armadillo

Hi everyone. We're shorlisting species for our next 10G and dwarf puffers seem to be a finalist contenders. Interested in your thoughts if you've had any experience with the following.

Will they be OK with 1 male, 3 females? Or will they get really aggressive with each other
Won't they mind that our tank is a hex (hence lots of vertical swimming, but not so roomy horizontally)
Would they attack otos?
Would they attack upside down catfish?
Would they attack dwarf african frogs?
Would they attack cherry or ghost shrimp?

They seem really intelligent fish, and full of personality. Can't wait!

lolagurl

in my opinion it is a pure gamble on their personalities...they're like dogs all different... ifor instance i know mine is so gentle that i could put a guppy in there and he wouldnt do a thing to it. i would try it out...but just make sure you can return fish if they are getting picked on...my dp was getting picked on which is why i got him...study the fish tank you can usually see their personalities come through right away. like you should be able to see the aggressive ones...and the nicer ones that are just going along their merry way... but it depends..i heard people say for sure your dp will eat thge ghost shrimp for dinner...but mine is definetly not like that. i love their little eyes though always turning to look at you...they really are smart and definetly wont dissapoint you in the entertainment factor. and i wouldnt worry about never seeing them..mine is always rushing up tot he front of the tank when he sees me coming. good luck and happy hunting!

armadillo

So yours doesnt' seem lonely being the only puffer?

lolagurl

no especially mine because he got picke don i think... though dps arent schooling fish so they dont care to be with their kind. and is supposingly true they'd rather be one their own.. they apparently get aggressive when they're older also so its said not to introduce new species like say when they dps are a yr old..so try to figure out what will work for your dp earlier in life. i personally havent had any problems with mine..they are really easy to care for like any molly or guppy would be

armadillo

How old is yours? Would he be an adult already now?

lolagurl

about 2 months -3 months. no i dont think they stop growing till 6 months. when are you planning to get ur fish?

armadillo

I think in about a month. We'd need to cycle the hex tank first I think as my boyfriend doens't like the current gravel. But I'd like to weigh our options and stuff as it can be a little tricky to get a good choice of fish here in The Netherlands, so nice to get it sorted in advance. I definitely think we'll go for at least a dwarf puffer. From all I've read about it, it sounds like a great character.

The reason I asked for his age is I wonder if he perhaps isn't completely mature, in which case he may just still become territorial. The thing is, you're my only real-life source of info on dwarf puffers, so you're makign and breakign my best practice rules!

lolagurl

you really really got to sign up at dwarfpuffers.com...they have tons of experience... so you can use that you know temporarily just to get more puffer research... it will help..i was the same as you..kinda lazy to start on a new site..but its super helpful..and people always get back to you

armadillo

Thanks, LolaGurl. I think I will. It feels like betrayal!

COBettaCouple

the fish aliens don't like betrayal! <grrrr!> lol.. i understand how you feel, but i don't think anyone's going to fault you for wanting all the info that you can find.. and hey, bring some of them over here with you.

armadillo

Well guys, I did it. I created an account on DP.com. Don't worry, I will do my main business here! Do you know it's the only other forum am a member of? Surely that's worth something?

COBettaCouple

! Thou shalt be shunned now, outcast! beist thou happy i shalt now lobbeth the holy hand grenade of antioch at thee. :P

armadillo

Bonochick

I need to stay out of this forum, it makes me want a dwarf puffer tank!!! :P

armadillo

Me too! I can't wait until we get those puffers. I am having such a great fish time at the moment. I am actually allowed to day-dream about bettas AND puffers, and it's going to happen really soon (2 weeks!!!).

Bonochick

Lucky! You'll have to post pics here.

ecnaj143

I hate puffers!!!

armadillo

Oh really? Why's that? Is it the territorial thing?