The Puffer Forum

Hi all.

I currently have a 5.5 gal (21 L) tank that contains 2 dwarf puffers, 2 bumblebee gobies and a clown plecto.

I also have a 55 gal (210 L) tank that has the following in it:
(1) Large Orange plecto (6+in)
(1) Small algae eater
(1) Catfish
(1) Clown Loach
(1) Dojo Loach
(6) Neons
(1) Dwarf Gourami
(1) baby Pearl Gourami
(1) baby Rainbow fish
(1) Purple Spotted Goby
(1) snail


I am getting tired of having the second small tank around and am thinking of putting the fish in it into the larger tank. I don't believe the puffers will get along with the other community fish, however (correct me if I am wrong). I am thinking of getting a tank divider and sectioning off an area of the larger tank for the 2 puffers. I am wondering if there are any larger species of puffer that could co-habitat with the 2 smaller ones. I have heard that both figure eight and green spotted would probably be too aggressive, and end up killing the smaller 2. I'd like some input on any puffer varieties that might be able to get along with the 2 dwarfs. Thanks.
-Ben

Puffers tend to be aggressive in general so if you put bigger ones in there, they will most likely nip and/or eat the little dp's, I'm afraid. If anyone else has any input, please correct me if I'm wrong. Not sure if there are any other puffs that can live peacefully with the dp's.

Figure 8s and GSPs are incompatible as they have different water requirements, being brackish puffers. SAPs have a reputation for being fairly peaceful, relatively speaking. The problem I see is not what will get along with the DPs but what will the DPs get along with. They are notorious for not getting along with much of anything else, and I would be worried if you put anything else with them, that they'd munch on it.

As far a sectioning off your 55g and adding them to it, I wouldn't recommend it. Your 55g is already overstocked, and you have at least a couple of fish who are going to need much larger tanks in the long run if stunting is to be avoided. But your 5.5g tank is also overstocked. A better option would be to get at least a 10g tank and move the occupants of the 5.5g into it.

Thanks for the input. I always heard that the rule of thumb is about 1" of fish per tank gallon. Based on this, I was under the assumption that the 55 gal tank was large enough to accommodate the fish I have in it, but I guess not?

As for the 5 gal tank, yes it is a little over stocked, but everyone seems to get on fine.

Hachi wrote:Puffers tend to be aggressive in general so if you put bigger ones in there, they will most likely nip and/or eat the little dp's, I'm afraid. If anyone else has any input, please correct me if I'm wrong. Not sure if there are any other puffs that can live peacefully with the dp's.

I have seen a GSP tear a DP in half, almost as soon as it hit the water.

Ben wrote:Thanks for the input. I always heard that the rule of thumb is about 1" of fish per tank gallon. Based on this, I was under the assumption that the 55 gal tank was large enough to accommodate the fish I have in it, but I guess not?

The 1" rule is a myth. The only type of fish it is the least bit good for is very slender body fish like neon tetras and zebra danios. For anything with any bulk to it, throw it out, especially when it comes to plecos. Its not merely a matter of space, but of bioload. And you have to take into account their full adult size, not their baby/juvenile size, as well as things like swimming habits. Your clown loach, for instance, does best with a few of its own as its a schooling fish, and gets to a foot long. 75g is usually the minimum recommended for them. Not sure what kind you have but many catfish grow in excess of 2 FEET long. Not sure what a purple spotted goby is, nothing comes up with that common name when I do a search, but most seem to be brackish fish and get very large. Your pleco is likely to get very large as well. Rainbows, if I'm not mistaken, do better in groups as well.

Ben wrote:As for the 5 gal tank, yes it is a little over stocked, but everyone seems to get on fine.

Keep in mind that temperaments often change as the fish mature, and puffers have been known to turn on their tankmates.

Just FYI, the Goby is a Mogurnda mogurnda and the Catfish is a little Bronze Catfish (Corydoras aeneus).

I agree with Boxermom. I would get a 10 gallon tank for your two DP's, or find a new home for them if you don't want to have a small tank anymore.

I also have a 55 gal (210 L) tank that has the following in it:
(1) Large Orange plecto (6+in)
(1) Small algae eater
(1) Catfish
(1) Clown Loach
(1) Dojo Loach
(6) Neons
(1) Dwarf Gourami
(1) baby Pearl Gourami
(1) baby Rainbow fish
(1) Purple Spotted Goby
(1) snail

The pleco will eventually need a bigger home, as will the clown loach, and possibly the catfish.

Do you know any more about the "small algae eater"? If this is a Chinese Algae Eater, they get very large (8"+) and very mean - sucking the slime coat off other fish. You have a number of schooling fish there (or at least fish that prefer company) - such as the rainbow fish, neons, clown loaches, possibly the catfish (any more info on this? could be anything).

I think the little algae eater is an Oto. It was given to me, along with the plecto, catfish, neons, and the tank. The guy said that he had owned the plecto for quite some time. I assumed it was full grown, but can't verify this, as I don't know exactly what species it is. It is orange and has some black spots. The catfish is a bronze, and I dont believe will get much bigger than it is now (about 3 in).

I was given two very juvenile plecos that I must find something to do with...about 2 feet long they will get.

The plecto is a chocolate pleco btw, which I believe wont get bigger than 6-8 in. Just found a pic online

First thing first. Bumble Bee Gobies are low end brackish. They do not thrive in freshwater.
Second. Your chocolate pleco has the potential to get larger than 6-8 inches. Try a foot or so, in which case the 55 is still going to be too small. 55 gallon tanks are only 13 inches wide. How are 12 inch fish going to be able to turn in the take with comfort?
I understand the fish and tank were given to you, but you should decide what of your schooling fish you'd like to have, see if your LFS will take the others and get more of the schooling fish you'd like to keep. IMO.