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Huffpuff
Puffer Fry
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2014 6:53 am
Location (country): United Kingdom

New to puffers

Post by Huffpuff »

Hi everybody!

I have just stumbled across a smallish tank, and it seems that my dreams may be graspable.
I can at last consider for the first time a species freshwater puffer set up.
However, I want to do it right, hence have come here.
I have some 12 years of experience with other species but no puffers, ranging from koi to corydoras to mollies and so on.
I would be incredibly greatful if anybody had any hints and tips,

Huffpuff :D
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Pufferpunk
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Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Filbert, the 12" T lineatus
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Mongo, the 4" A modestus
2 T biocellatus
C valentini
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Also kept:
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Re: New to puffers

Post by Pufferpunk »

[welcome]
How large is this tank?
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
Huffpuff
Puffer Fry
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Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2014 6:53 am
Location (country): United Kingdom

Re: New to puffers

Post by Huffpuff »

The tank holds approximately 50l, but I think I should be able to combat pollutant buildup as I have all the time in the world - being a a student and all.
This is also the reason why I can't get a bigger tank at the moment :/
I knew that I wouldn't be able to get anything like a fahaka or a mbu, but I was wondering if it was possible to get anything beside pigmies.
Of course retail has the best advice - recommending I go for 6 green-spotted straight away...
And that's turning an eye on the fact that they were "freshwater".

As an aside - is it likely that it would be possible to keep snails inside with them, or wouldn't they reproduce fast enough?
Either way, I would keep up a back-up container for extra ones.
Also - which snails would you guys recommend?
Huffpuff
Puffer Fry
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2014 6:53 am
Location (country): United Kingdom

Re: New to puffers

Post by Huffpuff »

Hi again

It is approximately 50l.
I am not sure which ones are suited though even if a species tank.
Especially as retailers are telling me to cram the tank with them.
Call me old-fashioned - but for a start, green-spotted are not fully freshwater!
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Pufferpunk
Queen Admin
Posts: 32764
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Filbert, the 12" T lineatus
Punkster, the 4" red T miurus
Mongo, the 4" A modestus
2 T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
Also kept:
lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles
Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Re: New to puffers

Post by Pufferpunk »

That's only a little over 10g. Best bet is to keep 2-3 DPs in there:
library/puffers-in-focus/dwarfpuffercare/
library/puffers-in-focus/sexing-carinot ... rf-puffer/
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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bertie 83
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My Puffers: lineatus R.I.P, South American puffer. Valentini puffer, porcupine puffer.
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Harlequins, CAE's, Yoyo
Loaches, Clown loaches ,Eels, various shrimp, tangs,wrasses, damsels, chromis
Location (country): Brighton, England
Location: brighton , england

Re: New to puffers

Post by bertie 83 »

Welcome to the forum. Dwarf puffers would be your best bet.
It's amazing how easy maintenance is. If done regularly and thoroughly
Huffpuff
Puffer Fry
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Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2014 6:53 am
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Re: New to puffers

Post by Huffpuff »

Thanks Pufferpunk and bertie 83 for your help - its appreciated!
So pigmy puffers would be the way to go - as for the possibility of making a community tank...
Am I right in assuming that it isn't to be trusted to any real extent?
Also - there would be too much bioload, right?
Also - which plants would you guys recommend?

As an aside - it says that I should take female heavy ratio.
However, I would not be able to tell before they reach maturity.
Should I get juveniles or adults, and where should I purchase from in the UK?

Thanks again - all your help is appreciated!
Tracy
Puffer Fry
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My Puffers: Pea puffers
Location (country): Canada

Re: New to puffers

Post by Tracy »

I just recently re-set up a 10 gallon tank and stocked it up with pea puffers. It's said you need at least 5 gallons per puffer, BUT I got 4 of mine from one pet store and one from a different store and all 5 of mine have been fine in a 10 gallon. Also, the rule of puffers is one male to every 2 females. If you have more males then females, the males will end up killing the females. Make sure you have tons of hiding places. Pea puffers are like betas, some will be ok in a community tank, and some won't. You could probably get one puffer and get things like tetras, something that can swim faster then the puffers. Anything with pretty, Long fins won't make it, the puffers will attack it. As for plants, as long as you have the proper light, anything will work. All my plants have lots of big leaves and are planted close together to provide A place to hide. My favourites are the java fern and Amazon sword. I hope this helps, good luck ! :)
Stratters
Green Spotted Puffer
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Re: New to puffers

Post by Stratters »

Why would you deliberately overcrowd them though, why not just stick with 2-3? :shock:
Never trust big puffers. The fingers you save may be your own. RTR
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BedScien
Green Spotted Puffer
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My Puffers: Green Spotted Puffer (marine, 100L / 26 US GAL)
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Re: New to puffers

Post by BedScien »

If you just recently started up that pea puffer tank then maybe its a fair bit early to say that it is fine
mblahahahaha mmmyeessss

'It's true because I read it on the internet' - Everyone
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bertie 83
Moderator
Posts: 5298
Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2011 4:28 pm
Gender: Male
My Puffers: lineatus R.I.P, South American puffer. Valentini puffer, porcupine puffer.
Non puffer
Danios, Tetras, Redtail Rasporas,
Harlequins, CAE's, Yoyo
Loaches, Clown loaches ,Eels, various shrimp, tangs,wrasses, damsels, chromis
Location (country): Brighton, England
Location: brighton , england

Re: New to puffers

Post by bertie 83 »

If you have too many males in a small space they will kill each other, and poss the females or anything. Nothing no matter how fast is safe with dps, they are pure aggression. 5 dps in a 10 g is a recipe for disaster both with bio-load and aggression. They need territories, even more so with age. I have had success mixing dps with other species but would never try it again
It's amazing how easy maintenance is. If done regularly and thoroughly
RTR
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Re: New to puffers

Post by RTR »

+1 to Bertie's comments above, and general agreement with the other warnings. Five DPs in an ~10 gallon tank is absurd. Even with dense planting it is doomed to be a battleground, even if well-established biofilters are in use.

Puffers are not guppies - when crowded they try to eliminate the excess competition, and generally succeed. Small size does not translate to passive fish in this fish family.
Where's the fish? - Neptune
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