Bichir's First Planted!

[Bichir Bro]

I've never had that type of puffer myself, but from what I've heard on this forum, they are excellent little fish. I've heard that they have a personality that you really can't get out of other freshwater fish. I'd probably be torn too if I had the same decision to make. If you go the puffer route, some Oto cats might make for good tankmates.

Otos would be nice but I'd be a little concerned about the tank size- might be a little too small..
On more puffy note the petco near me has an infestation of MTS in four of their tanks, so he'd have a steady supply of free snails!



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[ImACoolguy]

Hey Bichir

I've been silently following along

Great to see you are joining the planted side! It's fun and very rewarding to see a tank full of plants you grew.

I see you are taking interest in the dwarf puffer.

These are awesome little fish and you will not regret it.

When you get him though, I would recommend treating him for parasites with PraziPro. Many DP are wild caught and can carry parasites with them. Even tank raised have been known to carry them. So coming from a guy that lost his puffer to this^^^ I'm trying to raise awareness as it is common.

That's great you found a snail supply you can count on.

Best of luck I'll be watching


Caleb

 

[jaelynepling]

I am wanting to get a fish and tank for one of my cousins for his birthday. What would be the best thing to buy for him?


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[ImACoolguy]

I am wanting to get a fish and tank for one of my cousins for his birthday. What would be the best thing to buy for him?


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You should really make your own thread,

But I would start with a 20g+. Plenty of stocking options compared to smaller tanks. Head over to the getting started section to learn about cycling a tank.


Caleb

 

[fishenthusiast]

Otos would be nice but I'd be a little concerned about the tank size- might be a little too small..
On more puffy note the petco near me has an infestation of MTS in four of their tanks, so he'd have a steady supply of free snails!



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Yeah, I can see your concern. If your tank is under 15 gallons, I wouldn't get Otos. Live snails would be great for the puffer!

 

[Brookster123]

3 Otos will be fine in that tank.

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[Bichir Bro]

Hey Bichir

I've been silently following along

Great to see you are joining the planted side! It's fun and very rewarding to see a tank full of plants you grew.

I see you are taking interest in the dwarf puffer.

These are awesome little fish and you will not regret it.

When you get him though, I would recommend treating him for parasites with PraziPro. Many DP are wild caught and can carry parasites with them. Even tank raised have been known to carry them. So coming from a guy that lost his puffer to this^^^ I'm trying to raise awareness as it is common.

That's great you found a snail supply you can count on.

Best of luck I'll be watching


Caleb

Hey Caleb! Thanks for the advice, I'll certainly take care of that if I go that route.


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[Bichir Bro]

Yeah, I can see your concern. If your tank is under 15 gallons, I wouldn't get Otos. Live snails would be great for the puffer!

3 Otos will be fine in that tank.

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Hmmm if I do go puffer might do Otos since he'd probably peck a cpo and shrimps...although I do want the Otos at their happiest.


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[philipraposo198]

3 otos is not a good suggestion as otos will prefer a large group otherwise they are easily stress, stop eating and die young. I would suggest 8 otos minimum as a group.

 

[Bichir Bro]

3 otos is not a good suggestion as otos will prefer a large group otherwise they are easily stress, stop eating and die young. I would suggest 8 otos minimum as a group.

Thanks for the recommendation!
Here's my stock ideas that I've compiled so far-
x13 {or so} Boraras brigittae or naevus w/ some shrimp {amano} or cpo.
~or~
x1 dp w/ cpo



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[ImACoolguy]

I'd do the DP alone or with ottos, puffers are quite nippy if they can catch the fish. It's just unneeded aggression IMO. Plus they can make a mess of the snails. Just more bioload for the tank.

With the ottos, I've kept 2 In my 75g for months and they are fat as can be. I'm sure they would prefer a school(I am looking at getting more) but with them I don't see it as essential in particular to otos.


Caleb

 

[Bichir Bro]

I'd do the DP alone or with ottos, puffers are quite nippy if they can catch the fish. It's just unneeded aggression IMO. Plus they can make a mess of the snails. Just more bioload for the tank.

With the ottos, I've kept 2 In my 75g for months and they are fat as can be. I'm sure they would prefer a school(I am looking at getting more) but with them I don't see it as essential in particular to otos.


Caleb

Sorry for the confusion, I meant a school OR a dp. Should've caught that.
I'd prefer to see the Otos in a bigger home personally, I doubt they'll ever end up in my tank.


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[fish wrangler]

3 otos is not a good suggestion as otos will prefer a large group otherwise they are easily stress, stop eating and die young. I would suggest 8 otos minimum as a group.

How do you know that otos prefer an 8+ group? When I had 5 of them I never saw the interact together apart from 2 munching algae on the same rock. IMO you can keep a group of 3 otos and not have issues.

Just my 2 cents on them.

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[Bichir Bro]

*And now for something completely different* I was at my local petsmart looking at TC plants and a man asks me if I have a planted tank. I respond yes I'm starting one up now and when he started asking me about substrate and co2 he was amazed I knew about, and was actually dosing, the stuff!
Upon further discussion he tells me that he personally talks with, and knows Tom Barr and Oliver Knott, has buyers and sellers all around the globe and sells insanely expensive shrimps (PRL and stuff) and rare plants!
Says he apart of my local cities planted tank club so I'm for sure going to be signing up for that!


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[fish wrangler]

And what would said local city be?? Closest big city is all I'm wondering about

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[Bichir Bro]

And what would said local city be?? Closest big city is all I'm wondering about

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Dallas/Fort Worth


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[fish wrangler]

Yea thats not local for me....only a 14 hour car ride lol

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[Bichir Bro]

Yea thats not local for me....only a 14 hour car ride lol

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Lol yeah, I love how in Texas you can drive 12+ hours and still be in Texas!


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[fish wrangler]

Lol yeah, I love how in Texas you can drive 12+ hours and still be in Texas!


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Not in Texas, but much farther north like Chicago area

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[Bichir Bro]

Well that's aquasoil for ya I guess...I had lots of fully established bio media too, oh well. Must have been too much for it hence the nitrites.


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