Dwarf Puffer

[OneOnion]

Hello. I have some questions about the Dwarf Puffer.

1. Will they be ok with just frozen bloodworms and other frozen things to eat? Like, the ice cube where you dip it in the water and food melts out.

2. How many would I be able to keep in a 10 gallon tank? Could I add some other fish? Basically, I'd like some suggestions for stocking.

 

[Equilibrium]

Hello. I have some questions about the Dwarf Puffer.

1. Will they be ok with just frozen bloodworms and other frozen things to eat? Like, the ice cube where you dip it in the water and food melts out.

2. How many would I be able to keep in a 10 gallon tank? Could I add some other fish? Basically, I'd like some suggestions for stocking.

with FW puffers keep it a species only tank ! I would say 10 G tank you could have 6 - 7 puffers maybe 8. As for feeding Bloodworms fresh or frozen is fine but giving em krill or small river shrimp is good too. try to vary diet

 

[jmiller]

In a 10 gallon tank it's 2. They require 5 gallons for the first and 3 gallon each additional. With over filtration, perfect water and heavily planted and a 1 male/2 female ratio you can do 3. No more.

 

[Hunterprey]

I would say just 2 DP in a 10 gallon coz their quite messy fish, overfiltration N lots stuff to explore since they're very curious fish. They say Oto cats shud be fine, in my personal experience, they should be in a species tank really, My oto cat was good in avoiding my DP but I dont think my Oto appreciates being constantly chased. Some also had success with kuhli loaches, think depends on your puffers personality too.

 

[OneOnion]

When you say overfiltered, I've got a AC20 and a top fin 10 gallon filter both running on it. Is that too much, or just right?

 

[Hunterprey]

I think filtration sounds good, I only have whisper EX20 in my 10g and she's doing fine, I think as long as the filter isn't too strong that its tossing your Dwarf puffer all over the place

 

[jennybugs]

I would run a pair of filters personally. Two smaller filters is a better idea than one larger one. 50% weekly water changes are necessary as well.

Frozen food is ok but they would also need small snails the size of their eyes (ramshorn or pond snails not trumpets) and would relish live bloodworm and live enriched brine shrimp. Make sure the brine shrimp is also enriched as there's very little nutrition in them.

 

[OneOnion]

How about 2 Dwarf Puffers and 3-5 Kuhli Loaches? Even with 5, Aqadvisor says it's alright. I heard Oto's are hard to take care of...

EDIT: Also, running 2 filters would be great for me because I already have 2 running. That way I won't have to rip apart the media from the old one and stuff it into the aquaclear. I'll probably be able to get some snails from the LFS for free, they've got pond snails and ramshorns, which would be better for my dwarf puffers? And would they definitely keep the population controlled? I'd like to have as little as possible while having them still there.

EDIT AGAIN: Hm, I was looking around more, and I don't think I want any tankmates for the dwarf puffers. If I were to get 2, how many males or females should I get? I know if I get 3, then 1 male and 2 females is the best.

 

[jennybugs]

Species only with just two puffs for a 10 gallon is how I'd do it. 1 male and 1 male if you can, but if the puffs are really small then you won't be able to sex them anyway until they reach sexual maturity at about 5 months old.
As long as the tank is well planted with a few caves here and there they should grow up together and be tolerant of each other. Avoid other tankmates for a truly happy tank. It's the best thing for you and the puffers really

 

[OneOnion]

Species only with just two puffs for a 10 gallon is how I'd do it. 1 male and 1 male if you can, but if the puffs are really small then you won't be able to sex them anyway until they reach sexual maturity at about 5 months old.
As long as the tank is well planted with a few caves here and there they should grow up together and be tolerant of each other. Avoid other tankmates for a truly happy tank. It's the best thing for you and the puffers really

Ok, I guess 2 puffers it is.

Anyway, since the 10 gallon's still cycling, I was thinking of starting my snail culture early? That way, I would already have some when they arrive and I'll have something to watch. Are there any stickys here about culturing snails or links would be helpful too. Thanks!

 

[jennybugs]

I don't know if there are any stickies but it's easy to do.

Get yourself one of those small plastic hamster boxes that usually have a handle on the lid and fill with dechlorinated water. Pop in a small filter if you want or an airstone and add a bit of gravel to it if you want (not vital). Pop in a live plant like elodea or such and add your snails. Keep on a warm windowsill with plenty of daylight and add snails. Feed flakefood, cucumber or lettuce and such and do regular small water changes. You can of course use a small fishtank if you want, doesn't have to be a hamster box

 

[Always Learning]

I don't know about keeping lots in the tank and letting the puffers take as they fancy, as mine are like balloons now. They look like they've all swallowed a small marble each and there's not a snail in sight. I put in 10 thinking that it would last the 3 of them a day or two, but they polished them off within the half hour...