6 Dwarf Puffs in a Pirate Tank

[Pufftastic]

Hi! I'm new to puffers but not new to keeping fish (I've had fancy goldfish for many years). But I've been bitten by the puffer bug, and wanted to share my new buddies. I researched and decided freshwater was the way for me to go (keeping DPs is remarkably similar to keeping fancy goldfish so far -- they're both incredibly messy and need tons of filtration and large water changes). Dwarf puffers seemed like they'd be a perfect intro to the world of puffs.

My favorite LFS had 5 of the little buggers, which I thought would be perfect for my 29 gallon tank. When the owner was bagging them, she found a sixth scrawny little puffer hidden inside a cave. I just couldn't leave him there alone, so I said I'd take him too.

Being told to go nuts decorating a tank was like a dream come true. With goldfish, it's all about maximum swimming space. But for these puffs, I really let the kitschiness fly -- went with a full-on pirate theme with sunken ship (full of caves and hiding spots!), air-driven skeleton steering a ship's wheel, fearsome skull rock formation with hidey holes, and a couple of cichlid caves. Add garish gravel, fake plants and a bubble wand, and voila! The most wonderfully tacky tank imaginable. I'm pretty thrilled with it.

My six puffers are doing well so far. They're busy investigating their tank all the time (although when they see me watching, they beg for food). They're eating well and even gobbled some bloodworms on their very first day. I'm currently feeding them twice a day because of the skinny little guy (and a couple of the others look kind of scrawny, too, but are filling out nicely).

My fave is Scurvy, the largest of the group. I'm pretty sure he's a male -- he has a bright yellow belly and what I think are the beginning of some wrinkles behind his eyes.


Scurvy


I think I'm seeing wrinkles here, yes?


One of the other 5.


The Pirate Puffer Tank. YAARRRRRRR!


Skinny little guy. He eats well and is active, so I hope he makes it.


Just chillin'.


I really look forward to being a member of this forum -- I've learned so much already and am spending way too much time on here reading. Is it wrong that I already have a long list of puffers I MUST have in my lifetime?

[Pufferpunk]

Great new family you have there! Yes, I see the wrinkles too. Thanks for the great macro shots.

[Flutter]

They could probably use a good deworming too, especially the little one as many come with IPs. There's some articles in the library.

Congratulations on the new additions!

[LilGreenPuffer]

+1 on wrinkles and deworming.

Lovely fish! And I love the theme! You might want to add some extra plants and such to keep them occupied and prevent territory disputes, but it's looking great.

[Pufferpunk]

What is that black pipe on the top left of the tank? Can a puffer get sucked into it?

[Pufftastic]

That's the filter outflow. The tank has a Rena XP2 canister (300 gph), and that's the jet nozzle. I was worried that there would be too much current for the DPs, but they really seem to like it.

Thanks for all the kind words on my pics! I love having a place to share them.

More plants? Really? This uberdecorating is going to take some getting used to. Well, good excuse to hit the LFS!

[Pufferpunk]

OK, good--I was hoping the flow was out, not in.

[Flutter]

Definitely more plants. You can still see the fish and the back of the tank

[pufferpuggirl]

I love those close-ups of your puffers, and you've got blueys too! (Love them blueys).

[L!$A]

ARRR me matey ur tank looks grreat! haha
& Cute close-ups!!

[J-P]

Some of those should be in the next PTOM!!

[Brandon8521]

+1