Compatibility

[randallhart]

Just purchased two dwarf puffers for my ten gallon tank. I was wondering is there are any fish suitable to live with them.
Any suggestions?

 

[Thirdfloor]

not in a 10 gallon tank, im afraid. you may even experience issues with two in such a small tank.

 

[eschaton]

Consensus is dwarf puffers can live with Otocinclus almost always. Depending upon their personality, they can tolerate bumblebee gobies, kuhli loaches, and freshwater shrimp such as Amano or cherry shrimp. Ironically, because they love snails, nerites are almost always safe in DP tanks. If you don't have another tank to put them in if it doesn't work out, just try putting three Otos into the tank with them - it should work provided your filtration is up to skiff, and you remember the Otos need feeding too.

 

[randallhart]

Thanks you guys.

 

[iSnail]

I keep mine with Amano shrimps and they have been fine together for over a year and a half Just make sure there are plenty of plants and hiding places for everyone.

 

[randallhart]

I keep mine with Amano shrimps and they have been fine together for over a year and a half Just make sure there are plenty of plants and hiding places for everyone.

Thank you.
isnail, what do your puffers prefer to eat?

 

[SJ2K]

10g too small for 2? No chance, the recommend space is 3g per DP, aslong as you buy them together them 10g for 2 is plenty, chuck a few oto's in there aswell for good measure

 

[iSnail]

I keep mine with Amano shrimps and they have been fine together for over a year and a half Just make sure there are plenty of plants and hiding places for everyone.

Thank you.
isnail, what do your puffers prefer to eat?

Mainly frozen bloodworms. Occassional snails and live daphnia They are quite fussy though. sometimes they refuse bloodworms that they don't like the look of

10g too small for 2? No chance, the recommend space is 3g per DP, aslong as you buy them together them 10g for 2 is plenty, chuck a few oto's in there aswell for good measure

TBH, it's all down to the personalities of the individual DPs. No guarantee that they don't fight in bigger tanks. Some DPs are more timid but most are aggressive.

 

[chibi]

I had 2 dwarves with a oto and they killed him. It's always hit or miss with them. Some have nice personalities, some are little devils.

 

[randallhart]

so far they seem pretty timid but only time will tell.
The tank is planted with two lava rocks to break line of sight.
They just started eating frozen brine shrimp but im going to try blood worms too.

 

[Dorkhedeos]

Ive noticed that khulis are good with a lot of fish

 

[Mr._Fishy]

One thing that you might want to watch out for with the shrimp is that the puffers may view the shrimp as food. But the ottos almost always work and I have had success with khulis, although imo, a 10g is too small for them.

Ryan

 

[jennybugs]

I have 3 DPs with 3 otos and an amano shrimp. The otos were in the tank first with the shrimp and then the DPs went in after.

No problems with them at all as yet, but never trust a puffer to the extent that you become surprised if one of the tank mates gets eaten.

I feed my guys on live bloodworm, baby ramshorn snails and occasionally frozen bloodworm. Live brine shrimp are ok on occasion for a treat, but they aren't really substantial enough for daily nutrition.

You can see if you can get a worm feeder to stick to the side of the tank. They love pulling the live worms out of that (see my pics link in my siggy)

 

[randallhart]

Thanks a lot everyone.