is a DP too sensitive for a beginner?

[fishwatcher]

I am looking to set up a new tank, 10-gal divided in half. One side for a male betta and 2 ADFs, 1 side for 1 DP. My other tank is cycled, and I would use the filter from it. It would have sand substrate and live plants. I wonder, since I'm fairly new to the fish hobby, is a DP too difficult for me to try? I think they are adorable and will do the best I can, I just don't want to get a fish that's super sensitive as I may kill it.

 

[@ombomb]

From what I understand you need 10G per DP anyway.

 

[fishwatcher]

Oh really? I thought it was 5-gallons...

 

[pica_nuttalli]

its 5g per DP, 10g per SAP.

but i'd not try a divided tank w/ a betta simply because bettas are a little too talented about jumping fences to get into fights. and DPs are a little too talented at eating fins.

there are also issues about maintaining top notch water quality and difficulty getting DPs to eat non-living foods, but those can really be solved by just adjusting your schedules. the biggest reason i don't advise puffer keeping to newbies is that its just too tempting to get tankmates. puffers are timebombs in a community setting. its really easy to add one tankmate, have it work for a month, then add a few more--and then have the puffer go on a $20 killing spree. when they say species tank for a puffer, they pretty well mean a SPECIES tank.

 

[fishwatcher]

Thanks for the advice! I've been looking up info on them for a while now, and I've seen the mayhem they can cause in a community tank!
I have considered the scape-artist ability of the betta, and am thinking if I keep the water levelabout an inch below the top of the divider (which will go to the very top of the tank where the will meet it), that should discourage any jumping right?
I know to feed the DP bloodworms and snails (not trumpet), and to feed about every other day, until his tummy is nice and rounded. I am thinking of course that I will make sure the water is well cycled (I'm using a filter from my other tank) before I add a DP to it, too.
Does that sound ok to all of you?

Edit: Also, I've read that they like bogwood and rocks. Though I have no bogwood, I have some large fist-sized and larger white rocks. I also use the small terra cotta pots for caves/hidey holes. Would these be ok? I would also add a few ghost shrimps so they could clean up and then be a little treat for him, if those are ok for him to possibly eat.
Thanks for the help!

 

[Erised]

Honestly, I think that sounds like a lovely setup for a puffer! Make sure to add some live plants too The shrimp should be fine, and you seem to have all your information correct! As long as the tank is proper cycled, you seem to be more than ready for a dwarf puffer

 

[fishwatcher]

I have a few different plants I'll be transferring from my present tank. Some sort, some tall. I'm going to plant it pretty decent so he'll feel safe by himself. Though as big of buggers as they are, he'd probably feel ok in a 200 gallon open tank!

 

[mandi]

but i'd not try a divided tank w/ a betta simply because bettas are a little too talented about jumping fences to get into fights. and DPs are a little too talented at eating fins.

Sorry but that just CRACKED me up the way you worded that.

I agree though, I've kept bettas for years but I've only had my DPs for about a month. But in both cases, I prefer not to push my luck.

I'm just picturing a little dwarf puffer gazing through the holes in a divider at his lunch next-door.

 

[fishwatcher]

OK... so I guess it's a no-go on the divided tank with a DP??? I'm kind of sad about that, to be honest because I think they are so adorable and cool. But I guess I have to do what's best for them, huh?!? Da**, being a responsible person sure does suck sometimes.
Oh well...
Thanks for all the help, even though it crushed my dreams...

 

[Erised]

Honestly, I'd get some more opinions on that ... I personally think you'll be fine as long as the betta can't jump. Many fishkeepers keep dwarf puffers that don't want to share the same swimming space in a divided tank. If this works, I don't see why it wouldn't work with a betta on the other end.

 

[Pufferpunk]

You really won't be disappointed with a 10g just for DPs... really!!!

 

[fishwatcher]

Well, in reference to Pufferpunk's comment, the 10-gal has to have at least the 2 bettas in it. I can divide it into 5, 3 and 2gallon sections, with the 5-gal going to the DP and the other 2 sections going to the bettas. Do you think this would work?
If I tried it and they were at each other too much, I could remove one of them, right?

 

[Saucy]

Wait, why would you have to have 2 bettas in the tank? I'm slightly confused about that one. I've never had a jumping problem with my bettas either. I don't see why they wouldn't be good tankmates, actually... sounds like a good plan.

If I were you, I'd just split the tank in half, give have to the puffer and half to your betta. It'll be happy times for both of them... and lots of plants are good, too.

 

[fishwatcher]

The reason I was going to split it is because I have 2 bettas and 2 ADFs. They are all in separate bowls, and I wanted to put them all in 1 large tank. Both to give them more room (all the bowls are about 1 gal) and help me with the clean-up. That's why I figured on putting 1 in a 2-gal section, 1 and the ADFs in a 3-gal section and having a 5-gal section to possibly put the DP in.

 

[fishwatcher]

Any one else have any opinons on this? I'm open to hear them all, please!