Dwarf puffer

5xevy

5xevy

Member #62,749
Jan 3, 2007
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Upstate, NY
Went to Barnes & Noble this weekend to specifically look for dwarf puffer, carinotetraodon travancoricus, information. Ended up buying a book and a magazine. I must say this site really got me interested in them (thanks, just what I needed- another excuse for yet another tank :D)

I would like to get a 20 or 25-gallon tank this weekend to specifically house 1 or more of these little guys (and no other fish). I just have a few questions.

I found this thread extremely informative:

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94515&highlight=dwarf+puffer


1- So besides snails (MTS), bloodworms and ghost shrimp, what else have others been able to feed their DPs?

2- Also, the info I bought suggests using a sponge filter since the DPs don't really like a lot of water current. Since I'm not too familiar with sponge filters, can someone recommend a good one? I know it's a matter of opinion, but I would like one that obviously filters well, and is preferably quiet and durable, regardless of price.

3- Lastly, I'd like to put between 1-5 DPs in my tank and would love to hear from others who have more than one DP- their long-term results and behaviors.

Any other information would be appreciated. Thanks ahead of time.
 
My DP also eats Beefheart, and Krill. Just think Carnivore and you'll be good to go.
 
Best to try a variety of foods to find out what your DPs like. When I kept them, mine never touched the ghost shrip, they would only eat blood worms (frozen, not dried) and pond snails. They are cool fish, and with a 20-25 gal tank 5 would be fine. I wouldn't do more than that, they can be pretty agressive.
 
Hey
1- I wouldn't suggest feeding MTS to Dps they are extremely hard and can chip the puffers beak. They very much enjoy ramshorn though that are about the size of their eye. Also ghost shrimp in some cases end up being tankmates, I have them in with my Dps. Mine love mysis shrimp, and the occasional brine shrimp treat (lacking in nutrition so not very often), also mine go crazy for live blackworms which are hard for me to get so I only feed them once in awhile.
2- In my experience the have handled penguins and ACs fine just make sure there are places that have no current. Otherwise they don't really mind IME
3-Most of the DPs I've had are extremely personable and zip straight up to the front of the tank when I come in. They are extremely curious and intelligent. Although you do have to be careful while siphoning the gravel because they come extremely close to the siphon.
Good Luck I'm sure you'll love them and get hooked on puffers
 
I have a 20 gallon dp heavily planted tank.
I have 4 DP, 2 oto, 1 banjo catfish.
Penguin 150 No problems, and a bubble wall.
The banjo was in the 55 gallon but i found out he might eat my neons so he's been rehoused.

Dwarf Puffer tanks are fun because you can go NUTS on plants.. I have so many plants now and it looks so wonderful in the corner of the dining room.
Hard to spot the puffers though.

I watched them at the LFS today... I watched a tiny tiny tiny cute cute cute one ripping fins off large danios it was going nuts the poor other fish in the tank... I told the LFS and he said he would move him/her.

I think you can get some pretty mean ones or some pretty mellow ones luck of the draw from what I've been reading or like I did see if you can watch them for a bit first.

Mine eat bloodworms I feed each puffer a few with a syringe (no needle lol), Pond snails (I have a 5 gallon breeder snail tank), and frozen enriched brine shrimp.
 
wow lots of info
has AC changed on your PC too?
all blue shades says monster aquaria network on top
 
1- I feed mine frozen bloodworms and occasionally pond snails. One of mine will eat flakes, the others don't care for them.

2- I use an Eheim canister filter on my 10 gallon (rated for up to 40 gallon tanks) and they handle the current just fine (I do have the spray bar blowing down the back wall of the tank, rather than across the surface). I do catch them swimming in the current sometimes, they really are not as "delicate" with currents as some people make them out to be. The key thing is to make sure your filter intake is well-covered and that the puffers can't be sucked up or get sucked on to it since they are so tiny

3- I have 3 DPs in a 10 gallon along with 1 oto. They've been together since August. The tank is moderate to heavily planted with some open areas. I have 1 male and 2 females. The male has laid claim to one corner of the tank and will chase out the females if he's not feeling social (he doesn't bug the oto at all though). He's also very food aggressive and I've had to train him to stay in his corner at feeding time and train the girls to go to the opposite corner for their food. I feed by hand using tweezers and this seems to ease the food aggression as well as help me make sure everyone gets their share of the meal. Aside from the occasional chasing, outside of food time there aren't really any aggression problems.

If you haven't already found it, be sure to check out www.dwarfpuffers.com
 
Mine like mosquito larvae too!
 
be careful how agressive they are, i housed 4 in a 10 gallon and in less than a year, one bullied the 3 others to death. one at a time, but they all pick on the smallest until they stop eating and die :(

but now i got that one guy in a 5 gallon with a ghostshrimp, they get along fine together and i feed em freeze dried bloodworms daily.

i would be scared to house a DP with ANYTHING else, much to agressive IMO, anything with a fin might be get nipped by those dps, i have a indian dp (the smallest i believe)

i think my fatty dp will live forever, he's always waiting for food every morning, real active around feeding time but he's soo small you lose em in a planted tank...but I agree, they are GREAT for a completely planted tank with a focus on plants....
 
Thanks for the responses. No, I do not plan on having any other fish in there besides the DPs.

What kind of substrate and filters do you all have? I do prefer the clean look of sand but wouldn't pass up a decent looking gravel.
 
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