Stocking: Dwarf Puffer in 3 Gallon or Smaller?

[kellyinvancouver]

Hello hello hello,

I have recently been admiring dwarf puffers from afar, but am nervous about subjecting my community tank to one... I understand that they are nippy and solitary (when mature) and would like to devote a nano-tank (desktop?) to one.


I am looking at 3 tanks: a square 1.5 gal, a 2 gal mini-bow or a square 3 gal. Needless to say, all tanks would be heated, heavily forested, supplied with frozen food/pellets and cleaned very throrughly (I'm a neat freak) every Saturday. What is the minimum size a dwarf puffer (and the odd shrimp/snail to snack on) would be comfortable with? The smaller the better (as long as the puffer is happy).



Thanks for your input!

 

[meegosh]

I'd say 10g is the minimum you should go with. Keep in mind you will have to keep a good stock of live foods for the DP's. Snails seem to be the food of choice for many. I think someone on here has 4 in a 10g, maybe they will see this and post some more information.

 

[DragonFish71]

Here's an info page for you.

How to care for your New Indian Dwarf Puffer, Carinotetraodon travancoricus, with pictures

 

[JustOneMore20]

I feel like a single puffer would be ok in a 5g, but nothing smaller. From what they eat (frozen and live foods), they make alot of waste for their small size so a 5g would be a little more water volume for them. Make sure it has a good filter as well. Not sure if you have a Petsmart nearby, but they usually sell 5.5g tanks and one would be perfect for a DP...or any 5g.

 

[kellyinvancouver]

I feel like a single puffer would be ok in a 5g, but nothing smaller. From what they eat (frozen and live foods), they make alot of waste for their small size so a 5g would be a little more water volume for them. Make sure it has a good filter as well. Not sure if you have a Petsmart nearby, but they usually sell 5.5g tanks and one would be perfect for a DP...or any 5g.

Okay- good to know! I've browsed alot of species pages but all their minimum tank sizes were geared towards multiple DPs, eg 10gal plus 5gal for each puffer. I have a 5.5 gal... maybe someday its inhabitants (4 endlers and a female betta) will move on up and a DP will take up residence there

 

[bmg07]

ive been wanting dwarf puffers but i have nowere to put them lol