The Puffer Forum

After an absence from puffers (due to lack of freshwater puffers available), I just found some dwarves. So I'm trying again, after losing my last two to agression and parasites. It'll be two dwarf puffers in a 10 gallon, 1 otto (maybe two), theres not much algae so I don't see the point in two. I'm thinking that I'll plant it. I just dont want any high mantainance plants. I don't think I wanna try any other tank mates other than ottos. Don't like coming home to shredded fish. Wish me luck! I'll post pictures when I get the tank how I want it to look. (And if the puffers make it) I have one confirmed male. He's got eye wrinkles. The other one I'm not sure about. No belly stripe or wrinkles. But they're still small, so I'm hoping its not male. It's gonna be filtered by an Eheim 35 gallon HOB (I really don't like Eheim HOBs, but I figured extra filtration would be good) and a 10g internal. I'm thinking sand w/ fluorite. Or just small gravel with fluorite. I'd go for java moss/ferns as plants, but I can never find them. Also, theres some Anacharis in my pond outside. Would it be ok to use that instead of buying more? It's very plentiful, so its not like I'm taking all of it. The pond has goldfish, lillies, Anacharis, ramshorns, and a contorted filbert in it. I wasn't sure if there would be complications with the Anacharis if its from outside.

But I think that would be my set-up, along with clay planting pots as caves.
Thoughts?

Welcome back to the wonderful world of puffers!

In reference to the Oto's, they like to be in groups. I have 4 currently, but in a 20g (they were in my 10g before I turned it into a Nano reef). They always stick together, it's really cute =p

The lfs we trust, sells Java for a lot, unfortunately. BUT, we went to Petco to check out tanks and found they had some as well, but it was mismarked (I don't remember what they called it) and cheap! Do you have one near you in Houston?

Not sure about the Anacharis and taking it from your pond, but correct me if I'm wrong, I think that if you clean it off, you should be good to go. When we had gravel, the plants that were one stemmed had a problem staying in and it was frustrating, especially with the algae eaters that can accidentally bring them up. So, we switched to Eco-Complete and it's worked out great for those types of plants. Sand would be good as well, if it's a deeper bed, the plants shouldn't have an issue staying in.

i have to agree with the oto's(although i've only had mine a short time). I currenty have 3 and they roam around the tank in a group mimicing the game "leap frog."

I had one by itself for a few days and it was quite inactive, but almost as soon as i added additional ottos, he along with the new guys became very active and social.

This guys been alone for awhile though. His buddies died off. I dunno if I wanna get more just to have them die. I'll think about that though. The Anacharis stays in OK, except in my 55 gallon. Theres a lobster in there who likes to tear them out.