Puffer Questions

[Rudy2860]

I have a 55 g tank that has afew corys, blue ram, bolivian ram, 5 danios and 2 plecs and i was wondering what out of this list was good tank mates for puffers ?

also i was wondering what would be a good set up for a puff tank , i was thinking dwarf but its such a big tank for their small size that i might be able to do another type of puffer that might get a bit bigger and have a bit less of them, although i do like the cute size of dwarfs.

I will more than likely donate the danios to a friends tank and the rams will be moved due to the fin nipping habits that puffers can have

but my question is mainly geared toward a clean up crew for the puffers and what would be potential types of puffers and what numbers will do well in such a tank set up.

 

[Lithril]

About the only tank mates I can see there which won't get a hammering are the plecos. In a tank that size you could quite easily keep 6 or so South American Puffers or about 12 Dwarfs as long as you've got lots of caves and plants for cover. Personally I wouldn't risk any of the other fish in the tank though.

 

[Rudy2860]

Hmm, i've heard of others keeping dwarfs with corys.

And would 12 dwarfs work with a tank that size? i dont want too much fighting over territories but 12 of them should would be interesting to watch

 

[Rudy2860]

Ps, the tank already has many caves and it is well planted
i plan to add more and try to break up the lines of sights as to give the tank more territories


oh i was reading and someone mentioned something about bubblebee gobies being decent tnak mates, woudl that be possible with this tank set up?

 

[diVer]

12 puffers should be OK in a 55 gallon, as long as you have lots of caves, plants, and other stuff. With bumblebee gobies you have to make sure they're freshwater and not brackish. I think brackish have stripes that go all the way around and freshwater stripes stop somewhere near the stomach. It might be the other way around though.

 

[Rudy2860]

I dont think i would go for 12 dwarf puffs probably 6-9 of them maybe less to keep agression down.

Has anyone noticed that the more space and the less the puffers the more they will pack? Most people that i've read about keep them in a 20 or less gallon tank but i'm sure someone can account for a larger tank.

edit: and i think i'll pass on the gobies and stick with 6-9 dwarfs, 4 corys, some ghost shrimp (friend or food will probably be determined by the puffs! ) and 2 plecs, not sure on the plecs yet either due to the their high waste

suggestions?
tank will be switched over to sand substrate for cleanliness, well planted, pieces of drift wood and pots, rocks, etc for caves and hidey holes

 

[jread]

I dont think i would go for 12 dwarf puffs probably 6-9 of them maybe less to keep agression down.

Has anyone noticed that the more space and the less the puffers the more they will pack? Most people that i've read about keep them in a 20 or less gallon tank but i'm sure someone can account for a larger tank.

edit: and i think i'll pass on the gobies and stick with 6-9 dwarfs, 4 corys, some ghost shrimp (friend or food will probably be determined by the puffs! ) and 2 plecs, not sure on the plecs yet either due to the their high waste

suggestions?
tank will be switched over to sand substrate for cleanliness, well planted, pieces of drift wood and pots, rocks, etc for caves and hidey holes

Wow, those dwarves aren't going to know what to do in a tank that size! I wouldn't think you would have too many aggression problems with 12 or so in such a large tank.

As far as cories go, I've also heard that people have success keeping them with dwarves.

You are right about the shrimp... only the puffers will give you the answer to that I keep amano shrimp with mine, but others will tear a shrimp to pieces. It's really a 50/50 gamble.

Good luck with your tank and please post some pics when you get it up and running