Freshwater Puffer Fish ?????

[Raskolnikov]

I've seen (unfortunately) Fig 8 puffers labeled as freshwater puffers at one of the chain pet-stores nearby.

 

[Oddball~]

Figure 8's are spotted and do get to 3-4 inches long but they are a brackish fish,

I have sen the little dwarfs at my LFS and they are very cute. Just make sure to keep them in a species only tank. Some people have had them share their tank with other fish, but do not be suprised when the other fish gets small bites taken out of him.

Hmm... Figure 8's do not have spots. They have lines that resemble a "saddle" on the back of the fish. And Dwarfs can co exist with otocinculus, or ottos

 

[FooF]

i thought all puffers needed at least brackish.
ive had very poor luck keeping dwarf puffers in FW.

 

[RTR]

There are many FW puffers, and they do not need marine mix in their water at all.

For some of them, and some BW as well:

http://home.messiah.edu/~dw1178/pufferlist.htm

 

[Puffernewbee]

Hmm... Figure 8's do not have spots. They have lines that resemble a "saddle" on the back of the fish. And Dwarfs can co exist with otocinculus, or ottos

Mine has his little 8 on his back and then he has spots and blotches. Kind of like a leopard. Some larger and some smaller.

And yes, they can probably live with other species based on your fishes personality. As there are some that will not nibble on tank mates, thenm there are those that will as soon as the first hunger pang hits them you are missing one otto.

 

[Bmeasure]

Ok while this post has everyones attention regarding dwarf puffers, I have been considering getting 1 or more for a 55 gallon tank that I use for my Florida Flag Fish (about 8 of them). These are fast somewhat territorial/aggressive fish and I'm wondering how a dwarf puffer would handle them being in the tank. They do breed readily and I have all sizes right now, I'm sure every once in a while I'd lose a fry or two, but I'm wondering about basic compatibility. It's a 55 with lots of plastic and many floating live plants and a few live sword plants.......lots of hiding spots!

 

[OrionGirl]

No way to tell without knowing the temperment of the puffers in advance. IMO, dwarves really belong in a species tank. The problem is that you're likely going to add juveniles, so they'll be fine for about 6 months. The the puffers decide they don't WANT to share, and start harrassing and shredding fins. Even fast fish can be injured by these little brutes--but some do seem more laid back and less aggressive. I just wouldn't count on it.

 

[ltldrgn13]

Well here is the tank specs that mine are in:

72 gallon bow-front: Master bedroom (wall across from the end of the bed)
It have tons and tons of fake caves and natural decor.. so there are
at least 18+ different hiding places that I can come up with.. the
tank also is heavy planted (fake plants).

So far everyone is getting along great. (knock on wood... lol)

2 (2 in) Bala Sharks (will be moving to friends 500gal when bigger)
2 (0.75 in) Red-tail Sharks
1 (2 in) Rainbow Shark
1 (2 in) CatFish Shark (will be moving to friends 500gal when bigger)
5 (1.5 in) Zebra Danios
1 (2.0 in) Chinese Algae Eater
5 (.75 in) SwordTails
5 (0.5 in) White Clouds
3 (0.5 in) Green Barbs
3 (0.5 in) Tigar Barbs
3 (0.5 in) Gold Barbs
3 (0.5 in) Cherry Barbs
2 (0.25 in) freshwater Drawf Puffer fish
We are planning on getting algea eaters this weekend maybe a pleco. I was thinking of getting some snails but have now decided not to, don't want them getten eating by the puffer fish.. but might pick up a couple of those little ones that Petco have for free.

 

[Dangerdoll]

sounds like a nice set up but I'm a little iffy on having 2 Red tail Sharks, a rainbow, and algae eaters..... might be asking for trouble there.

 

[suby7272]

i thought all puffers needed at least brackish.
ive had very poor luck keeping dwarf puffers in FW.

I fully agree with FooF, I bought two for my 6g just last week - and they lasted only for two days
They are very cute to look at though.