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I was origionally set on having a pair of brevis in my 5 gallon tank. However, now I'm not so sure. I'm already setting up a 30 gallon shellie tank. I've been thinking alot about dwarf puffers, and I know a place that might special order them for me. I was thinking:

1 Dwarf puffer
1 - 3 bb gobies
1 - 3 ottos

I'm not sure if bb gobies like groups or not, I've heard conflicting information. Also, I've gone to several stores and the ones I've seen never seem to grow past 3/4 of an inch. I don't know if this makes a difference but, the profile says they can grow to 1 1/2 inches.

The ottos I know like groups. Although, could I get away with a pair? or should I stick with 3?

Also, I want to clear up something. Dwarf puffers are completely freshwater. I've read some posts where people are debating whether they are freshwater or brackish instead of answering the origional question. Although I am a beginer when it comes to all three of these fish, I have done my homework. Also, bb gobies can be either fresh or brackish water. The ones I've seen at the store are in freshwater tanks, so introducing them to a brackish tank would kill them. Therefore, I tank will be freshwater. Finally, I know ottos like algae. They will probably be the last in the tank. I might use the gravel from my 2.5 betta tank which has a coat of algae already on it. Or, I might use the old rock on the windowsill trick.

Anyway, my tank idea was leaning on this side:
1 dwarf puffer
2 ottos
3 bb gobies
MTS (possibly)

If I do the rock on the windowsill trick instead of old gravel, I will use black sand as my substrate. I will add the snails first to stir up the sand and breed. I'll give them time before I introduce the DP. Hopefully, I can get a colony going and by the time the puffer eats one snail, there will already be a baby snail to take it's place. Although, this is all in theory.

I don't think that is horribly overstocked as all of these fish are in the 1 inch range. All of these fish are also proven to be able to live in 5 gallon tanks. I was just wondering if I could put them all together.

Thanks alot
- DJ :88)

Putting a BB Goby in brackish will kill them? *head slams against table* What the heck? The mudskipper I currently own was kept in freshwater at the store. Guess what it's at now? Half saltwater. Salt's not going to kill a brackish fish. However, I'll let people more experienced with bumblebee gobies comment on their experiences with this species.

Anyway, salinity aside the set-up sounds like it would work. It's always a danger keeping a delicate fish like ottos in a small tank, though; you know, with the fact fluctuations in water parameters occurs much more quickly in a smaller tank.

Last edited by Shinigami at 01-Apr-2005 10:25

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

Putting a BB Goby in brackish will kill them? *head slams against table* What the heck?

Come to think of it, I should have worded that alot better

I'm not saying the salt will kill it. I'm saying that the transition from an enviornment it lived in most/all of its life to a "better" enviornemt might do more harm than good. Basically, what I was saying that buying a fish that was born and raised in freshwater and then putting it right in brackish water would most likely have the same effect that you would have from putting a brackish water fish like a scat into freshwater. I suppose I could gradulaly highten the salanity, but my point is that I felt it was unnessicary since they can live in both. It was more of a sidenote and an opinion rather than a point of any kind. I was trying to cover all my bases becasue I have seen similar threds about DPs turning into debates on these topics. I was just trying to tell everyone my stance before people begin to bring it up.

What do you think I should do aquascaping wise? I was thinking rockwork in the back with a few smaller plants (fake) in the front. What about ph? I was thinking 7 - 7.5, but would that be ok for ottos? Oh, and feeding. I know bb gobies like live food and I don't mind that. Although I have a package of frozen bloodworms in the freezer that I'd rather use becasue live bloodworms seeem to die off before I can use them all. Would worms work for puffers? What about ottos? I know they sometimes eat meat, although it is uncommon. So, should I include algea tablets?

- DJ :88)

id stick with 3 ottos- they seem to do better in groups than pairs.

Personally I wouldnt put ottos in a 5, we all know that even 10's can crash in experienced fishkeepers hands, to me a 5 runs an incredible risk with water parameter fluctuations. And fluctuations arent something that your average otto is happy with.
I'd say turn it into a high light planted tank, quite easy to do considering how small it is...it'd just take a bit of patience .

^_^


Edit: I'd have helped I suppose if I'd read all of what shini said .

[hr width='40%']"I'm alright, I'm alright
It only hurts when I breathe"

Last edited by Babelfish at 01-Apr-2005 09:48

Say I dropped the ottos...

Whould this work:

1 Dwarf puffer
5 bb gobies?
or
2 Dwarf puffers
3 bb gobies

The second choice is my favorite.

The tank would have black sand with some rockwork. And what about feeding, ph, hardness, etc.?

thanks for your help
- DJ :88)

Last edited by djtj at 03-Apr-2005 00:34