Pea/Dwarf Puffer Shoaling?

[aquachris]

I see some people on a puffer group I'm on in FB say that pea puffers are shoaling type of fish and should not be kept alone but with a group of 6 (still they seem to hold the more female to male ratio).

Curious on everyone else's thoughts. I have 2 that are super buddies and stick together all the time.

 

[wishuponafish]

They do swim in huge shoals in the wild, but in an aquarium setting they don't seem to "shut down" like some schooling fish do when they're kept alone or in small numbers.

 

[DoraCory]

I started off with 3 dwarf puffers in a species only tank. 2 males and 1 female. You can't sex them when you get them from the LFS, they're just too young a majority of the time. They were happy enough in that situation to breed for me, so now I have 5 in there.

I can't say I've witnessed an increase or decrease in any aggression in there with the extra 2 puffers. Sometimes they hang out together, sometimes they're individually off exploring and sometimes they're chasing each other about.

 

[BlackOsprey]

I think they do just fine either way. I'd imagine being in a small group would help keep them stimulated, but of course, that would require a larger species-only tank, lots of hiding spots and sight breaks, and a backup plan in case they end up too aggressive. My single pea puffer is still extremely inquisitive and active.