Which FW puffer is right for me?

[Sink Colin Sink]

I'm currently fishless cycling a 20 gallon long, and I definitely know that I want a puffer. I've narrowed to down to 3 Dwarf Puffers, or 1 True Red Eye Red Tail puffer

Dwarf Puffers
PROS:
Readily available locally
Can keep more in tank
Otos as tankmates
Don't NEED snails in their diet to trim beak

CONS:
Very small
Hard to get to eat frozen foods
Most have internal parasites (I already have Gel-Tek medicine on hand)


True Red Eye Red Tail
PROS:
Larger than dwarfs, wont be 'boring' as some people call the way smaller dwarf puffers
Much better looking(IMO)
Easier to feed frozen foods

CONS:
I would have to order one off of the internet
I've read that they absolutely need snails in their diet, and I don't want to start snail breeding


All help is greatly appreciated!

[Boxermom]

Actually DPs aren't hard at all to train to eat frozen food. Its pretty easy really. And as far as the IP issue, I think there's a higher rate of IPs when you get them at places like big box pet stores but not as much when they come from quality LFSes.

As far as the red eyes, I wouldn't buy any off the internet unless you have a picture of the exact fish they are going to send you. I haven't seen any reputable online places that have them for sale either.

[Apocalyptictoast]

I dont wanna sink!

[Sink Colin Sink]

Will aquariumfish.net send me an exact picture?

Apocalyptictoast: Haha, is your name Colin?

[Apocalyptictoast]

Yep. Haha. I saw that and thought "Huh?"

[Boxermom]

Will aquariumfish.net send me an exact picture?

Not a clue. I'm guessing if they send you a pic, it may or may not actually be the one you get.

Edit: I wouldn't buy from them, they don't seem to know much about puffers. http://aquariumfish.net/catalog_pages/b ... t.htm#top2

[Dinsdale]

Aquariumfish will not send you a pic.

Dwarf Puffers are great. No problems getting them to eat frozen bloodworms! They are small compared to most other puffers, but they have huge personalities! In a 20g you could have 4 dwarf puffers, but only 1 red eye.

[Sink Colin Sink]

I'm really torn now. I think the main thing driving me towards the Red Eye is the thought of having a "wet pet" ie: a very personable fish. Any opinions on whether or not Red Eye's absolutely need snails in their diet? I've heard some things that say they don't need any, and others say they absolutely do need them. Is there much difference in terms of how to care for the fish between a common red eye and a true red eye?

[Boxermom]

Care is basically the same. Lortetis do not play well with others though, while irrubescos sometimes do. All puffers, IMNSHO, are "wet pets" by your definition. Even my lurkers who don't move around much. You couldn't pack more personality into a dwarf puffer.

I'd say yes for the snails, too, regardless of puffer species.

[Rocker]

I'm currently fishless cycling a 20 gallon long, and I definitely know that I want a puffer. I've narrowed to down to 3 Dwarf Puffers, or 1 True Red Eye Red Tail puffer

Dwarf Puffers
PROS:
Readily available locally
Can keep more in tank
Otos as tankmates
Don't NEED snails in their diet to trim beak

CONS:
Very small
Hard to get to eat frozen foods
Most have internal parasites (I already have Gel-Tek medicine on hand)


True Red Eye Red Tail
PROS:
Larger than dwarfs, wont be 'boring' as some people call the way smaller dwarf puffers
Much better looking(IMO)
Easier to feed frozen foods

CONS:
I would have to order one off of the internet
I've read that they absolutely need snails in their diet, and I don't want to start snail breeding


All help is greatly appreciated!

Dp's do need snails or something to help with their teeth.
They are easy to get to eat frozen foods.
Very few IME have IP's
You may find that the red tail puffer will hide away most of the time so that might be considered boring.

[Dinsdale]

I'd like to emphasize again how great dwarf puffers are. I think they are perfect for a 20 gallon. I have 6 right now in a 30g long, and they all have very distint personalities. Even when people meet them for the first time, they are amazed at the way they interact with them.

I definitely wouldn't want to go through the trouble of ordering a red eye off the net when there are DPs readily available nearby.