Dwarf Puffers

[pnyklr3]

I was wondering what exactly entails the "sight line" for dwarf puffers. I have read that one should use plants to break up the sight line, in order to minimize agression, but how high should I go? Do puffers utilize the entire height of the tank, or do they like to stick to a certain area. Also, (going to sound real new when I say this) if puffers are so agressive towards one another, why are so many ept in the tanks at the lfs with no problems?


Edit: I also wanted to mention that they were in a tank at the store with another type of fish (not a bottom dweller, and can't recall what it was). These fish were much larger than the dwarfs. What gives? I'm sorry that I am asking so many "obvious" questions, but I want to get this right before I venture into the world of oddballs!

 

[jflowers]

Puffers at the lfs are juvi's and are not so aggresive. A few caves and plants should sufice, line of site is not the whole tank height.

As said, juvi's are not as aggresive and some fish can be kept with DP's while young. My advise though would be Nothing in the same tank!! I had oto's in a tank with DP's and have just moved a single one eyed oto to my main tank, it was all that was left after a bad night with my DP.

Jon

 

[pnyklr3]

Wow, and I thought that ottos would be okay with DP. So juveniles are ok together in the lfs, but as they mature, the agression kicks in?

 

[jflowers]

Seems that way, dp's were in a tiny tank and were about 30 in there, with about 10 SAP's all seemed happy. When rehomed they took on thier usual behaviour, nippy.

Jon

 

[Raechal]

I would just keep it a species tank heavily planted if you want DPs. My sister has a 10 gallon with sand substrate and a few plants (picking up a few more as the tank cycles) and she wants to add more fish along with the DPs but she just doesn't understand it isn't their size that matters, it is their aggression. She just think since they are so small she can add more fish.

 

[pnyklr3]

Ok, so is it alright to have a "clean up crew" with DPs? Do they only nip the fins of "pretty fish" (i.e. anything colorful or long) or will they nep even the most drab bottom dwellers?

 

[Erised]

They nip anything and everything, unfortunatly. Its really difficult to tell though, some people pull off being able to keep them in a community tank while some cant even keep them with an otto or a different dwarf without them killing all. It really depends on the personality. I wouldnt take my chances though, keep it a strict species only tank and use your hand to get algae off the window

 

[pnyklr3]

So the rule for dwarfs is about 2-3 gallons per puffer right? The guy at the lfs said I would be able to have about 6 in a 10 gallon, but I thought that would be too many.

 

[Erised]

Actually, the rule tends to be at least 5G a puffer. Though many people argue different, me and the other puffer loves here tend to say its at least 5G to make sure there's not too much aggression. I really wouldnt try to push this limit either, seeing as chances are you'll severly stress the puffer. I also find it best to not keep more than 1 male in a tank, but that might just depend on the personality of the puffer.

So in a 10G, you could keep 2 dwarf puffers.

 

[pnyklr3]

Awww, you mean I can't keep 4 of them in a breeder net? *sigh* WHat am I going to do now? Note: For all who didn't understand, that was sarcasm!

Thanks for all of the help so far! One more question (but I can't promise that!): In the case of some other aggressive fish, they can be kept in larger tanks so that they could get away from eachother. Is this not the case with having a community tank and (only a couple) DP (assuming a large tank with plenty of cover, and fish larger than the DP)? (This is only for the info on the behavior of DP, I do not plan on risking my cockatoos to them).

EDIT: I guess what I mean is: Do DP "hunt down" fish to nip, or does it happen when they cross paths/venture into territory?

 

[Raechal]

You could add some ghost shrimp to the tank if you can find them for cheap. While the puffers will most likely eat them they can clean up your tank while they are there and also provide as a good food source.

 

[Erised]

They actually hunt down fish to nip. Size does not matter either, only difference is that they'll get nipped till they die of an infection rather than die coz of being eaten. Sorry

If they do not get along though, you could just get a 5G tank and put it in there? Make sure it has no mirror background I started off with 3 dwarf puffers in a 15G, (2m + 1f) ... 1 of the males (We called meanie and absolutely loved to pieces) could not get along with them at all and really was Nasty ... we had to take him out after about 2 weeks, when my lil girl had a bite in her lip ... quick resolution as we needed, I had an empty 5G laying around I set up ... later on that evening I found out that the mirror background on it had stressed him out so much that he was dying. We moved him back to the main tank, hoping he'd recover, but he didnt. Lesson learned the hard way ... so be warned

 

[pnyklr3]

Thanks a lot for all of the info! I have never ventured toward agressive fish before (my dwarf cichlids are very peaceful), and had no idea that these cute little tiny things could be so bold! Good thing I ask questions before splashing them into my tank!

 

[dwarf-puffers]

i feel like an idiot but i just joined so what r dp's

 

[pica_nuttalli]

dwarf puffers!! sorry, the irony was too much...

its cool tho'. its much better to just ask questions when you don't understand than to carry on like a... me? i mean, great big dummy. i think i mean me still...


welcome to the club, kiddo!