Dwarf Puffers

[Bettafanatic]

I'm thinking of starting a 15 gallon aquarium and while looking for ideas dwarf puffers were recommended to me. I did some researching and found them pretty interesting so I wanted to look into them. Does anyone have any care tips, general facts, suggestions, etc? Also how many could I have in a 15 gallon? There's a lot of conflicting opinions on it but I was thinking 2-3, only one male and the rest female. I'd heavily plant the aquarium to reduce aggressiveness as well. THey seem like great fish. Thanks!

 

[bettaowner]

I'd say three is the most puffers. Feed them brine shrimp and bloodworms. Baby ramshorn snails should be good for teeth trimming.

 

[Bettafanatic]

Turns out I can actually get a 20 long how many dwarf puffers in there?

 

[bettaowner]

I would say four. For plants I would get anubias, crypts, or java fern.

 

[Bettafanatic]

Alright. I hear dwarf puffer tanks have to be heavily planted so I'll get lots of those. Can I use driftwood as well?

 

[bettaowner]

If it's reasonably sized then yes. Puffers will fight over territories so plants are crucial.

 

[Bettafanatic]

Okay lots of plants then. I want to get some plants that won't need co2 supplementation because the location of where the tank will be would make it very tricky. I was thinking dwarf anubias, java fern, and maybe hornwort. Do you have any other suggestions? Also do crypts require co2?

 

[bettaowner]

Crypts don't require co2.

 

[Bettafanatic]

Okay good so I'll stick with those. Thanks for your help I appreciate it.

 

[azmodan]

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f29/dwarf-puffer-profile-166924.html

This is a great resource written by Terrance. If you decide to get four I'd prob recommend adding them all at the same time. Great fish! Good luck!

 

[Bettafanatic]

That's a great profile, thank you.

 

[Khij159753]

Are dwarf puffers really active? I'm thinking about adding 3 in my 29 gallon but don't want something that will just stay in 1 spot all day. 29 gallons is alot of space to fill for a 1 inch fish

 

[Bettafanatic]

Are dwarf puffers really active? I'm thinking about adding 3 in my 29 gallon but don't want something that will just stay in 1 spot all day. 29 gallons is alot of space to fill for a 1 inch fish

the 1 inch of fish rule is really inaccurate and should only be used as a guideline. From what I know, you can add some but not if it's a community aquarium because they're very aggressive.

 

[Bettafanatic]

Instead I might upgrade my saltwater tank to a 20 gallon and use the 10 gallon for dwarf puffers. If I did that then I'd only have two dwarf puffers. I'm so indecisive I'm sure I'll change my mind 100 more times before I decide on something. If I go through with it, how many otos could I have with the puffers in a 10g?

 

[bettaowner]

Two otos. Another good puffer would be the south american puffer. More peaceful than the dwarf but only one puffer will do in the 10.

 

[bkiggy]

I had 4 DP and 3 died due to aggression and it was the female that bullied everyone. 1 is usually how it goes with these guys.

 

[bkiggy]

Otos, syno petrocola, ghost shrimp , Pleco, all can live together usually

 

[Bettafanatic]

I still have to decide what I want to do. Indecisiveness and this hobby really do not mix. I still have to decide what to use the 20L for.

 

[bettaowner]

Just get another tank and keep it at home. That's what I would do.

 

[Bettafanatic]

I think I will start with just getting the 20 for dwarf puffers and wait until I'm ready to upgrade my saltwater. I've always liked freshwater a lot more anyways, and a 20 would look nicer in the spot I'm gonna put it then a 10 gallon. How many otos then?