mandi
Fish Addict
Once my 20 gallon is finished cycling, I'm planning on moving my platies out of my Eclipse System 6 tank.
I've really become interested in dwarf puffers and I'd love to try my hand and keeping one, but I have some questions --
(1) I read that because they are scale-less they have to be put into cycled tanks. Once I remove the platies from the tank, would it be ok to add them (after vacuuming the gravel & doing a water change of course) because the tank is already cycled? Or should I do anything special?
(2) How many should I get? I'd like to get 2, but if 1 would be better in the tank then that would be fine.
(3) Should I move my 3 oto's? -- I know other fish don't typically mix well with puffers, and I'm open to keeping my otos in my 6 or 20 gallon tank, but I'd prefer leaving them in the 6-gallon to help with the algae. If I give them hiding places would they be ok?
(4) Would the tank (in general) be okay for 1 or 2 puffers? -- 6 gallon, pH is on the high side (I think it was 8 the last time I checked). Substrate is small white gravel. There are quite a few live plants (swords, dwarf lilly, llyodiella, moss balls). I also reccently discovered a few really small snails (yay dinner for the puffers haha) that must have hitched a ride in on some plants or something. I have 1 rock in there, but no caves or anything at the moment. -- Anything I should add/change as far as plants or decorations (less/more/types)??
Here's a picture of the tank to give you an idea -- quite a few plants, but still lots of open swimming area too:
Thanks in advance for any help!!
I'm just trying to plan ahead.
Edit: My water is also very hard (250) and the temperature is kept at a very steady 80-degrees fahrenheit.
I've really become interested in dwarf puffers and I'd love to try my hand and keeping one, but I have some questions --
(1) I read that because they are scale-less they have to be put into cycled tanks. Once I remove the platies from the tank, would it be ok to add them (after vacuuming the gravel & doing a water change of course) because the tank is already cycled? Or should I do anything special?
(2) How many should I get? I'd like to get 2, but if 1 would be better in the tank then that would be fine.
(3) Should I move my 3 oto's? -- I know other fish don't typically mix well with puffers, and I'm open to keeping my otos in my 6 or 20 gallon tank, but I'd prefer leaving them in the 6-gallon to help with the algae. If I give them hiding places would they be ok?
(4) Would the tank (in general) be okay for 1 or 2 puffers? -- 6 gallon, pH is on the high side (I think it was 8 the last time I checked). Substrate is small white gravel. There are quite a few live plants (swords, dwarf lilly, llyodiella, moss balls). I also reccently discovered a few really small snails (yay dinner for the puffers haha) that must have hitched a ride in on some plants or something. I have 1 rock in there, but no caves or anything at the moment. -- Anything I should add/change as far as plants or decorations (less/more/types)??
Here's a picture of the tank to give you an idea -- quite a few plants, but still lots of open swimming area too:
Thanks in advance for any help!!
I'm just trying to plan ahead.Edit: My water is also very hard (250) and the temperature is kept at a very steady 80-degrees fahrenheit.
