Freshwater Community Puffer?

Dwarf, Red Eye, South American & more. Freshwater puffer talk in here.
Post Reply
Major25
Puffer Fry
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Feb 02, 2010 1:31 pm
Gender: Male
My Puffers: None yet
Location (country): North Eastern USA

Freshwater Community Puffer?

Post by Major25 »

I have never owned a puffer before, and I don't know too much about them, but from what I've read it seems like most puffers are brackish, and maybe a little on the aggressive side. Is this true? Is there a good freshwater community puffer out there? I'd love to have one if there is, thanks for any input!
Top
User avatar
LilGreenPuffer
Former Staff Member
Posts: 5301
Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:26 pm
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Dwarf puffer - Thumbelina (only mine in my heart now; she lives in CT with my friend)

RIP Inigo Montoya, Fezzik, and Vizinni.
RIP James Bond.
Location (country): United States
Location: Kentucky

Re: Freshwater Community Puffer?

Post by LilGreenPuffer »

"A little on the aggressive side" is an understatement! Some of them absolutely must be kept alone, and with the others, it's iffy.

Brackish puffers are the smallest group - there are far more FW and marine puffers.

Here's a link to quite a few species. Take a look and see what you like. ug.php/v/PufferPedia/

What fish do you already have/are you already considering, and in what size tank?
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."

Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi

Image

Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!

I AM A DUDETTE!

NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Top
Major25
Puffer Fry
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Feb 02, 2010 1:31 pm
Gender: Male
My Puffers: None yet
Location (country): North Eastern USA

Re: Freshwater Community Puffer?

Post by Major25 »

The fish I have right now are two fancy guppies, one balloon molly, a platy and a high-fin lyretail in a 30 gallon tank. I think the addition of some kind of community dwarf puffer would be awesome, if it would get along well with the other tank mates. The PH of my tap water is kind of high, 7.8ish. Any suggestions?
Top
RTR
Mentor
Posts: 6155
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 4:39 pm
Gender: Male
Location (country): East Coast, USA

Re: Freshwater Community Puffer?

Post by RTR »

IMHO & IME, there is no such thing as a community puffer. Certain puffers may be kept with highly selected species of fish - which definitely does not include the live-bearers yous list -and even careful selection does not always work.

Puffers are basically carnivores. They eat mainly inverts, but a nice flowing tail or a tender youngster will not be turned down either. All puffer tankmates should be labeled "potential sushi."
Where's the fish? - Neptune
Top
User avatar
LilGreenPuffer
Former Staff Member
Posts: 5301
Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:26 pm
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Dwarf puffer - Thumbelina (only mine in my heart now; she lives in CT with my friend)

RIP Inigo Montoya, Fezzik, and Vizinni.
RIP James Bond.
Location (country): United States
Location: Kentucky

Re: Freshwater Community Puffer?

Post by LilGreenPuffer »

Yeah, I think you need to get a species tank, or at least a species-focused tank, if you want a puffer. It would be totally worth it, though! If you really want more than one type of fish in the tank, what about dwarf puffers and otocinclus catfish? I've never heard of that combo not working. I have my DPs with otos and a few ghost shrimp, and everyone gets along splendidly. DPs are one of the puffers RTR was talking about that can be kept with "selected species of fish."
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."

Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi

Image

Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!

I AM A DUDETTE!

NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Top
User avatar
Pufferpunk
Queen Admin
Posts: 32979
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Puffers I have kept:
T lineatus
T miurus
A modestus
T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
C lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles
Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
Location: Greenville, SC
Contact:
Contact Pufferpunk

Re: Freshwater Community Puffer?

Post by Pufferpunk »

Certainly not with fish that have pretty, long fins, like guppies.
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!"
Top
User avatar
LilGreenPuffer
Former Staff Member
Posts: 5301
Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:26 pm
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Dwarf puffer - Thumbelina (only mine in my heart now; she lives in CT with my friend)

RIP Inigo Montoya, Fezzik, and Vizinni.
RIP James Bond.
Location (country): United States
Location: Kentucky

Re: Freshwater Community Puffer?

Post by LilGreenPuffer »

Not only would they get nipped, but their long fins get very little circulation and are prone to infection in open wounds, like from nipping.
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."

Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi

Image

Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!

I AM A DUDETTE!

NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Freshwater Puffers”