My New Dwarf Puffer

[jennybugs]

Got a full tank shot? One man's heavily planted can be a puffer's 'is that it?'

 

[razer121]

i should think i can

ok granted not THAT planted but its a pretty small tank lol, there is the 1 large plant, then anouther fake at the front plus a little 1 growing near the bridge in the back,

 

[jennybugs]

I'll check the pic out at home tonight...as long as he has lots to hunt around and keep him occupied he should be good I forgot for a moment that he's there on his own, but he still needs to have lots of things to keep him interested in his surroundings.

 

[razer121]

so...di you have a look??

 

[jennybugs]

Yes If you had more than one puffer in the tank I'd say get more plants in! As it is, the puffer would appreciate more to hunt through as it could get bored. Small tank or not, it needs to be entertained and kept interested else you'll find it will get bored start pacing and such

 

[razer121]

got it! i will update soon with some new pictures of him, he is a different puffer he has alot more colour and now does not have a suken in belly! im pretty sure my little guy does not have worms, now its time to start to fatten him up, how long do you think it should take before he starts to fatten up? he is fed every day except a sunday, he gets to eat around 5-10 bloodworms (and seems to be eating the dead ones which manage to get in aswell!) im pretty sure im going to be able to get him into his new home soon! just before i do that i want to change it a little bit first, what are good items to have in a puffers tank?? i want him to be as happy as he can be, thanks!

 

[jennybugs]

Glad to hear he's eating and fattening up. Don't try to fatten him up too fast. Just feed him once a day and not overly at that and he will slowly put on weight and stay healthy with it.
You're doing the right thing fattening him up in the tank on his own before moving him to the new section. You may find he goes off his food again from the move so you want him healthy before you do. Shame you can't keep him to his own tank really.

They like caves and stuff to explore which can be made with rocks and/or slate and you could even get him a coconut cave or such to lurk in when he wants quiet. Plants for him to swim through (and for the snails to crawl on) etc as well, although you don't need to cram loads in to break up lines of sight as he's not needing to worry about others in his territory

 

[razer121]

got it, i think i will nurse him back to helth then move him over, i would keep him in his own tank but i really need to break it down to make way for my marine tank, at least this way i can give his new home a decent overhaul before he gets in it

and here is a more recent picture of him before feeding time

 

[lilacamy931]

aw what a sweetie

 

[kiriyama]

DPs are cool, have enjoyed reading through this thread so far, will have a nosey in now and again for updates, cute fish, well done

 

[jennybugs]

Ahhh bless! It still needs to put on weight so I am glad you're going to get him good and healthy before moving

 

[soph_betta]

Ive been really interested in puffers for a long while now and been doing some swatting/Geeking up on them for a couple of days now as my lfs has started to stock dwarf puffs and figure8s! (though im liking/after the dwarfs)
Just wanna say how helpful this thread has been!!
Thanks both!!

Also hows the little guy/girl doing now?

And a few quick questions
1. how do you sex them? something about wrinkles around boys eyes is that right?
2. Could i keep a boy and a girl togther?
3. would 10g heaverly planted and holely rocks be big enough for two? and strong filter?
4. do they puff up as their name would suggest?
Any help would be great!
Thanks!

 

[jennybugs]

And a few quick questions
1. how do you sex them? something about wrinkles around boys eyes is that right?
Boys mainly have the eye wrinkles, but they are more or less unsexable until they are around 5 months +.
2. Could i keep a boy and a girl togther?
If the tank is heavily planted then yes, but as above, you'll be lucky to sex them if they're really small.
3. would 10g heaverly planted and holely rocks be big enough for two? and strong filter?
Yes.Either an oversized filter or a couple of smaller ones would be ok.
4. do they puff up as their name would suggest?
DPs have more of a 'keel' to them when threatened than puffing up vastly, but yes, they can puff up somewhat, but this is not a good thing as it means they are really scared and feel very threatened.
Any help would be great!
Thanks!

 

[razer121]

so i think my puffer is pretty happy now, he will take frozen food now to so thats a good thing! i also got the wormer and wormed him, that help out alot! he does have a slim belly still but no matter how much i try he wont fatten up lol. anyway he is now in his new home, he lives with a runnaway guppy...which has been with him since it was about a week old....odd that he has not shown any aggression to it? well either way i thought i would update on his little life so far

 

[jennybugs]

Glad he's doing well. Just keep and eye on the guppy for bite sized chunks out of his fins

I am in the middle of decision making about getting another puffer. I may go for a Toby marine puffer or (more likely now) a Congo puffer or other 'lurker'! SO excited