call" thread in Brackish Info. That's where all the Puffer People usually hang out.
The info may not be fully accurate...there are also some addies in the "Puffer Role Call" thread in Brackish Info. That's where all the Puffer People usually hang out.
The Dwarf Puffer only gets about 1.5 to 1.75 inches, so you might get away with 3 in your 5 gal (although that might be pushing it)
as long as there was only 1 male.
As far as the Corys go I wouldn't recomend it, I tried to put 3 corys in with my 6 pack of Dwarf Puffers and had to remove them the next day because they had virtually no fins left...one of the poor little Coreys died from the stress the next day
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Here is a nice site for Dwarf Puffer info: Rens Aquarium
as long as there was only 1 male.
As far as the Corys go I wouldn't recomend it, I tried to put 3 corys in with my 6 pack of Dwarf Puffers and had to remove them the next day because they had virtually no fins left...one of the poor little Coreys died from the stress the next day
.Here is a nice site for Dwarf Puffer info: Rens Aquarium
Thanks. I will definately not go with cories then. How do you tell the difference between males and females of the species? I would probably only want 2 in the tank with lots of plants for hiding.
I understand that they only like to eat live or frozen foods (plus some snails). Do they also eat freeze dried foods like bloodworms?
I understand that they only like to eat live or frozen foods (plus some snails). Do they also eat freeze dried foods like bloodworms?
From the article http://puffernet.tripod.com/travancoricus.html:
"Sexing the dwarf pufferfish is quite simple. The males of this species are leaner, with less of a round shape when compared to the female. A more distinct difference in sexes is the male, who exhibits a dark ventral line. This line is used to intimidate other males, and also becomes more pronounced during mating."
"Sexing the dwarf pufferfish is quite simple. The males of this species are leaner, with less of a round shape when compared to the female. A more distinct difference in sexes is the male, who exhibits a dark ventral line. This line is used to intimidate other males, and also becomes more pronounced during mating."
Males also have a yellower tummy than females.
I had 4 in my 5, and the males killed both females, then co-existed with no problem. I've moved them into my 40, and they are much happier. They are in with rainbows, rainbow shark, cories, kuhli's, blue tetras, 5 plecos, amano shrimp, a weather loach....Oh, and some neons. I moved the gouramies out, same for the betta. The puffers were abusive to them, but I haven't witnessed nor seen any signs of abuse on any of the other fish.
While young, live foods are best. Lots and lots of snails, live brine. These were the only foods I had any success with, until they got to about one year. Now, mine eat anything I put in there except flake and pellets, but are quite partial to frozen blood worms--I've never fed the freeze dried variety. Like all puffers, something crunchy should be a staple part of their diet, to prevent their teeth from growing too long.
I had 4 in my 5, and the males killed both females, then co-existed with no problem. I've moved them into my 40, and they are much happier. They are in with rainbows, rainbow shark, cories, kuhli's, blue tetras, 5 plecos, amano shrimp, a weather loach....Oh, and some neons. I moved the gouramies out, same for the betta. The puffers were abusive to them, but I haven't witnessed nor seen any signs of abuse on any of the other fish.
While young, live foods are best. Lots and lots of snails, live brine. These were the only foods I had any success with, until they got to about one year. Now, mine eat anything I put in there except flake and pellets, but are quite partial to frozen blood worms--I've never fed the freeze dried variety. Like all puffers, something crunchy should be a staple part of their diet, to prevent their teeth from growing too long.
Any idea how long the dwarf puffers live? I know many puffers live a long time, but didn't know if these guys suffered small fish/short life syndrome...