The Puffer Forum

Ok, so I have done my research, and have decided on pea puffers as the new inhabitants for my small 3 gallon guppy breeder tank. It has been over run by pond snails (a bonus for the puffers!) And I am done breeding guppies. There will be no other fish in this tank, the tank has been established and all water parameters have been perfect for 6 months. I just have a few questions...
1. Would it be ok to have two of them? A male and female is what I am wanting to get, not because I want fry necessarily, but more because I would love to have two, and I know that when you have two males, the tend to not like each other so much when they get older.
2. I know snails are good for them to hunt, and things like blackworm, bloodworm, and brine shrimp are a main diet source, but I know other species of fish enjoy the occasional veggie (I.e. cucumber, lettuce, etc) Do puffers? Would it benefit them in any way?
3. I know that when a puffer actually puffs, its REALLY bad for them, and may kill them, and know with larger species of puffer there are ways to burp them to rapidly get them to normal size faster... is there a method for dwarf puffers? (Just in case... )
4. I know that dwarf puffers are territorial kings of the tank, so in a two part question, what broad leaf plants should I get (that dont require CO2 or special lighting) for them to rest on/play in, and would they get along with cory cats or a pleco? Something that would help keep the tank a little cleaner...
5. I've seen mixed reviews on whether they should have sand or not. I know they don't have scales, and larger ones like to burrow, but id like to know what I should have; sand or gravel, to make them the happiest they can be.

Thank you in advance for your help!!!

1. No just 1.
2.my puffers eat peas.
3. Puffers practice puff, not harmful as they do it in a controlled way, never heard of a dp needing burping.
4. Anubias
5. Either or.
6. Welcome to the forum

1. It is possible to keep one DP ina 3, but not easy and I would never recommend it myself.

2. Live Califoria blackworms are the staple for my DPs, plus live snails. A 3 gallon tank is too small to breed snails and to house a DP IMHO.

3. It is not really bad for puffers to puff up on their own. As bertie stated, it is normal behavior, but not often observed. It is dangerous to force a puffer to puff by taking them out of the water into the air. It can be difficult for them to spit out all of the air. Never remove a puffer from the water.

4.A. Anubias nana, as bertie said.
4.B. Absolutely not. There are no plecos suited to tiny tanks. Cory cats are equally inappropriate and would be harassed to death even in larger tanks.

5. As bertie said, substrate choice is yours. DPs do not burrow or dig.

Tiny tanks are far more laborious than larger tanks. Puffers live for years. Reduce your own labor and enrich your pet's life by opting for a larger tank.

I've got lots of extra anubias, if you're near Chicago.
library/puffers-in-focus/dwarfpuffercare/
library/puffers-in-focus/sexing-carinot ... rf-puffer/

I'd definitely recommend at least a ten gallon, because it'd be easier for you to take care of really, then you can get two DPs, as well. 10 gallons are really easy to come across too. You can find them at yard sales, and on places like craigslist (cheap too).

Just keep researching everything, because there's tons to learn about puffer. Welcome to the forum. =] Good luck on your project!

Thank you so much everyone! For now, I will only get one. I have been looking for a cheap 10 or 20 gallon tank, but it seems that everyone around here thinks that even the used ones are made of gold I will have him/her as the sole inhabitant of this tank until I can upgrade! Unfortunately, I dont live near Chicago, I'm close to.Seattle, but thank you so much for the offer! None of the pet stores around here carry black worms. Only frozen or dried blood worms and brine shrimp. And as far as not having the snails already in the tank with him/her, the snails have already infested the tank is there a way to get the hoards of moving boogers out? And if I start a breeder tank, will they do ok in a small betta tank, or do they need heater, filter, 9 yards?

One Dp in 3 Gallon is not ideal, more space is better; 5 gallon. I guess you know about frequent water changes??

Not heard of veggies for DP. Your snails will need constant removal as they get eaten. Dps seem to bite the snail and then swim off leaving a rotten mess so constant tidying up is essential.

DPs puff with stress. A sole fish should not get too much stress so no worries. If it does Puff then probably best left quiet to recover.

Fine leaf plants are very good and Wisteria ( needs higher light) is great for DPs to sleep in. There's no room for a clean up crew so keeping the water clean and light levels are key to keeping a clean tank. I have had MTS snails as a clean up crew. These nocturnal snails need light levels to increase naturally in the morning so they can hide before your DP gets up in the morning.
If you have more space and a mature, clean tank then Nerites seem to be working well. My DP is a snail killer and can't get at these snails as the shell keeps them safe.
I have previously bought baby Ancistrus and sell them on when at 2 inches but that was one DP and one Ancistrus in 10 Gallons. I have heard DPs can bite the eyes of Plecs, my DP didn't and things were great in the tank.
Otos are the only other fish but they need to be in groups of 4 or more plus they are tricky to get going.

Mine has sand and gravel for the plants to root in to.

Good luck!!