Body Count: 2 - Dwarf Puffer Extremely Aggressive

[ogknotorious]

I purchased 3 dwarf puffers 3 weeks ago. They are in a 20 long (species only) with a large piece of spider wood and decently planted. At the store, the three were swimming together so I took them home. 1 week later the smallest one was getting chased and eventually stopped eating and passed. The other two swam together for the next week. Last night I noticed the fin on one was nipped. I rearranged decorations and woke up this morning to see the other fin nipped. He/she passed just now. The aggressor is dark in color, although no other visible male traits. I went out to LFS and purchased two other puffers who are lighter in color and has some small spots, although they are still too young to positively sex. The aggressor was curious at first, chased a tiny bit but now seems disinterested. He is now going around biting off the antennas of the ~10 ramshorns I have in the tank.

My question is: Should I try and bring him into the LFS for another, or continue observing?

[Pufferpunk]

That's totally your choice.

[ogknotorious]

Thanks for the reply...this is normal behavior though? To nip both fins and ultimately kill the other? As well as initially getting along to aggressive?

[Pufferpunk]

Yes but make sure that tank is large enough for each to retreat from the other & lote of broken lines of sight.