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Okay, after reading everyone's comments on my last question I plan to add an Otocinclus Affinis to my 10 gal. tank with 4 Tiger Barbs (currently only about 1" each). I probably won't be adding it for a few days. I realize there aren't too many species I could add to this tank and still give my fish room to enjoy themselves...but I heard about the Dwarf Puffer from a friend. He mentioned that the Dwarf Puffer is small (1" max.) but aggressive enough to live with fish like Barbs. He also informed me that Dwarf Puffers do not need to be kept with other Dwarf Puffers (they can be the only fish of their species in a tank). So, my question: Do you think it would be advisable to add a Puffer in a few weeks, or should I just give up on the idea? Variety is nice, but I don't want to overstock my tank...Thanks! <img src='/images/forums/smile.gif' border=0>

Ottos are schooling fish. You'd need a least 2 or 3. They're also not very hardy - water quality can be an issue. And they don't do well with aggresive fish. I don't recommend Ottos in your tank.

If the algae you're worried about is on the glass, you could try getting a mid-sized snail or two. This would give you room for a few more fish - like this puffer you mentioned.

But your best bet for an algae eater is a Florida Flagfish. They're happiest in pairs.

Check out the profiles on this site for the otto and the flagfish.

Good luck

dwarf should stay in thier own tank.with 10g tank..u cant put much in there...even ur tb's will outgrow that tank...u need well...around 6 tb's to establish a peaking order.

Dwarf puffers may be somewhat agressive and fin nippers like barbs but they are much slower and less manuaverable. I think it would be the barbs harming the dwarf puffer. Generally puffers do not work with any fish except maybe otos but even that can end in disaster. Rarely do puffers get along in mixed species tanks over long term. They are best kept to their own tank in a pair or small group.

I have had 3 dp's for a long time in a community setting with no problems. They are in a 55 gallon, though, and there are no tiger barbs in the tank. They get along with my tetras, killifish, cories, BN, and gourami's though. They do have a constant supply of snails. I have had one of them more than 3 years, and the other two for a bit over a year. I have never witnessed aggression, or seen any signs of it. I watch the tank very often, for long periods of time.

There are many plants in the tank and a lot of driftwood.

i would get the largest dp available if you do put one in with the tiger barbs.

I have barbs and puffers and theres no way a dwarf puffer is a match for a tiger barb. It would be game over for the little fellas. The way to combine dp's with other fish is not to select them based on aggression, but on defense of attack and lack of stimulus for attack. Siamese flying foxes work well with dp's because they are too big for the puffers to harm,they move constantly which discourages the dp's from making an attack, and have no interest in them, so they both just do their own thing.A good size plec would do the same thing.Since my dp's "turned bad" after 2 years of harmonius living in a community tank with small tetras etc, the siamese flying foxes are all that I can keep with them.

Have a look in the puffer section on the forums for the complete story.