Dwarf Puffers are really cool fish. I put the snails that breed in my bigger tanks into their tank. They love to eat the snails. I have no experience with Rams (yet) so I can't compare.
They are actually not too bad to keep... I just got mine today.. They are sooooo Cute!!
Yes they actaully puff up when scared. They need a meaty diet, and need to be in a species only tank..
Just my opinion, but do the rams. They rock! I have one gold and one blue in my 30, which also has two dwarf gouramis and a host of other fish.
Someone said something about staying away from dwarf gouramis, I don't know about chocolats, but my flame is really hardy, he's been through a lot including living in a bowl for quite some time.
I am stuck between rams and puffers. I knew I should have bought another 10g while they where on sale oh well. I still have a few weeks to decide I'm planting the tank and want the plants to be going good before I put fish in it. Right now my betta is in the tank until I get other fish.