New To To Tropical Fish Keeping (Dwarf Puffer)

[nurglespuss]

Although I'm not an advocate of big fish in small tanks, 5gal is the tank size given by most good books, provided the tank isn't boring and you keep an eye on water quality its fine to keep a single puffer in 5Gal.

 

[ZoddyZod]

I've read the 5gal size elsewhere......but as you say, they need a tank that isn't 'boring'. I simply don't see how you can put enough in a 5gal to satisfy them.

 

[Antony]

let's go back to the beginning here. Are you proposing to keep a dwarf puffer in a 20L?

If so I'm afraid the tank is far too small. They are highly inquisitive, active and waste producing fish. I would say nothing smaller than a 60L is suitable.

the only fish suitable for 5gal is a betta.

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj_ZmqFux0A&feature=related

enough to satisfy your thoughts on lack of entertainment?....that there is a 10l nano with 8 dwarfs.... i belive they seem happy enough so twice the tank size and only one puffer seems just a little overload in comparisson ?

 

[Antony]

by the way if you haven't owned or dont own a dwarf puffer ...DONT THINK YOU CAN CRITICISE OR FILL PEOPLE WITH CRAP U READ ON WIKKI

JUST A THOUGHT

 

[ZoddyZod]

but you are basing the notion on keeping them in a 5gal by.......reading things on the internet.

what exactly is the difference?

comparing what appears to be some form of micro rasbora, maybe even fry of some kind judging by the vidwo, to a dwarf puffer isn't really a fair comparison.

 

[Greg_DS]

A dwarf puffer is 2.5cm fully grown, 1 in a 20 litre would be fine.

 

[Kelly-Jo]

I have a puffer tank which is currently cycling and I'm more worried about the fact that the 20l isn't cycled. You cant put her in until it is as she will die. They are not a hardy fish. Return her and buy another when you are ready to add one to the 20l.

Please dont be rude when people are just trying to assist you. We aren't trying to upset you. Fish are a real Passion for some members on here and we just care for the fishes welfare.

 

[minnnt]

Why didn't you do this much research before you brought it? That way you would know that they are very nippy fish, hence why the do better in a species tank. The reason she has calmed down is because he belly is full of fish fins. When she gets hungry again she is going to carry on doing it.

The 20 litre tank will be better for her, but 40 or 50 would be a better option long term. If 'her' tank has guppies in it atm then the media will probably be ok to support 1 messy puffer. You will have to be very strict with water changes though. At least 50% a week would be advised.

 

[Antony]

The things i trust off the internet are checked 4 comparison against several other sites The difference is this is MYpuffer and only i can be responsible for the advice and info i follow.

also if you followed the link and read the description it clearly states that they are dwarf puffers ...and only half the size of mine at that.

To put things simply i am asking for advice based on your own personal experience not something copied and pasted nor do i want to know anything along the lines of what your Aunt's friends sister called Mavis's dog did , Just nice and simply what you did when you had one or what your doing with yours atm thank you very much .

Still need to know any brands for a simple api test kit ??

 

[Kelly-Jo]

That's what we've tried to give you. I have just told you that I have experience with Dwarf Puffers but you don't want to take it? I think the problem is that you want us to tell you that you're doing everything right not that we don't have experience. We aren't copying and pasting things off the internet. Many people on this forum are very knowledgeable in this area.

API is a brand of test kit.

 

[Antony]

I have a puffer tank which is currently cycling and I'm more worried about the fact that the 20l isn't cycled. You cant put her in until it is as she will die. They are not a hardy fish. Return her and buy another when you are ready to add one to the 20l.

Please dont be rude when people are just trying to assist you. We aren't trying to upset you. Fish are a real Passion for some members on here and we just care for the fishes welfare.

As i said previously returning her is not an option due to the fact that she was practically floating in the tank when i bought her (which by the way contained one already dead puffer and around 20 others alive nipped to hell, no gravel ,no plants ,no filter and even more so the tank temp was 20*).
This was infact a last ditch attempt at saving her which is now turning out to be just about as much trouble as shes worth not to mention the cost's mounting up already but it would be hitting triple figures before i gave up ,which wont happen.

one thing that seems to be appearing alott on sites is that they are a clean fish but messy eaters

 

[Antony]

That's what we've tried to give you. I have just told you that I have experience with Dwarf Puffers but you don't want to take it? I think the problem is that you want us to tell you that you're doing everything right not that we don't have experience. We aren't copying and pasting things off the internet. Many people on this forum are very knowledgeable in this area.

API is a brand of test kit.

btw your advice is fine the only thing i'm not agreeing with is the whole returning her buisness ...for you thats like taking a fish back to walmart ...exactly

is there any links to a pic of your puffer tank or something of the sort ? i wouldn't mind checking it out for a bit of a rough guide

ahh i thought i'd seen a make called api earlier

 

[Kelly-Jo]

Are you sure you can keep her in a better condition than the shop? Do you know of anyone else that could take her from you?

In future, don't buy fish just because they are being nipped or look ill. 9 times out of 10 people do this and can't provide better conditions for the fish themselves.

If you really can't find another member on here for example who is willing to take her off your hands, then you need to make sure your tank is properly cycled. Do a test and post your readings on here. Then add some media from your other tank into the filter of the 20L to help with processing ammonia if your filter isn't already cycled. You will need to keep her alone in the 20L and make sure there are plenty of plants, hiding places and things to stimulate her. Dwarf puffers are extremely intelligent fish and need to be kept entertained or they can get stressed and ill very quickly. You need to perform frequent water changes to ensure that the water quality stays at it's optimum. I'd recommend 50% every other day to begin with, maybe more if you have any ammonia issues.

 

[Antony]

A dwarf puffer is 2.5cm fully grown, 1 in a 20 litre would be fine.

from what i read and have been told on my numerous trips to pet stores today thats spot on although the term they used is
"it wont get bigger than an inch" *(this wasnt the same jockey or the same store for that matter that sold me her)*

perfect post thanks

 

[Kelly-Jo]

[/quote]

is there any links to a pic of your puffer tank or something of the sort ? i wouldn't mind checking it out for a bit of a rough guide

ahh i thought i'd seen a make called api earlier
[/quote]


I'm having a tank re-shuffle at the minute. The community fish are moving from this tank to a larger one, the puffers are going in the current community tank which will be a species only tank and the 30L is going to be home to a breeding pair of scarlet badis.

The tank they will be going in next week looks like this now but with more stones and some caves.