The Puffer Forum

I was wondering what plants people keep with their puffers. I have a small tank with two Dwarf Puffers and am looking for some inspiration. I'd like to show you a photo, but my camera has problems dealing with my bow-front tank...anyway I would love to see photos or just hear what you all grow.
All the best from Bill.

What size tank and what lighting do you have??? (e.g. how many watts) This might help us to help you!!!

I do medium light tanks with CO2 to grow echinodorus, java fern, nymphaea and vallisneria mainly

Mine tend to prefer large leaf plants like anubias, java ferns and crypts.

Thanks for your help guys. I have a "nano tank" of six UK Gallons or 28Litres, and I have one 11watt light, which works out at about 1.8 wpg (mental mathematics so may be dodgy). I am hoping to supplement the lighting situation soon, so I hope to double the light that the tank gets. Do you think the puffers will be okay with that? I intend to provide some shade for them so that they aren't forced to live with that amount of light in their eyes all day. I like the idea of lots of vallis, 'Legend, and I have a Nymphaea and some java fern already. I would also like at least 1 "fast grower" in there to help absorb some of the nitrates. I have mostly slow growers at the moment, they're tough but I have to water change all the time. I know that this plan won't remove the need for water changes by any means, but it might help a bit. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
From Bill.

Ooohh. Saw a good plant at LFS today: Mexican Oak Leaf. Is this a fast grower? The chap said so, but I wanted to be sure. Can anyone tell me if this is a good plant for me to grow with my lighting levels ( 1.8WPG)?
All the best from Bill.

Mine grows pretty fast, but I have 2.5w/g and CO2. Should do fine in your tank, just might grow a little slower.

Thanks Boxermom.
All the best from Bill.

my dp loves hunting among the corkscrew val "field" i have growing in her tank.

She doesnt seem to have a preference of plants... although she really likes floating cover/plants in the tank, not only to sleep in, but to hunt as well(the snails stick to the bottoms of the floating plants and she hovers underneath and has a field day.)

Funny you should say that saynever, I'm going to have a go at a Corkscrew Vallis jungle. I think i have seen a very long thin leaved variety, as well as the more stout version. It would look nice with the V.torta I already have.

My puffers tend to sleep cradled in the Java fern leaves (irresistibly cute).

All the best from Bill.

my dp's love to play in water wisteria and rotala indica. Both are fast growers and would need to be pruned often in a small tank but will make a nice little jungle for the puffers. If you go with the indica try laying it down instead of planting it like a normal stem plant.

I know many people hate this plant, I'm not especially fond of it, but the DP's at work love java moss. 24 hours a day they hunt in it. I'll drop small snails directly into the massive wad of JF and watch the DP's tear after them, It's one of the highlights of my day. Too bad the customers can barely see them.

It's probably better if people can't see them, lol, fewer impulse buys for community tanks, or for little kids. Really only people that come in looking for a DP should be buying one anyway, 9/10.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! You have all given me just the help I need. I think I'll go for the Vallis and Mexican Oak Leaf option. I actually really like Java moss, it's all personal taste though isn't it? I may try and add some later on, as I am hoping to go "hi-tec" and get some DIY CO2 going for my tank. I hear Java Moss does better this way, and I have some bare wood to put it on (I pruned my Anubais recently).

Thanks all, from Bill.

Nick wrote:It's probably better if people can't see them, lol, fewer impulse buys for community tanks, or for little kids. Really only people that come in looking for a DP should be buying one anyway, 9/10.

I won't sell fish to impulse buyers. I educate them on purchases they wish to make. I make sure they get fish that appropriate for their setups.