DPs

[glolite]

Just been chatting to Dwarfs as he has new DPs. I now have space for one DP (at last!!!). Can they be kept with a plec or would a DP kill that as well.

 

[Erised]

A 40l is indeed big enough for 1 dp However, I dont think its big enough for a plec. People will argue this, so I guess it really is up to how you feel about it
In answer to your question:
Dwarf Puffers all have a very different personality, some people managed to pull off keeping them in a community tank without any more than a couple of fin nips, others cant even keep them in a species only tank without them killing eachother.

Usually, people are able to keep a bristlenose plec with them though. It is however possible you get a puffer that doesnt like the plec ... so for that reason I'd say the answer is: only if you can house the plec in a different tank if they turn out not to get along. Keep a very close eye on it if you do get a plec as well ... not only for the first few days, but also the months to come after that.

 

[SirMinion]

Keep a very close eye on it if you do get a plec as well ... not only for the first few days, but also the months to come after that.

Darn ggod advice.
Dwarf puffers' personalities change considerably as they mature and what might be tolerated when they're young might become a target six months down the line.

 

[glolite]

Thanks for the replies. The plec is growing on to go in with my sajica, who's a bit bad tempered. So it will only be temporary, however a bristlenose is a good idea and if the puffer doesn't like it then I can move the bristle in with some male guppies.
Thanks again.

 

[Pufferpunk]

I've hear that DPs do quite well with otocinclus & ghost/amano shrimp.

 

[Erised]

Umm, shrimp get eaten sooner or later. Far as I'm aware there's not a single exception to that in the dwarf puffer world. The ottos is the same story as the plec. Some tolerate it, some dont.

 

[kingkano]

Should be able to keep 2 or 3 in 40ltr but make sure there is only 1 male and its heavily planted. heavier than you think is heavily

Mine is very heavily planted and I keep shrimps no problem, altho when my cherrys bred the puffs ate those. But they dont attack the full grown shrimps at all (amanos and cherrys mostly). I also keep ottos, sae's and baby Bristlenose plecs. They do occasionally chase the SAEs but thats more down to them stealing bloodworm they dont bother any of the others.

But like mentioned, puffs are so individual. I haev 1 male and 4 females, and he is definitely the boss of the entire tank and sometimes has a grump....

 

[glolite]

All this knowledge is being stored for my future DP, thanks folks.
By the way, how do you feed a puffer when on hols? Would an automatic feeder deal with shell-on shrimps and snails? I think not.

 

[SirMinion]

Do what I do and never go on holiday.
With the fish, parrots, cats & reptiles I haven't been away for about 17 years.

Seriously though, it depends on how long you'll be away, if it's not too long then a large dose of LIVE bloodworm and/or snails will keep them going for quite some time without fouling the tank.

 

[glolite]

A week? Ha, counted up the other day and including the pond fish we've got about 120 fish Perhaps I SHOULD stay at home. What with the cocketiels just about to breed and the ancient doggy, it's quite a menagerie here.

 

[Gimli]

I've hear that DPs do quite well with otocinclus

not quite sure about the otto's. I used too have 2 ottos in with a SAP and one died in a couple of days and the other lost its eye so we put it in another tank. At least he survived the SAP.

P.S= Where did you hear that anyway.

 

[fish_face]

I have just bought a DP and housed him/her in a 34 litre tank with two baby ottos I hope they'll be ok, I do have room in my bigger tank if they don't get on though