DPs in a guppy tank?

mark_v_socal · Post by **mark_v_socal** » Wed May 23, 2007 1:31 am

Hello!

Some people have suggested to me that it might be possible to keep DPs (of the calm variety) in a guppy tank.

I think I know the answer to this, but I thought I'd put it to the experts over here.

The situation: I have 2 DPs in my 65 gal. planted tank, along with 2 sailfin mollies. One of my DPs is very docile, timid really - the smaller one. The larger one only chases the smaller DP - ignores the mollies altogether.

I am considering moving the docile one into the 20 gal. guppy tank to alleviate what must be some stress from being mercilessly chased whenever the two make eye contact. Is this unwise? Should I just pop her in there to try it out? Would it take several days for her to acclimate to the point where she would or wouldn't be chasing the gups around?

Many thanks in advance,

-Mark

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Wed May 23, 2007 4:04 am

The thing with a DP is you never know when it might decide to start chomping on other fish. Some do it right away, others might take half a year...

mark_v_socal · Post by **mark_v_socal** » Wed May 23, 2007 4:18 am

Yes, this is my concern ...

In the long run, I plan on adding other kinds of fish to my 65 gal. planted tank. I also plan on purchasing a 3-5 gal. nano for my office, at which point I would definitely transfer one of the dwarf puffers to that tank and would keep him solo except for an otto perhaps.

So, it's a matter of "when" and "where to transfer to" because I can tell that keeping them together is not a good long-term option.

And, can I just say for the record, holy crap, people actually trim their puffers' teeth? WTF?!

I honestly have to say that I am not up for that level of commitment ... and I'm a committed fishkeeper!

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Wed May 23, 2007 4:32 am

When people get attached, they're more afraid of hurting the puffer when doing it than of the task itself...
Its not likely that long term either puffer will work out in a community setting, but if they're harassing each other, hes no worse in the guppy tank than the community tank.

mark_v_socal · Post by **mark_v_socal** » Wed May 23, 2007 4:39 am

well yeah, but FWIW ... I've had these guppies for years (all of them born in my tank!) and I got the DPs three weeks ago.

So, I'd rather the DPs harass each other if the alternative is that one of them starts chomping on my gups!

How could you possibly trim a DP's beak anyway? Mine are like less than 2 cm long! (maybe 1.25 cm!)

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Wed May 23, 2007 5:43 am

They are still young then. With DPs its very easy to never have to trim their beak, some slightly crunchy food, perhaps tiny snails, now and then is plenty. With south american puffers, on the other hand, even with daily snails, they will likely require beak trimming.

DarkEntity · Post by **DarkEntity** » Thu May 24, 2007 3:56 pm

I feed my Puffer snails every other day, keeps me happy in the thought i nver have to do dental work...

mark_v_socal · Post by **mark_v_socal** » Sat May 26, 2007 5:34 am

OK

After witnessing my larger DP pick on the smaller, uber-timid one, I moved the little guy in with my 20 or so female guppies.

So far, she (I think she's a she) is just hanging out in the plants and keeping to herself. I'll monitor her to make sure she's not chomping on my gups.

crazedpuffer · Post by **crazedpuffer** » Sat May 26, 2007 8:40 am

I have heard people keeping dp's with guppies. I don't know what the long term affect was. I know a few people have kept there dp's in a community for at least a year with no problems. Good luck!

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DPs in a guppy tank?

DPs in a guppy tank?