The Puffer Forum

I bought a fish today at my local aquarium store and was told it is an Indian Dwarf puffer. After doing some more research online, I think it looks quite a bit different than the other dwarf puffers I saw. I don't have then means to take care of a fish much bigger than it already is (about an inch long), so I'm nervous that this is a different species than what they told me at the store. Please help me identify it.

(Sorry if there is something wrong with my post. I've never posted on a forum before.)

I hope he really isn't swimming upside-down?
ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Brackish/T_Nigroviridis/
library/puffers-in-focus/an-introductio ... d-puffers/

Oh no, he isn't. He seems to be very healthy. Sorry about that. I didn't realize the photo had uploaded upside down.

Then you've got bigger problems.

If you don't have room for an indian dwarf you won't have room for that guy for sure. I suggest you print the page about GPS that Pufferpunk linked to and bring it to the pet store you got him from, as well as return or re-home this fish. He needs a large tank and brackish water. I think its important you let the pet store know that this fish was misidentified even if you don't return him. Selling GSP as DP isn't going to end happily for anyone, fish or tank owner! He is beautiful for sure!

Yes, he was very beautiful and I was sad to see him go, but I decided that the best thing to do was return him to the store where I bought him. When I did, I told the employee who sold him to me that I didn't think he was indian dwarf, but a GSP puffer and that I didn't have a tank large enough for a 6+ inch fish, and the guy didn't even bat an eye. He just said something along the lines of "So you want the smaller one?", and quickly exchanged the fish for an indian puffer. (I guess I should clarify that the store had both this fish and and some actual indian puffers, but in separate tanks. The employee said that they were the same kind, just some where juveniles and the one I picked was almost full grown.) He didn't seem to care at at all that he sold me the wrong fish. Oh well, what can ya do...

I now have an actual indian puffer in my tank, and I'm very happy with him. The tank is 5 gallons, which I know is on the small side for this type of fish, but I plan on doing regular water testing and water changes weekly. The only problem is, since I put him in the tank he's mostly hung out in one corner, swimming up and down the side of the tank. Is this normal behavior? He also seems to be very skittish every time I walk by the tank. Is this just because he's new to the tank?

Very healthy looking greenspot.

Maybe you should post a pic of your new puffer to be sure?

Here is a picture of my new puffer. Sorry the image is a little blurry. He's very quick.

Do you have plants/decor in your tank?

Good, that's a DP!

I have a large arched rock for him to hide in and one plastic plant, and I ordered some silk plants in the mail.

Has anyone here had any experience with having live plants with freshwater puffers? I'm thinking about getting a few small plants for my tank, perhaps java fern or amazon sword.

Yes a lot of members here have heavily planted dp tanks. Provides a very natural habitat. Live plants are a great addition.

What kind of lighting would I need? Would the lights that come with a Fluval Spec V be enough? Also, I read something about plants needing extra CO2 and fertilizer. Do all plants need that or can some be sustained by just what's already in the tank?