The Puffer Forum

DUMB question I just know it is...

What could I possibly keep with a dwarf puffer?

I was told (here-the authority) 3 puffers-1m2F in a 15 gallon. But is that it? I am a softy vegetarian-are their fish I could keep with DPF that wouldn't eat them? Because I couldn't take a chance-I'd be devastated if fish were harmed or eaten. Seriously.....-these fish have to have long happy lives So do y'all suggest a species tank with dpf only or something else in there with them?

[ps. love your 'not for beginner thread' totally x'd some fish for me !!! Good to know!]

If the tank is established and well-planted, Otocinclus catfish tend to be ignored by most DPs. They also do a great job on diatom algae if you have such in the tank, and are fair cleaners of soft green algae. But no fish or invert housed with any puffer is guaranteed - there are too many individual differences between fish.

+1 Maybe some shrimp but like RTR mentioned

no fish or invert housed with any puffer is guaranteed

I agree that nothing is guaranteed when you're dealing with puffers, but I've had pretty good luck keeping my dwarf puffers in my community tank where they are with lots of different fish. I don't think it's so much a matter of worrying about a fish eating your dwarf puffers, but rather your dwarf puffers biting and harassing the other fish.

I keep mine with four otocinclus cats and some ghost shrimp. Everyone ignores each other. I got lucky with the shrimp, though - it wasn't at all guaranteed to happen like that.

Thanks guys! I decided to go with a species tank-and just two instead of three-as I don't want to overstock Just got them last night and have already witnessed them on the hunt (my tank was infested with baby snails) -very cool!