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Often on this site individual members lump all puffer fish into the agressive category. Yes, most are not community tankmates. However, pufferfish have many different species, and even the agressive ones are agressive in different ways. Some puffers bury themselves in sand and wait for a fish or other food to swim by, then they ambush them. Others actively hunt for fish.

Neither the asellus nor the dwarf puffer fall into this category. Granted, if these puffers bite it will do some damage, as they have sharp "beaks". But most well fed individuals of these two species do not just attack fish tankmates. If a fish is in the tank with them such as a male betta, of course it will get its fins nipped. But if you have active, fast moving fish there GENERALLY will not be a problem.

That said, a particular individual may be very aggressive, but I have seen the same thing out of so called peaceful tetras and barbs.

If you are an active aquarist, meaning you pay attention to your fish daily and you have a back up plan(another tank) there is no reason in the world not to try these two puffers in a community setting. I have had a great deal of success with this and NO failures. The tank mates must be carefully chosen, though.

For the people that disagree, is your experience with these two puffer fish or with other species?

This is a quote from Tropical Fish Hobbyist, September 2007, referring to the colomesus asellus, page 105,

"Lively, peaceful, attractively colored, small size, easy to keep....Potential fin nippers.. They are neither piscivorous nor territorial...they will nip the fins of slow moving fishes"
End quote.

With the asellus in a community setting, success depends on a complex environment and a wise choice of tankmates. No angels, no bettas, or very long finned fish.

From my experience, and fascination with freshwater puffers, I would say the same about dwarf puffers.


Take a deep breath and count to ten before you reply, longhairedgit, I know we have different opinions on this. However, from your posts, I know you care about fish. I promise I do too, and pay close attention to them.

Your opinion regarding dwarf puffers is supported by Mike Hellweg and his recent report in TFH. He successfully bred these fish and kept quite a few of them without damage in a very small tank.