The Puffer Forum

I am setting up a 40 breeder in the next couple months and am interested in keeping dwarf puffers. I have no experience with puffers at all. I've been doing some basic research, but one thing I am having difficulty finding a solid answer to is stocking guidelines for dwarf puffers. I know the info sheet on this site says 5 gal minimum, however I am wondering what the recommended number for a 40 breeder (heavily planted) would be? Does sex of the fish matter?

I'm not necessarily looking to fully stock the tank, I'm actually a big fan of understocking in general, but just wanted to get some basic guidelines from those of you who are experienced.

Any guidance would be helpful

You could go as tight as 3-4g ea but 5g is the recommended stocking guideline, as is a heavily-planted tank. I am keeping 3 (2f/1m), in a 10g.

Okay, so a max of 8 for a 40 gallon? (probably wouldn't want that many, but good to know)

I am seeing the best ratio is 1 male to 3 females right?
Can you keep just females, or do they need a male in the mix?

Also, are Indian Dwarf puffers the same as Dwarf puffers? (seems their scientific names are slightly different?)

Dwarf puffers are dwarf puffers, I think it's a regional thing with the names. All females will do just great, maybe even preferable not to have an aggro male. 5g each, so yeah 8 would be best. Welcome to the forum, good on you for researching prior to purchase

Under-stocking is perhaps the best way to set and operate tanks. IMHO & IME I would not put more than one male in a tank with a smaller footprint than a 40-long (12x48"). and that would have to be rather densely planted.

DPs have been kept and even bred in much smaller tanks, but they can and will fight. That can be to level of damage or death.

The minimum number of gallons for 1 puffer is five, but if your keeping more than 1 puffer I would go for 10 gallons for each male puffer and 5 gallons for each female puffer. I hope this helped!