Dwarf Puffer Tank Set Up

[severn]

hi...just making a start on setting up a dwarf puffer tank

my equipment so far is a 6.5 gallon aquacube with an interpet internal pf2 filter [which is relatively oversized for this size tank]
the filter is in my 90 gallon altum tank ph around 6.0..i bought some seachem onyx gravel which has some buffering capacity but im thinking sand may be more suitable substrate..
i plan to plant heavily so in conjunction with the filter currently seeding im hoping a long cycling period may not be necessery...i have been reading this article here

how long would it be before the filter would be ready
for the puffer tank...?
if i plant heavily ...i still think 2 dp may be 1 too many ?
is bio-spira available in the uk ?
finally has anyone seen any dwarf puffers in nay fish stores in south west england ?

thanks
Jon

 

[jkrekord]

IMO 5 gallons per dp so i would say just the 1 in that tank but other people say 3 gallons per dp so ya know its a matter of opinion in some ways

 

[severum boy]

Depending on where you live, Cheddar garden center often has them in. I would advise 3 DWs, but only after letting the tank mature for a few months, probably with some tetras which can be removed later. The filter however, will be ready when its been cycling for a few weeks. If the puffers are kept entertained and their environment stimulates them, having 3 DWs in a tank should be ok.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

If the puffers are kept entertained and their environment stimulates them, having 3 DWs in a tank should be ok.

I disagree with this. 3 dps is far too many for a 6g. if you can plant it *very* heavily, you might could keep 2 females in the tank but even that would be risky given the territorial nature of these puffers. why not just play it safe and only keep a single puffer in there?

 

[severum boy]

With DWs being intelligent and personality fish, it will to some extent depend on the fish. You could get one, monitor it for a few months and see what its personality is. If its agressive, dont ad another, but if its not then add another and keep an eye on it. If things spark up, be prepared to move one.

 

[Bufo Bill]

pica nuttalli is right, three are too many. Unless you are willing to separate or sell on one, I would go for only one.

All the best from Bill.