Questions about Dwarf Puffers

[dixaisy930]

Currently, I have a molly and two platies in a ten gallon, and would like to add two dwarf puffers. This has only been the fishes second day in the tank, however, and I was wondering how long should I wait before adding the two new additions? I feel fairly comfortable putting them in with the other three, as long as I can find two that aren't terribly aggressive. Also, what do you recommend feeding the dwarf puffers? I already have a good supply of small snails for them.

 

[Bradley]

Hi
I have a pair of dwarf puffs as well.
Other than snails(because they wont last, 2 ate over 100 snails in a week),
try feeding brine shrimp, fresh water shrimp, or(most commonly), fish fry
Dont worry, the puffers rarely catch the fry, only as a last ditch effort t stay alive

Good luck!

 

[Gibbo]

Dwarf Asian Puffers may be suitable but they can also nip fins, so keep a close eye on them. On the other hand they can also be a bit shy and timid so don't put them in with aggressive tankmates as this will stress them to death - try and strike a balance... fast moving Danios and the like will be good tankmates

 

[dixaisy930]

So far, everyone is getting along rather well. One of the puffers nipped at one of my platies a little, but the platy didn't put up with that, and went after him. The puffer hasn't messed with the platy since. Now I'm having trouble getting the puffers to eat...they've just picked at the snails (I think because the snails got wise and are hiding now ). I've tried bloodworms and dried tubifex worms. Right now I have some brine shrimp eggs in salt water, and see if they'll like brine shrimp better. Anyone else have any suggestions on getting them to eat? They should be hungry right? I haven't seen them eat in 24hrs.

 

[dixaisy930]

I had to return one of the puffers today...he wasn't eating anything I was offering...shrimp...snails. He just wanted to go after my platy. The other puffer seems happier with the other one gone. She doesn't just hide in the plants anymore, but actually swims around. She loves snails (the lfs gave me about twenty, and she's polished off about half of them). She loves brine shrimp (the freeze dried kind) and has a bite of tubifex worms once in awhile.

 

[CraZ4fiSHieS]

Hey Im glad your puffer is doing well. Sorry about the other one. That stinks. I had a couple for a while (I say had because my boyfriend somehow got the idea I didnt like them and gave them to a friend ) I really like dwarf puffers. I had trouble getting mine to eat at first too. Something that I found they really LOVED was wax worms! Kinda gross, but I had to actually Gut the worm (peel off the skin) and plop it in the water. I guess they couldnt figure out how to do that themselves! But anyway they looked forward to the worms and knew when feeding time was! Gobbled em right up! Just thought Id tell you that to see if Im just nuts or maybe you'd wanna try it out?
Good luck with her! They're awsome fishies! B)

 

[Josh Q]

Are dwarf puffers brackish?
-Josh

 

[Gibbo]

No, not all of them. Some are totally freshwater whereas others need a certain amount of (aquarium) salt in their water. Research your potential purchase before buying.

 

[Pufferpack]

Sorry to hear you had to take the little feller back . My pack won't touch any dried food at all, I feed them frozen bloodworns and frozen brineshrimp.
Keep a close eye on the remaining one, if the other fish harrass it too much it will eventually snap and retaliate with a vengence...I found out the hard way that small doesn't equal harmless (my pack killed a Mbuna Cichlid when they snapped)