Dwarf Puffers In a 5g

[GuppyDude]

my brother got one of those 5g tank setups that come with the nice light and filter system and we are currently desideing what to put in it. he's new to fish so we are kicking around alot of differant ideas. one plan iv come up with is liek 3 dwarf puffers. i know that they are same species kind of fish and are agressive so im pretty sure there wont be too much of anything else in there with them, maybe an otto or 2. would puffers work in a 5g or do hey ned more space? iv heard the dwarfs only get to be about an inch or so long if that, sound like it should work but im not sure, thats why im asking u guys

 

[pnyklr3]

Only one dwarf puffer would work in that tank. I have read (on another forum) that people say 2-3 gallons per puffer, but the good folks here say 5 gallons per puffer. The DPs will be friendly towards each other, and sometimes even want the company as little ones. But as they mature, they will be aggressive towards one another, and you will probably only be left with one. I have 2 puffers in a heavily planted 10 gallon. I've also provided pots (on their sides) for places to "get away." They hang out with each other right now, but I don't think it will always be like this!

As for other tank mates: Some say they have been successful with ottos in the tank, and others have found dead ottos. I dunno I wouldn't risk it.

 

[andywg]

This has probably been said many times before but I'll restate it anyway...

Never keep anything with a puffer that you don't want to lose.

Some have been lucky and managed otos and even community fish. However as far as I can see from reading stories, theese plans fail more often than they succeed.

The only fairly regular success stories with DPs are Bristlenose plecs and Bumblebee Gobies. But finding the correct species of Bumblebee Goby is a mission in itself.

With regards to size, 1 DP per 5 gallons. You can bend that a bit once you have larger tanks that are heavily planted (I am currently ok with a heavily planted 35 gallon containing 9 DPs) but I would never do it on a smaller scale. You may get lucky but the chances are the fish will get too aggressive in a cinfined space.

 

[GuppyDude]

yea i knew they were ver agressive, just didn't know if 3 of the same species would work in a 5g, alright thanx for the info