puffer questions

[bugsy66]

I am wanting to turn my exisiting 5 gal into a puffer tank. Our local lfs has some very cute little dwarf puffers. They call them "dwarf neon puffers" if there is such a thing...

I used to have a brackish puffer tank before I turned that one into full salt water tank. These dwarf freshwater puffers are much more to what I want.

I have been reading that they still have that "puffer" attitude even for their small size.

What would you all recommend that I do with this 5 gal, get two puffers? Or can I just get one and add something else that would be "semi" compatible with this type of puffer? I say "semi" as you never know with puffers.....

These puffers are so teeny tiny I have never seen anything so small. They are about the size of an eraser on a pencil in length at the moment. Cute little guys though....

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.....bugsy

 

[Discomafia]

I just got my first dwarf puffer yesterday after months of research, and I was just about to type some out for you, but I see Sir M is reading this thread and has everything under control, so I'll hand you over to our resident pufferfish expert.

 

[SirMinion]

Dwarf puffers. One in a 5g and as long as it has good filtration you could add a bristlenose as well.

Never head them called dwarf neon puffers before, sounds like LFS rubbish to me invented to make them sound more exciting.

 

[Discomafia]

Never head them called dwarf neon puffers before, sounds like LFS rubbish to me invented to make them sound more exciting.

Neither did I, but that was the name the girl who caught it gave me. Of course, I knew better.... That's why it's always good to do some research before buying any fish.

 

[SirMinion]

I just got my first dwarf puffer yesterday after months of research, and I was just about to type some out for you, but I see Sir M is reading this thread and has everything under control, so I'll hand you over to our resident pufferfish expert.

You flatter me!

I'm hardly an expert, but I do take the time to research my subject and try to make informed statments about the fish I love.

 

[SirMinion]

That's why it's always good to do some research before buying any fish.

Wise words indeed.

 

[Discomafia]

You flatter me!

I'm hardly an expert, but I do take the time to research my subject and try to make informed statments about the fish I love.

But isn't the amount of research that you do equivalent to the amount of knowledge you have.... You and Lady M are the best people to ask for advice on puffers, I'm sure you know you have quite a reputation here in TTF land!

 

[bugsy66]

Will one puffer not be lonley by itself?

I have bred and kept many types of fish for over 20 years, I am by no means an expert but do know my stuff when it comes to "most" fish. Puffers are new to me, I really appreciate the help from people such as your self for giving me advise.

I don't think I would put a bristlenose in there. I have one in my 25 gal discus tank and to me they get a little big for a tiny 5 gal. They are the best "pleco type" of fish though, love their size....

What about an Otto? That to me would be a better size of fish for a 5 gal.

I see alot of you use sand, what type of sand are you using? White or Brown?

bugsy....

 

[SirMinion]

Will one puffer not be lonley by itself?

No, not a puffer, they are solitary fish and even Dwarfs who do OK in a 'swarm' will still be fine on their own.

I don't think I would put a bristlenose in there.....What about an Otto? That to me would be a better size of fish for a 5 gal.

In my experience, Ottos are too small & wriggly to be safe with dwarf puffers. We found out the hard way.

I see alot of you use sand, what type of sand are you using? White or Brown?

I believe that sand is a must for all puffers.
Some like to bury thenselves in it, some like to dig in it looking for hidden snails and I suspect that it's also beneficial in keeping the puffers teeth from overgrowing as they grind sand when picking food off the tank floor.

We have white sand in all but two of our tanks which have black sand.

 

[bugsy66]

SirMinion, thanks for all your replies...

If you don't mind I still have a few more questions...

How deep should the sand bed be?
Can I use a sponge filter with a sand bed?

I plan on keeping this little one in my 1 gal tank till it gets a bit bigger. They are so tiny I have never seen something this small. It would get lost in a 5 gal right now...

Thanks again for all your help...bugsy

 

[Puffer_freak]

Well, I can answer your questions, so I will! Lol.

1" - 1.5" is what I think I've seen somewhere
Yes, you can.

 

[SirMinion]

Well, I can answer your questions, so I will! Lol.

1" - 1.5" is what I think I've seen somewhere
Yes, you can.

 

[bugsy66]

Need your help here again all. Sorry....

Can I use Silica Sand? If so I am able to get # 2 grit and # 3 grit, which one?

Also do you know if Silica Sand is okay for cory cats and otto cats?

bugsy

 

[Puffer_freak]

Hey, no bother about the questions, at least your not just going out and buying one!

Yes, you can use silica sand for them, and I would personally go for the #2 grit, just to be on the safe side. Also, although I am no expert at all in the matter, I believe that yes, silica sand should be OK for all fish, including cories and ottos.

HTH, and I hope I got it right!

PS, thanks SirM for the confirmation