Dwarf puffer

nerdyguy83

nerdyguy83

AC Members
May 11, 2006
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Erie, PA, US
I was at Petsmart today and saw, for the first time, a tank with dwarf puffers. I was surprised because I had always heard that they were notorious fin nippers, and they were in with a bunch of platies but didn't seem to be causing any trouble. Does anyone have any experience keeping them? I have always wanted some, but I have never had the time, money, or space to devote to a seperate species tank.
 
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77762

I've tried to socialize 2 dwarf puffers in a community tank. Everyone was one big happy family for about 2 days. Then the puffers had established themselves in the tank and had a nice little protection money business running. They'd chase and nip the heck out of my guppies. Then I moved them into a tank with only 2 dwarf gouramis, 3 Ghost Shrimp and a couple of CAE, and they've been doing fine ever since.

I would not suggest them for a community tank.
 
Thanks, that's what I thought the answer would be. For the future when I do have the resources to keep them in a seperate tank, how many gallons per dwarf puffer?
 
yeah i had them in a 10 gallon community and they were jerks nipping at my other fish, but actualy i added a bunch of fake plants and it kinda divided the tank and they were pretty good.

my guess is that two could be alone in about a 5 gallon tank
 
I found loads of info here: http://www.dwarfpuffers.com/

I'd agree, 2 per 5-6 gallon should be fine.

They are lots of fun to watch, really worth it. I got mine from PetsMart too. Fortunately, I didn't have any problems feeding them. Mine were perfectly fine with food that wasn't alive and trying to get away from them. It's funny to watch them 'stalk' a frozen/dead bloodworm. Very sociable with people. Whenever someone walks by their tank, they curiously come out and watch them.
 
I was actually thinking of getting a few dwarf puffers myself from Petsmart! I did a lot of reading on them and have decided to give them their own tank, with maybe a couple Otocinclus. I think I'll put 3 in a 10 gal tank. I've read 2-3 gal per fish.

Try www.dwarfpuffers.com

Great info for devotees of the species. Apparently they are territorial and would appreciate lots of plants or other hiding spots.

Good luck! I'll let you all know how mine turn out, can't wait :D
 
I agree with everyone above, 2 per 5 gallons is perfect. I keep 4 in my 10 gallon with zero problems. The key is to keep the tank heavily planted and to have a ratio of 1 male to 3 females. This helps to keep aggression down. Make sure to never skip a water change; because of their unique skin, they are more sensitive to bad water than other fish.

I have also heard of a few account where people where successful in keeping otos with puffers. I haven’t tried this yet, but I’d be curious to see if it works, please let us know how it goes if you try it plah831.

You will never regret buying a dwarf puffer, they are wonderful, personable characters. By far my favorite fish!
 
I got a couple dwarf puffers along with two dwarf frogs and a otto in a planted 5-gallon and they are just fine. The only time i've ever seen them act nippy is towards each other and thats not too often. Both and puffers and the frogs love blood worms and the otto pretty much just munches on algae but i will occasionally supplement with some sinking wafers.

I had them in a 10 before which was also fine, but i'd say even with the bunch of them in the 5, its not crowded at all.

Keith
 
They are indeed fin nippers. I had one in with some Mollys awhile back and all the little guy wanted to do was take pieces out of the Mollys and also my Corys.
 
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