supposing i was to devote my 60g...

[pica_nuttalli]

...to dwarf puffers, how many do you think i could successfully keep? its a 48"x12"x24" tank, so its more tall than wide. but dps are also supposed to have more squishable territories when kept in larger tanks...

going by the 1 dp to 3g: 20 puffers

going by the 1 dp to 5g: 12 puffers

going by 1 dp to 100 sq in: ~6 puffers
(i just made this rule up based on the thought that 10"x10"x12" is a 5g and most territorial critters care more about floorspace than ceilings )

so what do people think?

 

[Erised]

I personally wouldn't put more than 10 dps in a 60G, preferable less. I tried keeping 3 in a heavily planted 15G tank, and well, it didn't work out. I think it really does depend on whether you get lucky or not as well. But just to be on the save side, I'd 'understock' the puffer rules and go for about 8 myself

 

[andywg]

If the 60 is heavily planted then I'd say that once you are past the 25 gallon mark you can bend the 5 gallon per puffer rule as (like any shoal) there are more fish to spread aggression.

And don't forget feeder river shrimp. They are the best DP tank-mate: cheap, they clean up and you don't care if the puffer eats them.