The Puffer Forum

Bullet (my male dwarf puffer) is starting to show ventral breeding lines. I've got 2 females with him but one has a bade case of ich. Anyways what do I do for preparation for dwarf puffers breeding?

If one of your fish has a disease, or a sign of disease you should separate them until you know for sure and can treat it. That should probably be a priority over breeding. Ive lost 2 fish to Ich and currently have a clown in quarantine for it.

As far as breeding I have no idea, but it sounds exciting.

What medication do you prefer? $$$

What do you mean by "ventral breeding lines"? If you mean that the spots have started to form a stripe on each side, that's not related to breeding. It's just a feature that they develop as they approach sexual maturity. Same goes for the belly stripe. Does it look like this (top puffer)?

He looks like the one in the front. He's got the side stripe and a belly stripe. Isn't it when they get thick and dark is when they're going to breed? I JUST noticed the belly stripe.

Nope, they're just signs that your boy is growing up. Think of it as getting peach fuzz on your chin.

Oh. Awww. He's not my little boy any more. HE'S A MAN!!!

That he is. Woohoo! Look for all of the markings in the picture I posted. Does he have the eye crinkles yet?

No. No crinkles. He's hasn't been aggressive yet either.

My females were always more aggressive than the males *sigh*

Don't use medications with puffers with ich, they do much better if you do the heat/salt treatment (see article in the library)

Thanks Myaj. Read it. Its just not working too well...

Since your puffer isn't actually showing signs of breeding, just maturity & your real problem is with their ich, I'm going to lock this topic, so we can get on with the other topic of yours in the Hospital forum.