i've been researching dwarf puffers as an alternate for my 10g tank. i'm currently in the midst of a fishless cycle, and i have a betta lined up to occupy it -- but since bettas don't always adapt to a large tank, i've been looking for other "interesting" fish for me to keep.
dwarf puffer fish is amongst my contenders. i was thinking of simply owning one, or two at the max. it's a gravel/marble/small river rock combo substrate at the moment (very ugly, as I'm poor and had to make do with what I had on hand to begin with. Wish I'd waited long enough to get a sand substrate), with lots of bogwood (perhaps an over-abundance), anacharis, two fake plants, and a fair bit of java moss. it's got a tetra whisper 10i, rated at 90 gph, which is "current killed" (a pepsi bottle curl and some blockage at the intake), and an internal heater which is preset to 73 degrees or 86 degrees.
I know dwarf puffers generally prefer sand substrate, but my gravel is not 'sharp', so while not ideal, I imagine it's probably acceptable.
Now, I'm a bookish sort. I enjoy researching to death before I commit to a purchase, especially when my purchase is alive. I think I'll probably get a dwarf puffer some time in my life, even if i don't get it now, which means I'm researching doubly hard, and bookmarking twice as much.
Anyways, to the point:
At the only LPS which sells puffer fish, was an empty tank that had "puffer fish, $8.99" labeled on it. They told me that the puffer passed on before I could get there and get a good looksee, but I asked what sort it was before it died. They told me, "Topaz Puffer," and then indicated with a series of hand gestures how small it was, and that it got no more big "than this," and then indicated about an inch and a half. That sounded dwarfy to me, so I was pleased. I immediately flew home and googled it, only to discover that 'topaz puffer' was not generally a common named for dwarf puffers.
He did tell me they were freshwater puffers, and that they were tiny and stayed that way. I then read about ceylon puffers, and that they're often sold as freshwaters in their youth.
Ok, so now, at least, I don't trust my LPS.
But, on the off chance that he's wrong, and on the chance that my betta hates his new 10gal home, and on the chance that I get my gumption up to put research to live action use, how can a novice, who has only seen pictures, tell a ceylon puffer apart from a dwarf puffer, especially taking into consideration that puffers seem to vary in color depending on time of day and stress levels?
I do consider posting a picture on this forum and saying, "what that?" an option, but I was rather hoping it'd be a shade easier than that, and a little more independant.
dwarf puffer fish is amongst my contenders. i was thinking of simply owning one, or two at the max. it's a gravel/marble/small river rock combo substrate at the moment (very ugly, as I'm poor and had to make do with what I had on hand to begin with. Wish I'd waited long enough to get a sand substrate), with lots of bogwood (perhaps an over-abundance), anacharis, two fake plants, and a fair bit of java moss. it's got a tetra whisper 10i, rated at 90 gph, which is "current killed" (a pepsi bottle curl and some blockage at the intake), and an internal heater which is preset to 73 degrees or 86 degrees.
I know dwarf puffers generally prefer sand substrate, but my gravel is not 'sharp', so while not ideal, I imagine it's probably acceptable.
Now, I'm a bookish sort. I enjoy researching to death before I commit to a purchase, especially when my purchase is alive. I think I'll probably get a dwarf puffer some time in my life, even if i don't get it now, which means I'm researching doubly hard, and bookmarking twice as much.
Anyways, to the point:
At the only LPS which sells puffer fish, was an empty tank that had "puffer fish, $8.99" labeled on it. They told me that the puffer passed on before I could get there and get a good looksee, but I asked what sort it was before it died. They told me, "Topaz Puffer," and then indicated with a series of hand gestures how small it was, and that it got no more big "than this," and then indicated about an inch and a half. That sounded dwarfy to me, so I was pleased. I immediately flew home and googled it, only to discover that 'topaz puffer' was not generally a common named for dwarf puffers.
He did tell me they were freshwater puffers, and that they were tiny and stayed that way. I then read about ceylon puffers, and that they're often sold as freshwaters in their youth.
Ok, so now, at least, I don't trust my LPS.
But, on the off chance that he's wrong, and on the chance that my betta hates his new 10gal home, and on the chance that I get my gumption up to put research to live action use, how can a novice, who has only seen pictures, tell a ceylon puffer apart from a dwarf puffer, especially taking into consideration that puffers seem to vary in color depending on time of day and stress levels?
I do consider posting a picture on this forum and saying, "what that?" an option, but I was rather hoping it'd be a shade easier than that, and a little more independant.
if you live near a university, they're slightly more likely to have a copy.
damn. the clerk and i had the same exact reaction at the same time. 
"uh, no."
you should change the title of this thread to "Why Common Names Are Useless" and get it pinned.
may we all be so lucky in our purchases.
Oh yeah, puffers made me hate common names. I think the LPS winces whenever they hear my voice on the phone now, I ask a million questions in great detail and request odd things, like java moss! (gasp)
