Petsmart Dwarf Puffer fish...

Brian Bivens

Brian Bivens

Labeotropheus Trawavasae
Jun 8, 2007
886
0
16
44
Colorado Springs
First off, has anyone purchased dwarf puffers from Petsmart? How did it turn out, any health issues?

Next, I have heard mixed reviews, that they are peaceful, aggressive, semi aggressive. That they must be kept alone, in groups, species only, with other fish... I have heard it all. Can someone who owns them, with real experience tell me about their compatibility, their temperament etc...

Thank you
 
I have had good luck with the puffers at petsmart. Only place you can get them in my area. Species tank is recommended as they can be very aggressive and territorial. Read this for my own experience trying to integrate them into a community setup.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118897
1 puffer for every 3 gallons seems the general rule. I have kept 3 in a 10 gallon and they seem pretty content. They do require live or frozen foods. Frozen bloodworms seem to work really well, though I have seen a few people report that they can't get theirs to eat them. I have never had any problem. They relish baby snails. They will not eat flake food.
 
I have 2 DP's from pet smart for about 5 months now and they are doing great. i have them in a 10 g with 1 oto, and they don't bother the oto. i would say also to do a species only. i have tried to put ghost shrimp in but they are eaten within the hour. mine are not to picky if you condition them on frozen food, i have mine eating frozen bloodworms and glass worms, their man food is i feed them pond snails. the trick for the bloodworms as i found out is to try to only put in a few and let it go in the current of the filter, that way they think it's alive and go after it. i enjoy them and I think you would too. Also never put in a apple snail the can open there flap and will eat them (just a side note)
 
I'd agree with the species only tank, they can be mean little buggers when put with community fish. At my store I feed them bloodworms and brine shrimp. Hilarious to see this little puffer with a bloodwork the size of its body sticking out of its mouth.
Get at least a 10G, 2/3 fish, some plants, and enjoy :)
 
I didn't get mine from a chain store but I have 7 in a heavily planted 20g with one pair of apistogramma trifasiata. I used to have 5 black neons in there but it was a little too crowded. I also have a bunch of ghost shrimp and cherry shrimp in with them. I never saw any aggression towards any of the other fish and only mild squabbling between puffers and thats because there is a breeding pair in there.
I would have to believe that like most fish petsmart or petco sell their puffers are from fish farms where inbreeding is the standard and that could definitely cause aggression.




 
FishyMatty said:
I would have to believe that like most fish petsmart or petco sell their puffers are from fish farms where inbreeding is the standard and that could definitely cause aggression.
Click to expand...


I'm pretty sure my next tank is going to be a 20 gallon DP tank. And the only place I've seen them for sale around here is PetsMart. If what you say is true, where would you suggest getting them?
 
Just make sure they don't catch them in a net if you buy any. They need to be kept in water and should not be introduced to air. They can suck a lot of air in which can fill their stomach and can kill them. The proper way to handle them is to catch them under water in a cup and then transfer them. Thats my 2 cents.
 
I was told that PetSmart is actually breeding their own dwarf puffers, which explains the price drop in the past few years. Not sure how true this statement is. In any case, I have seen the employees at my PetSmart feeding frozen foods..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom