Hello from New York

[peepers]

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Hello All, I'm Jesse have been looking around for info on starting my puffer tank and most of the places I go point me to here, I will be starting a 20g long puffer tank and was just wondering if i can get some tips or suggestions, thank you in advance. BTW I will post a picture of the tank I will be using the fish that are in there now are only for the purpose of cycling.

[Terrance]

Hello.
Test your water regularly and do necessary water changes to keep those fishes alive (even if they are used for cycling). Let us know if you have any specific questions.

[G S P Freak]

Hello! Welcome, you came to the right place. There are many experienced people here who can help you with your questions. For your tank I'd say the choices for puffers would be 1 red eye red tail puffer, 1 figure eight puffer + a few bumblee bee gobies, or 4 dwarf puffers - 1 male 3 females. Also what filtration are you using? It's recommended to over-filtrate for puffers, as they're very messy fish. Filtration rated for a tank twice the size you have is ideal. Remember that filtration is never a substitute for water changes though. Btw your tank looks a little barren, all puffers are inquisitive fish that require complex environments to explore, so consider adding lots of decor and fake/live plants! Be aware that a F8 puffers tank would require brackish tolerant plants.
here's some reading material that may be useful.
library/tnk-mgr/waterfiltration/
library/puffers-in-focus/dwarfpuffercare/
ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Freshwater/C_Irrub ... 18244a2f2a
library/puffers-in-focus/fig8/

[peepers]

Thank you for such a fast reply, I do 25% water changes every weekend is that enough for now? also in the tank I plan on using black sand and also adding more plants also thinking about a cave, I have an Aqueon 20gl filter now, my main question is may I just get one dwarf puffer or would it be best to get 2?

[Terrance]

While cycling, enough water changes to keep ammonia and nitrIte below detectable levels. This means you will test your water frequently. When you are no longer able to detect ammonia or nitrIte, then your tank is done cycling.

When you get your DP, do 50% water changes every week until it becomes a habit. 1 would be super happy in that tank. Although these puffers do not like having friends, 2 is doable. Create complex environment that blocks views from one side of the tank to the other side. This helps alleviate aggression.

[G S P Freak]

1 would be doable, but they only get 1" max, so your tank would look very empty lol! Dwarf puffers generally play well with only 1 male present, and lots of broken lines of site/hiding places and plants. Also yes, a 50% water change is recommended, puffers are scaleless and therefore much more sensitive to contaminants then other fish.

[peepers]

Thank you very much, I will start now with the 50% changes and friday I will purchase the sand, plants and some sort of cave. I will post pictures of it friday when I am done. hopefully I can get my DP's saturday if the water is right, not in a rush tho the local country max here always has them in stock. BTW would it be ok to do 2 females or is it best to go with the 2 females 1 male combo...promise that is my last question until I do my setup....lol

[Pufferpunk]

As long ad you're in the middle of your cycle & changing out the substrate anyway, I suggest bringing back those fish & doing a much faster, more humane, fishless cycle: library/water-filtration/fishless-cycling/

[G S P Freak]

Thank you very much, I will start now with the 50% changes and friday I will purchase the sand, plants and some sort of cave. I will post pictures of it friday when I am done. hopefully I can get my DP's saturday if the water is right, not in a rush tho the local country max here always has them in stock. BTW would it be ok to do 2 females or is it best to go with the 2 females 1 male combo...promise that is my last question until I do my setup....lol

+1 to PP
Yes 2 females would be ok, it's the males that are usually troublesome. They fight for tail during the breeding time (pun intended). Most lfs don't have mature fish, and DPs can only be identified by sex when they are adults. If you're lucky and they are adults, just try not to get more then 1 male and you should be ok. 2 females wold be great if you don't plan on baby DPs, as DPs are known to mate quite readily compared to most puffers.
library/puffers-in-focus/sexing-carinot ... rf-puffer/

[peepers]

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Here it is........ I just put peepers in his tank today, there was another one the lfs gave me for free named poopers, poopers will not eat, was already treated for everything, the owner at the lfs said that the healthy one will not go too far away from the sick one and even kept other fish away from it....well I have just the two alone in a 20g long and sure enough the good one just stays close to the sick one only leaving to look around once in a while.

[sgtmyers88]

That one in the first picture is most likely a male. DP's are 3g per additional puffer. If you do manage to find 2-3 females to add to this pair you will be set!

[peepers]

thanks, thats what im thinking but the store that I got those from wont get anymore until next friday and they said they wont know what kind would come.

[sgtmyers88]

All the stores around where I live tell me they are out of season.

[peepers]

I was having the same problems around here but I found a place called country max they are wonderful and I can speak for the one here these people really care and know what they are talking about