The Puffer Forum

Give them time, I have only had 2 dps that didn't bother anything. Once they hit maturity they are the most dangerous puffers out there

all 3 are mature puffers fully grown they have shared the tank for around 6 months now I keep them well fed with black worms and hae seen no aggression. I have seen them hit head on with a silver dollar and continue about there buisness. These puffers are at least a year old. I believe the size of the tank and adding them last has made the difference as well.

I personally believe that like other puffers, DP's personalities can vary.

My puffers are adult puffers they have been in the community tank for awhile now with no issues. They were old enough to be sexed when I got them they were not babies so I really dont think there personalities will do any drastic changes unless I decided not to feed them. and that wont happen

I have to agree with Bertie. I think you're taking a big chance by putting a predator fish in with community fish and expecting it will stay peaceful. They may be fine for a while but don't expect it to last forever.

Dwarf pea puffers are a fairly new species. They were only discovered a few years ago. I don't think there's enough studies one way or another. If I had a small tank I may be more concerned but 75 gallons is a lot area with lots of hiding places, YouTube has a number of videos listed. I believe if not well fed you may have issues but I keep them well fed with live black worms and trumpet snails. But your right any time a fish can change.

I had some that were fine for years then turned nasty, if this happens its disastrous. But their personalities do vary, had a pair of old males that didn't bother anything even shrimp. Not a risk I would take again but you might get lucky

bertie 83 wrote:Give them time, I have only had 2 dps that didn't bother anything. Once they hit maturity they are the most dangerous puffers out there

Who told you that? A hungry puffer is the most dangerous. Most dwarf puffers are pretty easy going and there are many articles on there ability to remain in a community tanks.

http://www.tfhmagazine.com/details/arti ... rprise.htm

No one told me. This is my experience from keeping them for years. I have many tank years experience with dps. Some are just occasional nippers which is still not ok. I only had 2 males that were totally peaceful. All the others were killers/ not friendly at all. You see a lot online but no articles state long term success, this is the goal

I'm sorry I have to agree. Lots of people add DPs to community tanks and say "see I told you they are fine" but 3-6 months later its a different story. Missing eyes, tattered fins - yeah they may not kill your other fish outright but they will pick away a little at a time until stress kills them instead. These are not a peaceful fish. Keep in mind as well that this is a scaleless fish and if you ever have to treat your tank for disease you will need to move them out. Keeping them well fed has nothing to do with them attacking other fish - if you've ever seen an overfed puffer still try to feed you will know they have no concept of being full. In addition they metabolize their food pretty quickly and it is in their nature to constantly be on the patrol for food. I have a 110 and there is no way you could convince me of adding DPs to that tank! I like my fish to have eyeballs

**also that article you linked to is 8 years old and also states "They do well in smaller tanks, and a pair or trio can be kept in a desktop tank" which we know now is not true for long term success.

pollypuff wrote:I'm sorry I have to agree. Lots of people add DPs to community tanks and say "see I told you they are fine" but 3-6 months later its a different story. Missing eyes, tattered fins - yeah they may not kill your other fish outright but they will pick away a little at a time until stress kills them instead. These are not a peaceful fish. Keep in mind as well that this is a scaleless fish and if you ever have to treat your tank for disease you will need to move them out. Keeping them well fed has nothing to do with them attacking other fish - if you've ever seen an overfed puffer still try to feed you will know they have no concept of being full. In addition they metabolize their food pretty quickly and it is in their nature to constantly be on the patrol for food. I have a 110 and there is no way you could convince me of adding DPs to that tank! I like my fish to have eyeballs

**also that article you linked to is 8 years old and also states "They do well in smaller tanks, and a pair or trio can be kept in a desktop tank" which we know now is not true for long term success.

We can agree to disagree since they are adults and have been peaceful for 7 months I will let you know how they are when a full year is up

Your experience may be different. We just can't recommend it.

Those other fishes seems fast, puffers may want to nip their fins....but good luck doing it!

That's what I observe with my puffer (irrubesco), the guppies are so quick they lost interest. They may get a fry from time to time, that's all.

Problem is more getting the puffer fed, they are not the only one going for red worm or even squid pieces....

slow fishes, even armored ones, are another story entirely....

mislaura wrote:
We can agree to disagree since they are adults and have been peaceful for 7 months I will let you know how they are when a full year is up

Let us know when 5 years is up!