Dwarf Puffer Compatablility

[bertie 83]

I again have to disagree, I found no long term luck with tetras, rasporas or danios even with massive decor and my most placid dp. Once they get the taste they can't get enough, fins must taste delicious lol

[Puffer King]

well you most have some feisty dps ! .....I've been sucessful keeping mine ( 1 male and 1 female ) , in with lots of other fish , only aggression shown is the odd ' domestics ' they have between each other ! lol

[jeromecarlyoung]

My DP's appetite depended on how much there was to eat. If she was full, she was placid, if she was hungry then she'd nip anything. I tried to get her to eat frozen, she refused, got thin and the Ramshorn and MTS snails she once ignored were all suddenly on the menu and she cleared out and ate all the cleaning staff; great! Once bitten these snails were always for the eating. Even if full, she would pick off one or two snails for fun. Darn stubborn Puffer!

-Jerry

[bertie 83]

I can only talk long term. I have had short term success with many fish. It always ended in tears tho. The only long term success was with cichlids. I would not recommend this tho. Success is living forever together. I can't encourage this as short term is easy, long term is impossible. Anyone who recommends this is just silly, or just does not wish to believe that something alive will suffer in the process. Do not add a predator to a mixed tank. I have been trying for about 6 years to find a tankmate for dps, none is the outcome. Which is why a species tank is recommended. Do not mix these as it WILL end in tears

[Puffer King]

Cichlids is the one thing i wouldn't put them with for obvious reasons ! . If your tanks well thought out and of a large size with plenty of plants , decor etc , then it is indeed possible as I have learnt first hand with great success over the years . If unsure about mixing your dp's , then i would indeed say follow the text book and keep to a species only set up .

[bertie 83]

They were ram cichlids, I should have said that lol, no monsters. I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this one lol

[Puffer King]

Yes sometimes theres not a right or wrong , just a difference of opinion lol

[RTR]

No, predators and prey are not fine together. In the wild predators and prey do co-exist, but in water volume levels which are not possible in hobby scale tanks. I do strongly agree that co-housing them in the same tank is poor practice and can never be optimum housing for either side of that equation.

[Puffer King]

No, predators and prey are not fine together. In the wild predators and prey do co-exist, but in water volume levels which are not possible in hobby scale tanks. I do strongly agree that co-housing them in the same tank is poor practice and can never be optimum housing for either side of that equation.

Obviously wild predators and prey do co-exist in the wild . In aquaria one can only mimic a fishs wild enviroment to a very miniscule degree , there certainly arent glass boundaries in the wild . Situations can be created in aquaria that would never otherwise be possible . And thats not to say that is wrong or a right . If you can create an environment in your aquaria where your subjects are peacefully co-habitting then that is good .

[RTR]

Predators and prey in the same highly limited water volume and swimming space is IMHO & IME, never good or stable.

That is why refugia and/or circulating ranges were developed.

[Puffer King]

predators and prey is very open ended , obviously there are many situations of incompatibility .....there are many factors to take into consideration , and a degree of trial and error ,before finding compatibility and even that can vary with individual fishs personas and set up , tank size etc. But thats not to say it is impossible as it can be done as i have experienced personally .

[Puffer King]

For instance , certain people manage to keep even a fahaka with tank mates .......but with mine that would be a no brainer ....only meals that swim would enter her territory !

[bertie 83]

I am one who has a fahaka with friends. He went insane when I removed them, so they live back together now. I am certain it won't last and would never recommend it tho,

[PolishPuff]

I am one who has a fahaka with friends. He went insane when I removed them, so they live back together now. I am certain it won't last and would never recommend it tho,

I dont think you are the only one

[Puffer King]

I am one who has a fahaka with friends. He went insane when I removed them, so they live back together now. I am certain it won't last and would never recommend it tho,

cool , what ' friends ' dare to swim with him ?? lol