The Puffer Forum

Hey everyone!
I just registered and had a some DP questions... This is a pretty long post so I apologize in advance. I have a 10g tank and was thinking about getting some F8's, but after realizing that a 10g was WAY too small, I've decided on 2-3 DP's. This will be my first puffer tank. My tank is cycling now and has a pretty good size rock and 3 large groups of plants (some real, some fake). I also have a 50watt heater and I'm planning on buying a background before I get the little guys. I should be ordering them within the next 2-3 weeks and I'll be taking a water test (for nitrates and such) into the store before I order. I'll be getting some blood worms and brine shrimp for them... and I'm considering a mini snail tank as well. Basically, I was just wondering if I've prepared enough. I want them to have a happy home when they arrive! Oh, and what genders should I request (if they let me choose)? I was thinking 2f and 1m, but I dont know if that would start a fight. Let me know what you think! Thanks!!!

2m/1f is a great ratio for dp's.
How are you cycling your tank?
Snails are a good idea to have breeding somewhere, whether a separate snail tank or in other tanks for easy pickins. They love their snails and it is an important part of a varied diet for them.
The types of plants for dp's don't really matter, just needs loads of plants and hidey holes for them to explore and claim. This also helps to break up the lines of sight so they aren't constantly getting aggressive with each other.
Some may say a 10 gal is too small for 3 dp's, but that is what I have mine in and it is working out well with regular maintenance.

Welcome. You sound ready. I would be surprised however if you were able to sex them yet. Most of the time the ones in the store are too young to sex.

The woman at the store just told me to get some cheap fish to cycle the tank... so I got some rosy reds. And I should be doing a few partial water changes before I get the DP's. Does that sound ok?

First rule of fishkeeping: Never listen to an LPS employee without doing your homework first. They usually don't know what they are talking about and don't care, all they want to do is sell you fish and other needless crap.

We recommend fishless cycling, which is more humane and doesn't risk the lives of fish or their health. There are articles in our library about the cycling process and how to do a fishless cycle.

Thanks SO much! All of the rosy reds are doing fine (thankfully)... so I'll move them out at start a fishless cycle. Thanks again for all of the help!

where are they moveing to? do you have multiple tanks or are you new to fish keeping?

welcome to the puffer forum!

Its not very likely but if you can, see if you can find any stores selling BioSpira. That will "instant" cycle the tank within a couple of days. Don't let them sell you anything else like Cycle or Stress Zyme. BioSpira is the only readily available product that works and it must be kept in their refrigerator.

I'm quasi new to fishkeeping but I have been trying to do my homework My friend has several tanks and I will be giving the other fish to him for now. I'll look for the BioSpira, having the tank cycled in a few days would be great... so I'll keep an eye out for it. Thanks!

Read this article in the library for fishless cycling: http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/library.php?p=17

The LFS person gave you accurate info just not all the options available now. I used to cycle my tanks using guppies but we don't have to do that now that we understand better how the ecology works. You also don't have to buy biospira, but if you are impatient it can help speed things up. I prefer to use the info provided in the link above, ends up being a more stable environment by the time you add animals. Just my opinion.

Personnally I've set my tanks up for a month or so with plants/snails, seed from existing tanks and then introduced fish (that I intend to keep) to complete the cycle with fine success and little stress to the first fish. But everyone seems to want to have fish in 24 hours now...I enjoy fixing up the scenery while I wait for the cycle to complete.