dlaub64

Would a dwarf puffer be ok in a 10g tank, with sand as a substrate.

Also, are there any special precautions that should be taken with them, and what kindof fish are suitable. Ive tried googling it a few times, but I could really find the answers Im looking for...maybe im just bad at google...

If there are any cool catfish that would go with it that would be great, but if none are really small enough for a 10g, that Im not going to be too worried. I know that with a 10g im pretty limited, and I dont want to overstock.

capekate

Well since our expert puffer keeper has gone on vacation lol.. she warned us to not let anyone try to keep a Puffer in a 10g tank... lol...
So I am passing along the warning. Also they prefer brackish water and not very happy in a freshwater tank. Im no expert on puffers and hopefully someone will come along and give you the best advice on this.

dlaub64

I can do brackish water, so that wont be a problem, thanks for the help so far.

I did find some info regarding water peramiters. I think I can do it, Ill maintain my tank to those peramiters after cycling, and if it seems stable enough ill look more into it. But any other advice would be extremely helpfull.

jamesg1993

I though that dwarf puffers were small freshwater fish and can be kept in a 10g?

dlaub64

Ok well, the dwarf puffer is still sortof just in the back of my mind, but a question I have is how many different kinds of tetras can I fit in a 10g tank. And what veriety of tetras would be suitable.

I wont have any rock figures, just a few plants, to keep room for swimming.

Also I read somewhere that tetras like water currents, and I have one power head that can be set to a really low GPH, and it has a swiveling head. Is this true that they would enjoy it? Or would I be better off leaving it out?

capekate

The dwarf puffer from what I have heard can be in a freshwater tank but I think they need to be in a brackish water when they mature.
The green spotted puffer on the other hand needs brackish water.
The puffers generally need at least 2-3 gallons of water per fish. They can be aggressive if kept in cramped quarters.
They should also always be kept in a species only tank as they will be aggressive towards other fish. It seems that some folks have had success in keeping Oto's in with them tho.
They also need hiding places and caves should be a must when keeping Puffers.

capekate

You can keep a small school of tetras in your tank. I would think that possibly keeping 6 Cardinal tetras, or 8 neons would be nice along with a few Oto fish.

ALSO: on the water current, I have to laugh every time I watch my cardinals. It seems that they like to swim through it as a group, like some kind of amusement park ride lol... I can just hear them saying 'weeeeee' as they glide and get pushed along with the current, then they all turn around and do it again. It is really a funny scene to watch.

dlaub64

thanks that sounds awesome...I think thats what I will go for, of course I am getting ahead of myself, I cant do anything till after christmas =P

capekate

Just make sure that your tank is really cycled before adding the fish, as both the cardinal tetras and the Oto's are sensitive to any water toxicity.

dlaub64

Of course.

Another question...Would I be better off just getting 6-8 of one type of tetra, or would getting 2 or 3 OF 2 or 3 different kinds of tetras. Will different tetras school together, or will they end up doing their own thing or fighting. IM speaking generally of course, because some fish do really have different personalities.
I do like neon tetras, but I think if I could get a wider veriety of color, that would be sweet.

capekate

Since you are putting the fish in the ten gal tank, personally I would not try to add three different types of tetras in there if only for the lack of room and the possible resulting aggressive issues. I would use the Neons since they do have great coloring, and you can also check out the black neon tetras which I also had at one time and I really liked them. Another possibility to check out are glowlight tetras. They only grow to max size of 1.5 inches and are also peaceful fish.
All of them do best in a school tho and so I would if it were my tank go with only two species and five of each. So there are a few more ideas of fish you can research and see what you think.

