Newbie in love with DPs

[_jake_]

Hey,

I'm a keen fish keeper, although not having an tank for about a year now. I was just 'browsing' an lfs (yeah right!) When I noticed the peculiar little guys and just fell in love! Within two days I purchased a 80Litre set-up for them! I'm currently cycling and waiting on arrival of some live plants. So leaving the tank for about a month to fully cycle and mature, I'm doing my research If some of ya could answer my questions it would be a huge help!!

1) Is 80L sufficient for say, 4 DPs?
2) I've read that room temp (in a central heated house) is an okay temp for them, true?
3)Is there ANY tank mates?
4) Guppy fry, a good treat?
5) Am I annoying you?

Thanks peeps!

[Pufferpunk]

1) Yes, perfect size. See: library/puffers-in-focus/sexing-carinot ... rf-puffer/
2) Try to keep a steady tropical temp, around 78 F.
3) A school of ottos, cherry shrimp & fast-moving fish, like danios.
4) Best not to feed them fish: library/feeding/feeding-your-puffers/
5) Not at all!

[xrayjeeper83]

1-4 what Pufferpunk said(her sn should be puffer goddess or something like that LOL)

5)If I havent annoyed them yet, those few questions wont do it

[_jake_]

Ahh thanks for that guys! Probably refreshing for some seeing an newbie researching though eh!

[pufferpuggirl]

Hi jake, nice to have you with us!

And what's not to love about dwarf puffers? They are like little pitbulls of the aquatic world, but with a HUGE personality. I'm still amazed that they are so small but yet so feisty with big character in a small package.
I love watching mine and I think you will get more enjoyment from having a small group than say having just one because they adopt a pecking order. I've got one rather small DP and despite his size, he is definitely the boss of the tank. Any other DP's that enter his domain and he comes out of nowhere to chase them off. Quite funny at times, although I do feel sorry for the other puffs sometimes. But there's never any violence, just chasing .... and I can accept that.

It is refreshing that you're actually researching before bringing them home, usually it's the other way around. Good for you! Can't wait to hear about them once you've got them in your tank. I would just give you this piece of advice .... try and plant as much as you possibly can, whether live or fake. Dwarf puffers need lots of plants and/or ornaments to break the line of sight, to keep aggression down. They are active little puffers and need a tank that keeps them busy.

Good luck!

[_jake_]

Thanks for the welcome pufferpuggirl! this forum is being a great help with my new venture into the world of puffers, they are just so darn cute! All your advice has been token on too, thanks!

[_jake_]

Well got an update for you guys! I have planted the tank and have made 3 'territories' which all consist of a bunch of plants and either a plant pot, coconut cave or this old ornament. Also I have left an area clear near the power head for exercise and have got some rocks, Chinese man and my very own clay tunnel I made in school LOL. I think it looks really good, I'll grab some photo's later

Cycling is near enough finished 0 ammonia, 0.2 nitrite and currently just have a nitrate bloom. Once that has all settled I plan to get some next weekend Also my tank isn't 80L, I picked up the 60L So I believe that is 15 (US) Gal, which I'm guessing would only be suitable for three DPs now?

[Aquarist]

Well got an update for you guys! I have planted the tank and have made 3 'territories' which all consist of a bunch of plants and either a plant pot, coconut cave or this old ornament. Also I have left an area clear near the power head for exercise and have got some rocks, Chinese man and my very own clay tunnel I made in school LOL. I think it looks really good, I'll grab some photo's later

Cycling is near enough finished 0 ammonia, 0.2 nitrite and currently just have a nitrate bloom. Once that has all settled I plan to get some next weekend Also my tank isn't 80L, I picked up the 60L So I believe that is 15 (US) Gal, which I'm guessing would only be suitable for three DPs now?

Yes. As a minimum you want 5g per puffer and I wouldnt go below that rule. 4 would be really pushing it. Still sounds like a nice setup with 3 though!

[Flutter]

You could do 4 but then you couldn't have any other fish in there at any point.

[Aquarist]

You could do 4 but then you couldn't have any other fish in there at any point.

Personally I would say hes pretty stocked with 3 in a 15g. But thats just me. I think the minimum for these guys is 5g/puffer.*Although I wouldnt put one alone in a 5g. Once I put these two comets in a pond or I upgrade my f8 one DP is getting a full 10g to itself.* I have never kept DPS so I cant say for certain. Just what I have read

[Flutter]

The rule is a minimum of 5gal for the first one and 3gal each from then on. Understocking is a great idea but 4 could still fit in that tank as long as it was very complex.

[_jake_]

Well I'll see what happens I think they have a offer of two for 7pounds.