DP Question (this one is different - honest!)

[boxman]

Ok, I've read the 10's of threads about keeping DP's and I'm not going to bore everyone AGAIN about it but my DP related question is

One of my LFS' have about 12 dp's in the same tank and (although I have to admit it was quite amusuing at first) seeing them chasing the other fish around (and eachother) did give me cause to take a closer look, and yes, 90% of them had fin nips.

Ok, down to the question - is it better to get the one that is aggressive (with little or no fin nip) or one that maybe is a little lacking in the fin department (hopefullly slightly less agressive!)

I'm going to be giving the DP it's own tank (about 8 gal+).

Thanks
Pete

 

[Erised]

If he/she is on his/her own, I don't think it really matters
Personally, I've found both male and female, aggressive and sweet tempered to have a huge attractiveness I've I'd have to choose though, I'd go for the nipped ones that are less aggressive. My female non aggressive dp was definatly my favourite by far.

--Edit--
She was my favourite because she used to greet me properly and actually follow me around and stuff, I've found my males (more aggressive in my case) to pay less attention to me and more attention to making sure absolutely nothing would enter their territory (even when on their own).

 

[boxman]

How can you tell the difference between male and female DP's?

 

[paulthegreat]

Forgive my ignorance but what are DP's

 

[pica_nuttalli]

Dwarf Puffers

 

[paulthegreat]

OK my bad I read a bit further and am guessing DP's are dwarf puffers. Sorry just looking at the first line that came up and was not familiar with this fourm.

 

[john5748]

Forgive my ignorance but what are DP's

I am afraid I can't help on that one either but I'm sure someone will enlighten us soon

 

[john5748]

I really need to improve my typing speed

 

[paulthegreat]

Me 2

 

[boxman]

Ok, glad that's sorted, but getting back to my question, how do I sex a DP (Dwarf Puffer)?

 

[boxman]

Ok, now I'm well confused - the person at the LFS told me it was a figure 8 puffer (when I asked "do you have any dwarf puffers). Reading these excellent threads there's an obvious difference between the two!
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=80904 and
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=88414

How can I tell the difference?

Thanks

 

[Erised]

Don't worry, the difference is very obvious!!
Lookies:
Dwarf puffer (picture on the right is what they look like most of the time [males btw, have wrinkles behind their eyes, like shown on the left, and have a black stripe on their stomach, though this can fade depending on their mood, so look at the wrinkles!])

Figure eight:

As you can see, they look nothing like eachother The dwarf puffer has a yellow main colour with black spots, the figure eight has a dark brown main colour with yellow lines/circles ... on top of them (their back) they'll often have 2 circles touching eachother, forming an 8!

--Edit--

Read through this thread:
Dwarf Puffers in the fish Index ... it might be helpful

 

[Pufferpunk]

The F8 may not always have an 8 on their back but you can always tell the species by the 2 black eyespots by their tail.

 

[boxman]

RRRR, it's figure 8 at the LFS, just went a few minutes ago and they're labelled DP!!!!!

So now all these people are going to be buying them for freshwater (and most likely putting them in their betta tank or some such).

Are figure 8's still as fun to keep as DP's? I guess you can always add Bumblebee Goby's too (even though it is a bit risky!)

8's do seem to have a nicer, brighter colour too.... hmmm....

 

[Erised]

Ofcourse they're just as fun to keep, it's a puffer!
From what I've heard, and seen, yes, they're great as well
They do however require a bigger tank (to keep the brackish levels properly, I'd go for a 15/20G min.)