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I'm relatively new to the joys of fish keeping and was excited to learn there are freshwater pufferfish. (I'm already a fan of the saltwater variety). However looking at their profiles it doesn't seem like they are compatible with much. Could the dwarf puffer (or any puffer for that matter) be kept in a community tank? I'm still in the early stages of my 22g tank (just a few hardy tetras and platies) or should I keep the puffer in mind for a new tank further down the track.

thanks

Last edited by fishymama at 06-Apr-2005 02:10

They are notorious fin-nippers and I wouldn't trust them with many fish. People keep them with otos with success, but that's about it. The trade-off I'm told is between keeping lots of different fish in a tank or one kind of fish, but one that is unusually interesting and intelligent. The advantage of a species tank for them is that you can keep a few in small tank. Check www.dwarfpuffers.com for more information.

It all depends on what you consider a "community". For example, you could add an oscar to a community of fish. However, this community would have to be made up of similar-sized and tempered fish. If your definition of a community is tetras, platies, and such, then a dwarf puffer would be for you. The only fish(fishlike animals)people have kept them with sucessfully are: ottos, cories, bumblebee gobies, shrimp, and African Dwarf Frogs. However, it all depends on the individual temper of your fish. If by some chance you get a very mild-mannered one, you could keep it with peacefull fish. However, if you get a bad apple, you're in trouble. Most fish are somewhere in between these two extremes. In the case of a puffer, you're probably leaning towards the mean extreme. So, basically, I would hold off until another day. Dwarf puffers are pretty small and can go in tanks as small as 5 - 10 gallons, so you wouldn't have as much trouble getting a tank for one as if you would for a larger fish.

The only other puffer I would think about in a 22 gallon tank would be a figure 8 puffer. However, these can be rowdy and large, so you would not be able to have much more than that one fish in there.

So, basically, if you want to have a peaceful tank, don't get a puffer.

- Dj:88)

Thanks for your advice guys - much appreciated. Looks like I'll probably steer clear of the puffer for a little while ... which is a shame because they're cute little buggers! Maybe one day I'll set up my 10g with them when all is thriving in my 22g!

cheers