The Puffer Forum

Hello,

I came to you because I have 5 Dwarf puffer and I found out a new little one, probably 2 months old.
But, since is not effraid anymore by the adults he is realy, realy aggressive with them ...
He swim a bit everywhere in the tank and when he came close to one he just jump on on bite, but sometimes he bites and he didn't let the other one go (he keeps bitting him, he holds him).
I've seen males doing little fight by just give each other like headbutt, but this time with the little one it's like, realy more violent !

The 2 dominated males got little marks on them now, cause of the repeated bites.

I would like to know if it's normal, and the little one will became more cool by growing up or if I should do something special.
I'm a bit stressed because I'm afraid that he would basically kill them by the repeated bites or with a bigger misplaced one ...

I would realy, realy appreciat if you can help me !!

Sorry for my english, it's not my native speach.

How large is your tank? Is it heavily decorated?

It's a 120 L, so a bit more than 31 gallon.
It's planted, so yes I guess it got many place for them to hide.

And also I give them food every day, frozen artemias and vase worms.
He eats every day with the adults so I don't think it can be because he's starvind or something like this.

Most puffers don't play well with others. For the most part, DPs can be friendly towards each other but only in good balance of M-F.

Ok, that's what I've taught.
I only have 1 female and 4 males, because I've got them from a rescue so I didn't have much choice.

So there is nothing I can realy do about his behaviour ?
I can only hope that he will became a bit more friendly with the time ?

Well then, there you go... It should be 1 male to 3 females or you will definitely have male on male aggression--sometimes fighting to the death. You're either going to have to set up a separate tank or find a home for the aggressor.

Such a shame, before the little was here everything was perfectly well, he's the one who makes the trouble ...

Do you think if I can find more females it would help to decrease his aggressivity ?
Even if we can't say for the moment if it's a male or a female ?

Your tank is already fully stocked. Can't you rehome the 1 puff?

I can't make another tank for him and where I leave it's quite hard to find people who can be able to offer him a good home (I'm in a small city).
I've watch him when I've give them food yesterday and I think he's less aggressive than he was, he keeps being like before only towards 1 male.
I've read that it could be because even at a young age the puffer fight the others ones to find their place in the hierarchy in the groupe, maybe it's this ? And when he will calm down when he will have find "his place" ?

It's also possible you have 2 males. They will fight to the death.
library/puffers-in-focus/sexing-carinot ... rf-puffer/

I got a new tank this afternoon !
It's a 8 gallon, I'm gonna plante it and in something like a month the little puffer will be in his own home.
Do you think he's gonna be ok like this ?

Perfect!

Ok, I'm reassured he and the others are gonna be ok !
But, the couple in the tank keep having spawning behavior, if there is another fry I really will not be able to have a 3rd tank for them.