Talk me down - pea puffers

[On_a_dishy]

So my 34L is now fully cycled with a wonderful Betta in it, and 6 cherry shrimp, so I’m feeling invincible. That first white reading for nitrite - I’m not sure there’s a feeling like it.
I want another species-specific tank with pea puffers. Another 34L, 2 puffers, lots of plants.
My sensible husband is one problem. I’ll wait until he wants something and then ask for this as a compromise.
And the only thing that worries me about the puffers is their reliance on live food. But I’ve hatched brine shrimp before so I reckon I can cope with that.
What else do I need to know? I’ve researched and reckon I can fix every problem, so I need a reality check.

 

[connorlindeman]

The puffers will need live "pest" snails, not brine shrimp.

 

[sharkweek178]

The puffers will need live "pest" snails, not brine shrimp.

Which are pretty easy to breed. I'm turning into a prolific snail breeder without even trying.
I'm thinking of going pro.

 

[connorlindeman]

Which are pretty easy to breed. I'm turning into a prolific snail breeder without even trying.
I'm thinking of going pro.

Theres a market for that...

 

[gwand]

So my 34L is now fully cycled with a wonderful Betta in it, and 6 cherry shrimp, so I’m feeling invincible. That first white reading for nitrite - I’m not sure there’s a feeling like it.
I want another species-specific tank with pea puffers. Another 34L, 2 puffers, lots of plants.
My sensible husband is one problem. I’ll wait until he wants something and then ask for this as a compromise.
And the only thing that worries me about the puffers is their reliance on live food. But I’ve hatched brine shrimp before so I reckon I can cope with that.
What else do I need to know? I’ve researched and reckon I can fix every problem, so I need a reality check.

My betta ate two of my cherry shrimp

 

[On_a_dishy]

My betta ate two of my cherry shrimp

No! Mine is interested, and noses up against them, but so far that’s it…
Once he gets a taste, though…

 

[On_a_dishy]

The puffers will need live "pest" snails, not brine shrimp.

So could I put some snails in and let them go nuts breeding-wise? Or am I being hopelessly naive?

 

[gwand]

No! Mine is interested, and noses up against them, but so far that’s it…
Once he gets a taste, though…

I guess my shrimp were too young And small to add to the tank. Stupid me!!

 

[PewPewChris]

I love my pea puffer! I've got him in a 9 gallon cube tank with 6 chili rasbora's and a few cherry shrimp and he is living his best life! As for the snails, get a handful of ramshorn snails and give it a couple weeks, you'll have plenty of live food for your puffer

 

[sharkweek178]

So could I put some snails in and let them go nuts breeding-wise? Or am I being hopelessly naive?

I've never had a pea puffer. But I'd think you'd want to keep the snails in a separate tank so you can control how many the puffer consumes in a day.

 

[PewPewChris]

I've never had a pea puffer. But I'd think you'd want to keep the snails in a separate tank so you can control how many the puffer consumes in a day.

yes, I have ramshorn snails breeding in two of my other tanks

 

[On_a_dishy]

PewPew - how many snails do you give him a day? Do you give him the babies or let him chomp on an adult?

 

[Kyshiara]

If anyone wants ramshorns I have about 1 million xD it's so cool that you might be getting puffers! I am getting some soon in a 60l.

 

[kiko]

one of the best fish you can get with pea puffers are pure endlers..they're a bit smaller than guppies and pea puffers will keep their population numbers in check
they breed very easy...
don't expect shrimp to breed in a tank with puffers as they'll be hunted down...the same for female shrimp carrying eggs...you need places for them to hide
puffers also like to sleep in caves like those shrimp tube caves...so get some tubes like the triangle ones....in my tank puffers sleep up top and zebra plecos down at the bottom ones
I have 2 types of shrimp in my main tank..crystal blacks and fire red but I've never seen either species thrive...adults don't really get hunted...but you'll never see babies

 

[JenE1981]

Anyone mind sharing pics of your puffers homes so I can get ideas for my new lady puffer?