Dwarf Puffer Journal

[MandyK]

You are getting Dwarf Puffers also 850R? Nice! How big of a tank are you devoting to them?

I'd really like to have two in my tank, but I won't do that unless I can for sure get two females.

[Old Marine]

Very interesting, Can not wait to see pictures? Where are you getting them from?

[MandyK]

Well, I don't quite know yet. Lol! I've been trying to get my LFS to order them for... well tomorrow will make four weeks. If they don't come through this time I'm not sure what I'll do.

Either way I'll have to wait to save up money to have one shipped to me, or I'll be waiting on the LFS still. It is frustrating really.

[Goes to 11!]

Eventually yes.

For me it is a space/outlet availability issue {A bit of MTS rages here } + I am waiting to trim another layer of wisteria so I can plant heavy.

I am going to try 1m/3f in a 20g but I may have to stock slowly and mature each one in a 10 individually as most puffers sold are juvies and are difficult to sex until mature.

That's the plan as it sits at the moment . I won't mention that my two fave LFS both have 2 in stock atm ... Oops

Wet Web Media article about Sexing Dwarf Puffers here.

[MandyK]

That link I posted has a few different ways to sex, but like you said most of them are very young when sold. So it would be quite hard to tell.

The only thing I could think to look for would be the wrinkles the males supposedly have, and the roundedness of the females.

EDIT: Dude, that's cruel, dangling those puffers in front of my face like that!! Lol!

[Goes to 11!]

Yup, Everyone kind of looks like a girl as juvies. I might divide both a 10 and a 20 and get 4 and see what I get out of it.

The boys allegedly have darker colors and a dark strip lengthwise down their bellys also.

I was just letting you know they are out there... Sorta :-P.

[MandyK]

Suuuuurrreee you were. Haha. I might have to get the number of your store and see if they'd let me freaking order one if things don't start working out.

[KevinVA]

Just a heads up, Puffers are aggressive and have quite the bite, Plecs are not usually suggested as tank mates.

According to 'Tankmates guide' on the site Mandy linked:


Not worth risking IMO but I still look forward to having some with a few ottos.

Striped Raphs are armored and have spines... I doubt there'd be much to worry about with them. Some plecs are armored, as well, and supposedly do well in semi-aggressive tanks. Of course, if you're going to keep these with Dwarf Puffers, you'd have to watch out for them eating them, as the armored cats (not sure about the plecs) can be opportunistic eaters of smaller fish.

[KevinVA]

If I had a bigger tank I'd def be putting a Green Spotted Puffer in it instead of the Dwarf. Buuuuutt I don't. Lol.

Anyway, if you guys are interested this is the site I've been getting my info from.

http://dwarfpuffers.com/

I've seen it recommended by two different forum members, so I'm assuming that it is reputable.

I was just looking at that site the other day. Pretty interesting/useful info.

Well, I don't quite know yet. Lol! I've been trying to get my LFS to order them for... well tomorrow will make four weeks. If they don't come through this time I'm not sure what I'll do.

Either way I'll have to wait to save up money to have one shipped to me, or I'll be waiting on the LFS still. It is frustrating really.

Do you have a Petco nearby? I know this isn't the best choice, but I've seen them in their stores before.

[Goes to 11!]

I am familiar with plecos yes & as sure as you are Kevin, I am just passing on what the people with puffer experience from the puffer specific forum say about tankmates.
They only list ottos and possibly shrimp [Also possibly a snack] as suitable mates. YMMV but I wont be risking any plecs with my puffers lol