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Dwarf Puffer Care and Lighting for Planted Tank

Discussion in 'Aquatic Plants & Planted Tanks' started by Anonymous, Feb 1, 2009.

  1. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Dwarf Puffer Care and Lighting for Planted Tank
    I have decided to get a dwarf puffer. I've done a lot of research and I have kept fish for the past 14 years (just never puffers). After doing some research, have found some conflicting websites, and I also have come up with some other questions that I would like some of the experts on here to answer.

    1) Well I have two options for the tank for my puffer. The first option is in a divided 20 gallon long (it's divided 4 ways, so each division is 5 gallons). Right now it has a sponge filter (for breeding guppies), but could I use a Whisper Power filter (I have an excess of them from keeping my various tanks...I think they're the 10-30 gallon ones), or would it be too strong for the puffer? My other option for the tank is a 10 gallon that I've been using as my quarantine tank. If I used the 10 gallon, I'd probably get a trio of puffers (1M, 2F, as long as I can sex them) and make sure to plant it heavily. Which tank would be better, and why?

    2) For substrate, I have gravel in the 20 gallon right now, but that would be easy to remove. I've read two conflicting things on the substrate for these little guys. Some sites have said that the substrate doesn't matter (so gravel would be ok) and others have said that gravel will rip them to shreds. I would prefer sand, as it's something new to me and it seems a little more pleasing to the eye. I checked with my LFS and they don't carry silica sand, but I could probably get some playground sand from Menards or something like that. What do you think? Or is there another substrate I should be considering?

    3) Live plants: I kind of want a change and I think live plants might be the change. So obviously for the substrate, I would need Flourite or something like that (recommendations?), instead of the sand or gravel. If I used live plants, I would use the 10 gallon and get a new hood, since my current hood requires two small 5" bulbs. What would be a good (inexpensive) hood to buy and what kind of lighting would I need that would work well for live plants? I already have java moss, but I'm looking for a light that will work with a lot of live plants. Also, I haven't had much experience with live plants--what other things do I need to do for them (supplements, other things with the substrate, etc.)?

    Well I think that's the main questions I have. Thanks so much in advance for the help! Also, if you could point me towards any helpful links, that would be awesome. I've done a lot of reading online, but I'm always interested to read something new! :)
     
  2. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    <a class="postlink" href="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+13637&pcatid=13637" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=13637</a>

    That is the lighting system I like--the 20" for the 10 gallon. Is there anything cheaper that would work as well anywhere else or is this generally considered a good deal?
     
  3. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Or would something like this work?
    this hood: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+13447&pcatid=13447" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=13447</a>

    with this bulb: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18367/si1379056/cl0/coralifecolormax6700k65wpowercompactlampstpin" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ct ... tlampstpin</a>

    Or is there something else that would work better?
     
  4. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Before I go any further... Number 1 wouldn't work. A 5 gallon section for the fish will not offer enough space. Before I say the 10 is okay, what type of puffer is this exactly ? Is it an Tetraodon travancoricus ?
     
  5. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Actually, a lot of the websites say that 3 gallons is plenty for the dwarf puffer. It's maximum size is 1".

    And yes, I believe it is the Tetraodon travancoricus.
     
  6. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Puffers need a lot of stimulation and because of that and from what I've read they require at least a 20 gallon tank.
     
  7. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Hmm...I've read a lot of information about dwarf puffers on the Internet, and I haven't read anything about that. Do you have some links that support your statement? I'm sure bigger is better (as it is with almost every fish, especially if you're dealing with territorial fish), but I have read a forum dedicated soley to dwarf puffers, and many people had 3 gal to 10 gallon tanks for their dwarf puffers. I don't have room currently for a 20 gallon tank, and my dividers are siliconed into my 20 gallon long tank. On the dwarf puffer forum, some people had 2-3 dwarf puffers, 3 Otos, and some shrimp in a heavily planted 10 gallon tank.
     
  8. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Off hand I don't. I'm not at home so I only have access from my phone. I do know off hand that LiveAquaria recommends a 30 for them.
     
