Dwarf Puffers?

[xweeqtx]

Been looking at topics/websites on them and all of it is conflicting info..

Are they any good in a community tank?
I read that they get territorial - would it be best just to get one?

Tank they would be for is my 30gal, only thing there now is a CAE[need to update sig!] and 2 mollies[tank bred, they are about an inch and a half].

Tank has gravel substrate, planted, bogwood, slate caves. In case that means anything towards the puffers.

 

[SJ2K]

There not a community fish im afraid, if you go to the oddballs sections of this forum theres a pinned topic dedicated to the propper care of DP

 

[kewskills]

Been looking at topics/websites on them and all of it is conflicting info..

Are they any good in a community tank?
I read that they get territorial - would it be best just to get one?

Tank they would be for is my 30gal, only thing there now is a CAE[need to update sig!] and 2 mollies[tank bred, they are about an inch and a half].

Tank has gravel substrate, planted, bogwood, slate caves. In case that means anything towards the puffers.

it all depends on the personality of the puffers on question, when i had 2 in a tank one killed the other one, however now i have 4 in a tank with no problems what so ever. i think having 3-4 has spread any aggression out and they all seem to be happier now.
Also having a well planted tank with plenty of places to hide/explore seems to help keep them interested in other things but each other.

 

[Davo86]

Hi xweeqtx

Ideally Dwarf Puffers should just be kept in a species tank (lightly stocked wth their own kind)

The tank setup sounds good, obviously the current tankmates aren't ideal, but there is a chance that they would be fine for a while.

 

[jennybugs]

I wouldn't risk it! The term 'never trust a puffer' is so true. My 3 are in a species only tank with one amano shrimp and 2 otocinclus. DPs when young are less aggressive, but as they get older they turn into little devils. You ay find them fine for a while but one morning you WILL wake up to find either half your tankmates gone or missing fins and tails and chunks out of themselves.
#### is a good site for info

 

[xweeqtx]

Ok, so definitely aren't for me.

I read from one site they were to be put in a species tank then another said community tanks were fine.. how I loathe the internet searches, lol.

Look like little cutie things as well

 

[jennybugs]

They are fantastic little characters! I love my guys and spend hours watching them You could have a mahoosive 30 gal species tank...no?

 

[Jelly]

Each one is different. I have kept two with a school of Neons and a pair of Apisto's with no issues. I have also read of examples of others usually with quicker fish i.e. Tetra etc., I would imagine they would be a problem with longer fined fish, Gourami's and that sort of thing.

Depending on what fish you have or are planning to get. I would give it a go. They are great charactors.

 

[Daz CPFC]

My DP is great and like most here is in a species only tank with some amino shrimp and an Oto. However my Oto chases my DP and the DP gets on the scared side

 

[iSnail]

Each and every DP has it's own distinct personality and that's why I love them so much . They are so interesting to watch.

I would not recommend to keep them with fast swimming fish though since DPs get quite intimidated by them. The bigger issue is really with the feeding. DPs are fairly slow eaters. They take one worm at a time and suck them like speghetti. Fast swimmers tend to dash and grab as fast as possible so it's hard to make sure your DPs are getting fed properly and not over-feeding other fish at the same time.

Most DPs are aggressive but sometimes you get the odd ones that are so timid. I have a one-year-old female that is even frightened by a juvie zebra danio that is ¼ of her size. She's so cute but I'm concerned at the same time