The Puffer Forum

Hi, I'm sure I'm useless and I'm looking in the wrong places but I can't find the answers to my many-a-question. Could some1 please direct me to the answers. I am replacing my 3 platies in a 10 gallon tank with a Puffer hopefully. My platies have multiplied and I now have 14 fish with no signs off slowing which is not practical in a small tank. I have homes for my adults and fry and I'm wondering if a puffer would be ok for my tank, I dont want to make another mistake like I did with my lovely platies. I have read that otocinclus are possible to home with a puffer, (my tank grows a lot of algea) would it be possible for my tank to house 3 otocinclus and a single dwarf puffer?
Any pointers in the right direction would be appriciated.
Hope your all having a fab Christmas

you are correct you could get 1 male and possibly 1 female in that tank, but I would suggest 1 male only.

Thank you. That is good news! The more I read about them the more I want one. what about the oto or should I go to an otocinclus forum? . My tank is about 4mnths old now and I am used to doing weekly water changes, my platies are so messy, I have read that puffers are just as messy, my question is, is it right that I should do 50% water change each week? (that sounds alot) and is my tank ready (cycled enough) once my platies are re-homed in a few days? Is it ok to ask questions here? I have never been a member of a forum befor and am not sure of house rules ( I have read the rules)

Its touch and go with ottos. They are difficult to keep long term especially with a puffer nipping at them relentlessly

viewtopic.php?f=68&t=29296

Pufferpunk wrote:
viewtopic.php?f=68&t=29296

That is what I wanted to read, thank you.
I am now wondering after reading PUFFERPUNKS advice, wether I should just carry on manualy removing algea and forget about the otos and consentrate on the puffer and plants...confused Folkestone.
I already feel guilty having to give up my platies due to my ignorance and want to make the right choice 2nd time around. I have a 10 gallon tank.
Cheers

itsonlyme wrote:

Pufferpunk wrote:
viewtopic.php?f=68&t=29296

That is what I wanted to read, thank you.
I am now wondering after reading PUFFERPUNKS advice, wether I should just carry on manualy removing algea and forget about the otos and consentrate on the puffer and plants...confused Folkestone.
I already feel guilty having to give up my platies due to my ignorance and want to make the right choice 2nd time around. I have a 10 gallon tank.
Cheers

Whoops BERTIE 83 advise on otos not PUFFERPUNKS

There's great info on both species you are researching, in that link I gave you.

Pufferpunk wrote:There's great info on both species you are researching, in that link I gave you.

Thank you it was usefull reading and makes me think that I can have both but the recent comment by the other forum friend makes me waver

Trust our articles here.

most of what you read here is written with blood, sweat and tears. It is not re-hashed and not 2nd hand. These are real owners and scientists giving you their best advice.


BTW... what is the "other forum" ?

J-P wrote:most of what you read here is written with blood, sweat and tears. It is not re-hashed and not 2nd hand. These are real owners and scientists giving you their best advice.


BTW... what is the "other forum" ?

Hi,
This forum, the 3rd comment after my initial post.

I do not get forums, I cant find all the answers to my questions and I have spent hours over weeks reading, I'm sure u pro's r bored with all the questions. But I was told "go to a forum they will help u out". The fish shops dont know the answers and googling contradicts itself, whats a girl got to do?????????????????????????

Just post your questions & all here are happy to answer them .

Any questions will be answered for you, the members here have masses of experience. I have not had any success with ottos, maybe not enough real algae in my tanks, however when I housed them with my puffers they always got eaten or killed by continuous nipping.