Worried about DPs not getting along..

[antelope]

I've had 4 Dwarf puffers for about 4 months now, they are in a heavily planted 20 gallon long with no CO2. I've got an Aquaclear 50 running and everything is fully cycled, just to get that out of the way. So, when I went to the lfs in February to get them, I'm pretty sure I got 2 males and 2 females, luckily the person getting them into the bag could tell better than me which was which. I still have no real idea if I am right and am using the similarities between one set and the other to sex them, basically. The 'girls' are more spotted and more brightly colored black/dark brown and yellow, while the males are more dilute colored with stripes on them. Could be wrong, wouldn't be surprised.

So, since they've been in the tank, I've noticed that the 2 females and larger male all sort of shoal together. The other male kind of hangs out by himself and only comes out for feedings. The females have become more aggressive over the last few weeks. I'm worried that the three of them will gang up on my teeny puff, who, as the name suggests is a bit smaller than everyone else, and hurt him. Right now, they only seem to get kind of mean when they're eating, but I worry that it may eventually escalate.
I'd like to not have that happen and am thinking of getting the little fella his own tank. But I also worry that removing him will cause unnecessary problems. Anyone have experience with puffers suddenly not getting along?

[RTR]

The tank is too small for two males when females are present. Remove the underdog to another tank or trade him off. The dominant male will never leave him alone.

You could set a 10 or 15 or another 20-lomg immediately adjacent to the existing tank and the males can display at each other without damage. You could even get the underdog a couple of females.

[antelope]

Thanks! Ok, what size tank should I get just him, then? I've always read 5 gallons minimum and was looking at an 8 gallon cube for him.

[RTR]

The five gallon figure is absolute rock bottom minimum for life and health. I would use a ten gallon to simplify your life and upkeep. Remember, the larger the tank for any given fish load, the easier the upkeep and the more stable the water conditions. I do try very hard not to shoot myself in the foot. Easy upkeep tends to get done, massive chores get put off until they are issues. At least that seems to be the way it works for me.

HTH

[purplecandle]

You probably come out cheaper getting a ten gallon kit! You'll probably have to buy heater. But I swear it is far more easy to clean!

[RTR]

Yup, agree w/purplecandle again. Easy gets done on schedule w/o thought if the routine is simple. Heavy chores get put off... Part of the learning process in fish-keeping is learning your own work habits. The things you can and will do w/o much thought are the paths to select.

[antelope]

Oh I definitely learned my work habits with my first betta tanks, it turns out I don't enjoy emptying small containers of water constantly. I got an 8 gallon cube for the little fella and after rinsing the flourite enough, he'll have his own little place. Thanks for your help, there's a lot of contradictory information about them and dwarfpuffers got taken down before I heard of it.