dwarf puffer

[SneakBetta]

I really want a dwarf puffer! I have an extra 6-gallon tank. I was wondering how many I would be able to put in the tank. They wouldn't be with any other kinds of fish. Most websites say they only get up to 1''. Is this true?

 

[Aquascaper]

I was asking about these little chaps only yesterday and my LFS said that 1" - 2" is as big as they get but they will take on and hurt fish four times their size so best kept to species only tanks, although they did say it would mix with some fish (can't remember what though).

Dunno if that helps at all

 

[StingrayKid]

I'm not sure, but arn't those brackish? Not sure if you were planning on one.

 

[Yano]

No, Dwarf Puffers are strictly freshwater. Only tank mates I can think of are otos and sometimes shrimps like ghost shrimps. But they may eat the shrimp or ignore it. O yea, you could put 2 puffers in the tank. They stay small, I have never seen one bigger than 1 1/2in

 

[SneakBetta]

I wasn't going to get any other kinds of fish with them. I was thinking of getting about 3 of them. Is that a good amount for 6-gallons?

 

[Yano]

You could put 3 in tank if you have lots of plants, caves and other hiding places.

 

[SneakBetta]

What exactly do dwarf puffers eat? I was looking at what some people said there eat and it sounds like it may be expensive to feed them. So I'm wondering what do they eat and how much does that cost? Would they like flake food? One more- are these common at pet stores? I have a Petco, Petsmart, Critters, Petland, and Sea Escapes by me.

 

[Aquascaper]

All i've heard is that they like 'crunchy' food. Dunno about flake or anything else.
Thay are nice though I might even get some and put them into my 15 gal when i move the coldwater setup into the new 30 gal i'm getting next weekend.

 

[Lithril]

They most likely won't but definatley shouldn't eat flake foods. Have a read at the pinned puffer posts by pufferpack at the top of this page, that should answer most of your questions, if you've got more, feel free to ask and we'll try to help

 

[SneakBetta]

If I got more than 1 puffer, should I get them at almost the same time (like from the same tank at the petstore) or should I get them a week or so apart? Also, are these the kind of fish that sometimes don't do well when there's only 2?

 

[Yano]

They eat live/frozen bloodworms, not expensive at all. You also need to feed them snails to keep their teeth in good shape. They will not eat flakes, these fish like meaty food. These fish will enjoy being with their own kind given an adaquet amount of space, try to get them all at the same time. This way they can set out their territories.

 

[SneakBetta]

Sorry for all the questions, but I think from all the research I've been doing and your guys (thank you so much all!) I'm ready! I have ONE more question. Dwarf Puffers can't live with Black skirt tetras right? I don't think so since their territorial, but just thought to ask incase maybe I would be able to put the BST in there with the puffers.

 

[Yano]

Questions are good, they are how you learn 8) Nope, they will tear apart that tetra.