Red1313

I think the puffer idea has kinda been abandoned but they're actually completely freshwater fish. No brackish is needed for them ever. Just thought I'd mention that.
(Sorry Kate)
I think that it's the GSP/ figure 8 that starts lightly brackish and ends up needing almost marine levels.

capekate

Hi Red, there seems to be disputed reports over brackish or not. I agree tho the GSP needs brackish water. The dwarf puffer I have read does take the freshwater but other reports I have read, that some folks use a slightly brackish water when they mature. Since I do not have them, but only know from what I have read on them in many different sites I can not base the information on personal experience.

dlaub64

if I added 2 types of tetra's, 5 each. Would that leave any room for cleaner fish?

I dont know what kind of cleanup crew I should get, and if I get mainly bottom feeders, I dont know if it will affect the swimming room needed for the tetras.

capekate

A tank really does not need 'cleaner' fish IMO. Keeping the tank clean with routine vacuuming of the gravel works. If you experience the diatoms which is the brown algae (not really true algae) that new tanks get, then it would help to pick up some oto fish which love to eat that stuff. Other than that, Im afraid you are limiting yourself to how many fish you can keep in a ten gal tank. Any way that you can upgrade to a 20g? Then you would have much more options to choose from.

dlaub64

I am not so sure about upgrading to a 20 gallon tank. see really what im planning is to clean up the stuff I already have. If I were to upgrade to a 20 gallon tank, I would buy one fore 20 bucks or however much it is, with nothing in it. Then I would end up using the stock 10 gallon filter on it, and I would have to lay the light across the hood because I dont want to pay 40 bucks for a new hood. Then I might have problems with fish jumping out of the tank.

capekate

There are places like, Craigslist online or the classifieds, thrift stores, town papers where you may find a 20g very cheaply at some point down the road. I find that 20g are pretty readily available second hand. But I do understand.I would not want to have to try to find the equipment separtely, it would end up costing a lot of money. But cheaper to find the whole set up, which is what folks add when they are trying to get rid of their tanks.
What size is the filter that you already have? Maybe it will fit a 20g? Just some suggestions, you would be surprised to see these tanks selling for 25-30 dollars with hood, lights and filters, heaters etc in the ads.

Lucy

PFP has advised that Dwarf puffers are freshwater and Green spotted are brackish.
Here's a care sheet she wrote up:

General Guide to Puffer Care

dlaub64

OK well, after reading alot more on dwarf puffers, I think im convinced they are for me.

Of course im going to cycle the tank, keep track of the parameters, and since this is reverting from a pathetic saltwater aquarium attempt, Im going to see if I can keep some gold fish alive in it first =P

wont be till january till I try to get some puffers

Plecolover12

Well, I would google it. It might help but I think some type of puffers can survive in it. I also have a ten gallon with a blue gourami.

CHoffman

Dwarf puffers are the cutest. They require specialised care. so if your up to it I think it would be a great fish to have.

dlaub64

I need more info on feeding puffers. This ive definatly tried googling it and found absoultely nothing.

Ive never had to feed a carnivorous fish. All I hear is feed them worms and snails. I dont know how I feed a fish a worm...or even if my LFS sells worms...I would assume they do.

And as for snails, do I just keep a bunch of snails in my tank, and the puffer eats them whenever, or do I have to give it a snail every feeding time.

and what kindof crustaceans, should I get those 10cent cleaner shrimp and let it pick em off, or do I need to buy them dead

griffin

you can feed them worms by using a dropper. i used to suck a few worms into the dropper, and the puffer would come to the dropper and eat the worms out of the dropper. they usually prefer live worms, but if frozen is all you can get, then they'll have to do.

as for the snails, i kept them separately because the puffer will kill all the snails pretty quickly even if it doesn't eat them all at once. you probably want to use pond snails - usually easy to get free from pet stores (look in the plant tanks). a large tupperware container (dollar store kind) is fine, just change out the water every few days (depending on how big the container is, how many snails, and how much you feed).

you can also buy the shrimp, but it's not really essential and usually causes problems since a dwarf puffer won't usually eat an entire shrimp at once, so you have to find all the leftover pieces and take them out later on or your water will go bad pretty fast.

hope that helped! dwarf puffers are really small fish with large personalities