FW Puffer Question
- Thread starter FreddytheFish
- Start date
I've no doubt lots of people keep DPs in communities. Some with a measure of success but it could always go sour at any time. Too unpredictable for me. With ghost shrimp it's not important about the outcome given they cost a buck a dozen and are mainly bred for one purpose. I wouldn't chance amanos or cherry shrimp though.
* edit *
I'll hazard a guess with the otos. They are inconspicuous.
* edit *
I'll hazard a guess with the otos. They are inconspicuous.
All im saying is that when you are talking specifally about compatibale tankmates, it is too ambiguous to just they are not good community fish. Community means different things and encompasses lots of fish. I wouldnt put a Betta with Gouramis or vice versa or lots of other combonations, and you could argue to just be on the safe side to just let Gouramis be in a species specific tank, or Bettas.....but Gouramis and Bettas can go in a tank with a ton of other fish and be perfectly fine. The same is true for DPs.
There's no doubt that stocking a tank with any species is like throwing a random dart since every fish is unique. All it takes is one rogue in the bunch to create chaos. But since there is plenty info on other peoples experiences with all the fish in the hobby, a rough guide is available to go by.
Now, before I started my DP tank I researched a fair bit and concluded that it was best to keep them on their own. This decision was based solely upon other peoples experiences and advice. The fact that I have ghost shrimp with them is accidental and was not planned because they were suppossed to be food, not buddies
I also think (and this is just my very humble opinion) that comparing puffers to bettas and gouramis isn't quite accurate.
Now, before I started my DP tank I researched a fair bit and concluded that it was best to keep them on their own. This decision was based solely upon other peoples experiences and advice. The fact that I have ghost shrimp with them is accidental and was not planned because they were suppossed to be food, not buddies
I also think (and this is just my very humble opinion) that comparing puffers to bettas and gouramis isn't quite accurate.
Otos are completely ignored by DP's. Why? You got me, but I'm not risking having my other fish nipped at and tortured when everyone who is an expert at keeping DP's tells me otos and shrimp.
Kim
Kim
Hmmm...I think I'd rather just go with DPs and ottos and shrimp, I wouldn't want to put the other fish at risk.
In a recent newbie thread, there was talk about the eety beety spines, not only on the fins, but hairlike ones on the body on the ottos. This may be the reason ottos don't get harassed, one nip from the puffer and he realizes he is not the boss. I however did keep a dp with a CAE and a handful af danios with no ill effects. Every individual fish is different, a danio could kill an oscar if there was that 1 in seventy gazillion chance(kinda joking, please don't crucify me). When people speak from experience, it seems more often than not there is little that will do well with DPs, so it is best not to try it, but if you do you will know in advance the possible outcome.
I personally don't see the difference between ghost shrimp @ $.25 a piece becoming food and a neon @ $.99 becoming food? :huh:
I personally don't see the difference between ghost shrimp @ $.25 a piece becoming food and a neon @ $.99 becoming food? :huh:
sumthin fishy said:
Well, you are another person speaking from experience of successfully keeping fast moving fish with DPs. I am another. And there are many more who keep fast moving fish with DPs, and I would like to hear from someone who has tried it and failed. So at what point do you stop just suggesting Ottos and Shrimp and utilize the successful experience of many fish keepers to say that it is safe?
That article really makes a stronger case for keeping DPs alone, as opposed to co-habiting a tank with other DPs. Its arguments against keeping DPs with other fish, even fast moving ones, we have already discussed and debated.
The main argument really is that fast moving fish that can easily evade puffers, will out compete the puffer for food. Which first of all does not address any compatibility issues, nor the saftey of the fish. Furthermore, I just simply have not found this to be true, and no matter how many times I read it in an article somwere online is it going to counter my own personal experience....if anything, I have found the puffers to be more aggressive feeders.
I would like to read one case of DPs attacking a Danio, or Rummynose or some other fast moving fish.......I havnt read one...all I have read and heard about are success stories...whereas shrimp are a gamble. As many folks have said, shrimp may or may not become food.....so why reccomend them? Why not reccomend fast movers who seem to have proven to NEVER become food.
The main argument really is that fast moving fish that can easily evade puffers, will out compete the puffer for food. Which first of all does not address any compatibility issues, nor the saftey of the fish. Furthermore, I just simply have not found this to be true, and no matter how many times I read it in an article somwere online is it going to counter my own personal experience....if anything, I have found the puffers to be more aggressive feeders.
I would like to read one case of DPs attacking a Danio, or Rummynose or some other fast moving fish.......I havnt read one...all I have read and heard about are success stories...whereas shrimp are a gamble. As many folks have said, shrimp may or may not become food.....so why reccomend them? Why not reccomend fast movers who seem to have proven to NEVER become food.
