Dwarf Puffer Fish Tank

[benjoey]

I am considering keeping a dwarf puffer in a 21 litre tank, I dont think the filter which is self contained in the hood of the tank is going to be up to scratch so I would like to know of some appropriate filters I could buy and how much they would cost?

I was also wondering what do you plant plants into?, does it go straight into the substrate or do you have to have some kind of soil? I was planning on using sand as the substrate.

Also does anyone have any general tips on keeping puffer fish?

 

[DarkEntity]

21 litres is 5gallons give or take, so would be suitable for 1 or 2 dwarf puffers at the most. Also in that size of tank ou would need to really heavily plant it due to the aggressive nature of the fish.

Gravel will do as these puffers dont bury themselves. Be prepared for twice weekly water changes due to their messy eating habbits and also regualr water tests for Ammonia, Nirtite, nitrate etc. Most of all make sure the tank is FULLY cycled prior to even thinking about adding them.

 

[Tommo]

There are some pinned topics on keeping puffers, and dwarf puffers in particular, at the top of this forum, for more in depth plant advice you could ask in the planted tank section of this forum.

In terms of filtration, you want to purchase a filter for a tank slightly larger than your own in order to have it overfiltered slightly. however I cant think of the names of any particular suitable models at the moment.

 

[fredyk]

Also does anyone have any general tips on keeping puffer fish?

they are territorial, especially males. even the females nip at each other, so use lots of plants, so they can have a leaf to hide under, and call it their own. they also prefer live food. mine got adjusted to frozen blood worms, but they lost weight, so now they get live black worms exclusively.

here's some pics of puffers in plant leaves
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=206366&hl=

 

[Puffergirl]

I have three dwarfs in a 60 litre tank, one male two female (just luck...you can't tell when they are juvenile!). It is heavily planted with real plants and mopani wood which they enjoy. The roots of my plants are in pots which are then buried in the sand substrate. I have not had much luck at growing plants directly into the sand, they seem to prefer the pot base.

Never had any aggression from any of them in this setup but I have had them from very very small. They only get frozen (thawed) bloodworm which I put into the outlet of the powerhead so they have to chase it to eat.

They are very entertaining...enjoy!

 

[benjoey]

do you use soil inside the pot then?

 

[DarkEntity]

do you use soil inside the pot then?

erm no..the pot contains wool and a fert, once its large enough the roots will grow through into your substrate.