Project Pea Puffer

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esoxlucius

esoxlucius

Balaclava Bot Butcher
MFK Member
Dec 30, 2015
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A couple of years ago a friend moved house and left some unwanted odds and sods behind. They told me there was an old fish tank that I could have so I went down to have a look. It was an Aqueon 13g hex tank. The whole lid section which housed the filter and heater was broken, and there wasn't a stand for it. So I collected the tank only and threw it up the attic.

I was up there the other day and wondered whether it was time I did something with it. My wife wants seahorses in it, which is a total non starter, but in the same breath also said she likes puffer fish too. I think I could go along with that. I know diddly squat about puffers but I do know that pea puffers stay tiny, ideal for this tank. I've done a little research on them but I'd prefer to hear from you guys about them.

So....Solo? Group? Food? Decor? Plants? Are they fussy regarding water parameters? Talk to me about this tiny little fish which supposedly has a huge personality.

Thanks in advance for any wisdom.
 
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esoxlucius said:
A couple of years ago a friend moved house and left some unwanted odds and sods behind. They told me there was an old fish tank that I could have so I went down to have a look. It was an Aqueon 13g hex tank. The whole lid section which housed the filter and heater was broken, and there wasn't a stand for it. So I collected the tank only and threw it up the attic.

I was up there the other day and wondered whether it was time I did something with it. My wife wants seahorses in it, which is a total non starter, but in the same breath also said she likes puffer fish too. I think I could go along with that. I know diddly squat about puffers but I do know that pea puffers stay tiny, ideal for this tank. I've done a little research on them but I'd prefer to hear from you guys about them.

So....Solo? Group? Food? Decor? Plants? Are they fussy regarding water parameters? Talk to me about this tiny little fish which supposedly has a huge personality.

Thanks in advance for any wisdom.
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twentyleagues twentyleagues
 
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They can be quite nasty, but appropriate tankmates can work. What are the tank dimensions? If it’s too tall I’d really only do one puffer and maybe some guppies.
Ember tetras also make good tankmates. Otos would also do well.
I’m pretty sure they are naturally found with badis, but those are a challenge on their own.
By gallonage you could do 3, but it’s all about territory and gender (males are even meaner).
Feeding is pretty easy, just keep it nice and varied. Bloodworms, mysis, brine shrimp, and tubifex all are great options. And of course snails. Dwarf puffers don’t have beaks like the bigger guys, but still love their snails.
I also recommend deworming them first. Parasites are a common killer of puffers, so precautionary measures are good.
 
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I have seen at least one source (it may have been The Puffer Forum) that states it's cruel to keep any less than 5 dwarf puffers, and that that many needs at least 110 liters (so quite a bit more than that 49 liter tank). If I find it, I'll link it.
 
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The tank, as I said, is an Aqueon hex 60 litres (about 13g). It is quite tall though, dimensions are 41x41x60cm.

I wasn't planning on any tank mates, fish, shrimp, snails, nothing, just the puffers. If a group is preferable it may not work given the lack of length of the tank.

I may have to have a rethink.
 
Oh, my bad. I converted US gallons to liters.

Good luck with whatever you do.
 
They are one of those fish that shoals in the wild, but that can only be done with large fish in large tanks. As far as I know they are okay on their own, and can be quite mean to each other.
 
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Mine were good with each other until a couple months ago. I have 4 left. 1 male 3 females. Pretty sure if it was a 40b or longer tank they'd have been fine. Unfortunately my tank is like yours tall, mines 18"×18"×22". Cherry shrimp keep populating and still have the Brigette.
 
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