  9. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Yup, but LiveAquaria's stocking guidelines are a bit...off. They also recommend a 20 gallon minimum for a guppy, but I keep my guppies in 5 gallons, and sometimes smaller, and that's just fine for them. So I don't really take to heart the stocking guidelines for LiveAquaria, even though they do sell very nice stock. :)
     
  10. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Im sure your fish appreciate you testing the limits and seeing just how small of a tank you can squeeze them into!
     
  11. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Lol alrighty then. I really just wanted some advice about lighting and such, but I really haven't gotten any answers, so I guess I shall just try another fish forum. I thought you guys might be able to help, but I guess not. :(

    Btw, I'm not trying to squeeze them into any sort of small space. I have read a lot of information that talks about keeping them in 3-10 gallon tanks. If I had read anything about 20 gallon tanks, I wouldn't be even considering putting them in a 10 gallon, much less a 5 gallon tank. I am only going by what I have read. Sorry for my ignorance, I suppose.

    Also, I should clear up my guppy quote, so you don't all think I squeeze my fish into small spaces. 5 gallons is what I have for a pair of guppies. I raise my other guppies in a divided 30 gallon and a 30 gallon long (not divided), which, up until a week ago, was a 58 gallon tank (I switched them out). So I'm really not as mean as you think I am. I take really good care of my fish.
     
  12. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    These are some of the websites I visited:
    <a class="postlink" href="http://www.dwarfpuffers.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.dwarfpuffers.com/</a>
    <a class="postlink" href="http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile93.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile93.html</a>
    <a class="postlink" href="http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_puffer3.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_puffer3.php</a>
    <a class="postlink" href="http://freshwater-fish.suite101.com/article.cfm/keeping_the_dwarf_puffer" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://freshwater-fish.suite101.com/art ... arf_puffer</a>
    <a class="postlink" href="http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/Puffers/MalabarPuffer.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/P ... Puffer.php</a>

    Maybe they're wrong...I don't know. However, if they are, someone please let me know. I want to make sure I find out the truth about how to house these little puffers.
     
  13. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    I'm sorry but for the most part I tend to agree with LiveAquaria's tank size requirements. 5 gallons for Guppies to me does not seem like a good idea.
     
  14. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    I have no experience with dwarf puffers so I do not want to tell you whats right and wrong for them.
     
  15. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl New Member

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    i have a green spotted puffer, and i have him all alone in a 20 gallon tank and that to me seems to be the bare minimum for any sort of puffer
     
  16. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Dwarf puffer; Brackish or fresh water??

    Dwarf puffer; Brackish or fresh water??

    So I have been thinking more about my 29g now that the oscar and pleco are in a better home. Was doing some reearch on Dwarf puffers. Can anyone tell me if the info from this site is accurate or not as it would seem to have some conflicting info from what I have read here. <a class="postlink" href="http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile93.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile93.html</a>

    Maybe it is species specific not sure but according to that link they are fresh water, again I have no idea but want to know before I spend too much time researching a fish I wont end up getting ( although it is interesting learning about them ) I have limited time to do the research.
     
  17. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Re: Dwarf puffer; Brackish or fresh water??

    Tetraodon travancoricus is strictly freshwater. Unlike the commonly found Figure Eight puffers they do not require salt to be added to the tank as they mature. As for that site, I cannot say if it's accurate or not without looking at most of it's content.
     
  18. BROOKS

    BROOKS New Member

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    It's Been a while!!! Puffer Compatibility

    Sorry ive been off for some months..Ive been busy...So far i have been enjoying my aquarium and the fish in it...I now own 2 Guppies, 3 Platys, 2 Gouramis, Red Tail Shark, Clown Loach, and ID Shark...I know about the Id shark and Clown Loach getting bigger but i plan to upgrade my tank as they grow...i am looking at a new tank to get right now it's a 60 Gallon long tank what do you think?...i also have a question about dwarf puffers and spotted puffer...Are they compatible with what i have or even worth buying? and if so should i buy a seperate tank for them?
     
  19. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Re: It's Been a while!!!

    Can't help you with the puffers, But I put your post here in hopes that someone will be able to assist ya with your question about them.
     
  20. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Re: It's Been a while!!!

    Moved to the freshwater section since Dwarf Puffers are freshwater.

    Green Spotted Puffers need saltwater so they cannot be placed with the fish you listed above.

    Dwarf Puffers should only be kept in a tank to themselves. They can and will kill other tankmates if put in a community tank.