Scary moment today

[Bufo Bill]

This evening there was a really scary moment with my Dwarf Puffers when I was sitting by the tank. They were swimming around looking for food as usual. The slightly larger puffer, Sanjay, was up towards the top of the tank, while my other puffer (Gupta), was down near the bottom. Suddenly Gupta flew across the tank, catching Sanjay completely unaware, and bit his stomach. Sanjay was so suprised he inflated (the first time I had seen either fish do this), but Gupta hung on for a few seconds before letting go. I was so suprised I froze! They had both stopped growing some time ago, so I wondered if maybe these puffers take a while to mature? There was no injury as far as I could see, but it was very scary all the same.
Regards, Bill.

[Myaj]

I do think it takes puffers quite a bit to become sexually mature, and at that time people often report agression changes. Puffers that allowed tankmates to live with them for a long time suddenly turn and kill them. I suppose how long that takes depends on how they were raised, etc, lots of different things.

How large of a tank is it? I've never seen my dwarf puffers actually bite each other, but they had plenty of room to have their own territories.

[Bufo Bill]

Thanks for taking an interest. The tank is the bare minimum-6 UK gallons. However it is very densely planted with various hiding places. If there is any more trouble I may buy a new tank for "the Chaps". Does anyone have any size suggestions? Please bear in mind space is very limited, before anyone suggests something bigger than my room!

Many thanks from Bill.

[Phaedrus]

A good idea for territory is about 5 US gallons per DP with lots of distinct territorial areas.

[Myaj]

A ten gallon would probably be just fine.. but do you know if you have two males? It may be if you have two males that they just won't leave each other alone, no matter what you do.

[Steelgeek]

I have 10 DPs in a 29 gallon, heavily planted, and have had good luck with them, including seeing 2 of them mate, though nothing came of it.

However, at feeding time, they have been known to spat, not often, but it does happen.

[Bufo Bill]

Thanks so much for your replies everyone. They do seem to be two males. They both have a dark line running down their bellies from their chins. I think a ten gal might be the answer, if I can find room ( small room + lots of animals + furniture = cramped room, lol ). Otherwise I may try and build a shelving system for all my tanks (if the walls are suitable, the house is very old). If that can't happen then I may have to give one of the puffers up.

Thanks everyone, from Bill.