Dwarf Puffer fights!

Steelgeek · Post by **Steelgeek** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 7:20 pm

So my dp tank is a 29g, heavily planted, with 10 dps, 2 males, 8 females.
I've watched 2 matings amongst them, though nothing came of it.

However, I do notice them fighting occasionaly, and its not the males, its the females that do it. One will grab another and shake them til they puff, then let them go. There are a few bite marks, but no serious scarring or fin nipping.

Has anyone else noticed this in their tanks? It seems kinda like establishing a pecking order, but I don't know how a DP community establishes itself.

What do people think?

Phaedrus · Post by **Phaedrus** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 7:25 pm

I think it may be a little crowded in there. As they mature and grow, they will be trying to establish their territories, and there may not be enough to go around.

I think a 55g would solve your problem.

strike2 · Post by **strike2** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 7:29 pm

Phaedrus wrote:I think it may be a little crowded in there. As they mature and grow, they will be trying to establish their territories, and there may not be enough to go around.

I think a 55g would solve your problem.

Agreed.

Steelgeek · Post by **Steelgeek** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 10:11 pm

So I kinda have to laugh.
When I made the tank, conventional wisdom for dps was 2-3g ea. Now its 5, huh?

Well, a different tank isn't an option at this time. Thanks for your opinion, but I was really more interested in other peoples experience with their DPs behaviors.

Hachi · Post by **Hachi** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 10:48 pm

Generally, it is 3gal per DP. However, a 29gal doesn't have a very big 'footprint'.. For example, it's basically a 20gal long, footprint wise. It's just a bit taller. So it might be a bit crowded in there for them and that's why there's aggression. I had 3 Dp's in a 10gal, which fits the rule of 3gal fine, but there was still nipping, especially at feeding time. And I think I have 2 males, one female. I couldn't tell the difference when I bought them. Now that they're in a 20gal high, they never fight or nip, even at feeding time. Maybe they'll establish an order and stop fighting with each other but maybe they won't. Lack of space is still the reason they are aggressive towards each other.

Steelgeek · Post by **Steelgeek** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 11:44 pm

Ok let me rephrase the question.

Has anyone else who's kept or is keeping a decent sized dwarf puffer only tank noticed similar "politics" amongst their fish?

Keep in mind this tank is over a year old, as are the fish, and I have observed mating amongst them.

Actually that might be the answer now that I think about it. It might be the one female defending the spawn area.

Phaedrus · Post by **Phaedrus** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 12:06 am

2-3g was an old ball park, and has since been revised after further experiences and observation to more accurately reflect their requirements. Your situation kind of hints at why. Sexual maturity brings with it increased teritoriality. Footprint definately makes a difference.

If the aggression continues or worsens you know what it can lead to. If a new tank isn't an option, maybe rearranging the decore might keep them busy for the time being.

Post by **RTR** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 1:37 am

I am a space nut. i have opersted DPs at 1 per 3 gal and it worked, but it seemed too close quarters to me. I am much happier with 5 in my 29 (all males) - but I know that I can do either.

Rocker · Post by **Rocker** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 2:44 am

We do have min requirements but yes DP's will fight whatever size tank you have. The bigger the better and the more decorated as you know will help reduce this.
I have 11 now in a 75g and yes the occasionally fight but I believe there is enough room for one to escape. They will only chase for small distances.
If your are exhibiting courtship then obviously they have matured. Again as you know this is when aggression increases.
My belief is that they become more aggressive as they have to find and define a territory to lay their eggs. The female will often chase out the weaker ones once she finds a suitable spot to lay. Once is is ready then you have the males fighting over her.
Again the aggression is increase as they will now defend their eggs. JME and JMO.

Boxermom · Post by **Boxermom** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 9:28 am

I have no experience, as I have two males in a 10g, but I have heard others talk about fighting between their females while the males sit back and watch tv. Females can be just as aggressive as males, sometimes more so, I've been told.

Steelgeek · Post by **Steelgeek** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 10:13 am

Sounds about right Rocker.

We've probably all seen aggression in an overcrowded tank, where a few fish will sit in a a small area and be attacked whenever they leave it, or harassed constantly.

This isn't like that. The spats happen with days or even weeks between them, which led me to believe it was a different type of behavior.

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