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I have recently added a rtbs to my puffer/otto tank. The rtbs seems to be getting along great with the puffers, they kind of pal around its funny. I will observe over the next few days and see how they are doing but i think the rtbs is a nice addition to my tank.

How large is the tank?

29 us gallon

It's too small for a RTBS IMO. They should be fine for now, as RTBS's are mean fish in their own right, and can look out for themselves.

well everything seems fine now and i doubt i will move it unless i see a problem. a 29 gallon isnt any worse then the little tank full of sharks it was in.

1)You can't compare your stocking levels to those that are present in a fish store. In those places, they are merely temporary holding tanks and they also have filtration that consists of pool filters to make sure all the tanks are adequately filtered...

2)Dwarf puffers are the worst nippers that I've ever seen. I've never seen a tiger barb, serpae tetra, or long-finned danio that could hold a candle to the nipping talents of dwarf puffers. I used to have two dwarf puffers in a tank that had my RTS in it, and not only were they able and willing to nip my RTS, they also damaged the fins of a gold barb and a cherry barb in the same tank. They even went after a couple neon tetras and actually were able to screw with the tail of one of those too...

My recommendation about the shark is to not have it in that tank. I know that you feel like you're helping it because you're taking it out of that tank at the fish store, but the 29 gallon tank will stunt its growth (imagine your insides growing and your outsides not) and with time, the puffers will destroy its fins. The best solution for the current situation is to either get another tank (of at least 40 gallons) or to return the RTS. Unfortunately, that is the best thing to do for the fish himself. I know it's not easy to get rid of a fish that you've already grown attached to, and I'm not judging you, your fishkeeping abilities, or anything else, I'm merely advising what is best for the fish and for you so that you don't get upset if something were to happen to that RTS...

PM/email/msg me if you have any questions/comments regarding me or my knowledge or if you want me to read a thread.

rtbs grows to a max of 4.5 inches.......where is the problem in a 29 gallon? and as for the puffers not one of them has nipped at him.

all my puffers are actually rather peaceful, every once and a while they get a little teritorial with eachother but most of the time they just swim around the tank together in a single file line.

Last edited by Azrael_Darkness at 18-Nov-2004 15:33

RTBSs won't stunt in a 29, but they are fairly rowdy and don't seem to like the company of other bottom dwellers, like, say, the ottos. If things are fine, I guess there's nothing to worry about, but IMO, you're fully stocked if not over.

Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 18-Nov-2004 23:13

I'm not sure where you got the information that RTS max out at 4.5", but my 6.5" RTS would probably disagree with that information. As for whether they would stunt in a 29, it wouldn't be a guarantee, but it's not enough swimming room either way...

If your puffers haven't nipped anything yet, then I'm glad to hear it. Unfortunately, all I can do is pass on my own personal experiences and the experiences of others that I have heard, and in every single case that I have seen dwarf puffers, they have nipped the fins of all of their tankmates with time. They are cute little fish, just mean little guys...

Either way, what I recommend isn't going to determine what goes in your tank. It is your tank and it will be stocked with whatever fish you want to put in it. All I can do is recommend those fish/conditions that I have found to be best for the fish and keeper as well. I hope all goes well with your tank no matter what you decide to put in it...

PM/email/msg me if you have any questions/comments regarding me or my knowledge or if you want me to read a thread.

yea i understand and i thank you for your input.

I'm not sure where you got that fish, but it sure as heck ain't an epelzeorhynchus bicolor (spelling?), which only grow to 12 centimeters tops, according to Mills and Vevers, two fairly reliable icthyologists who frequent the mekong area. Actually, I should say grew, as they are now officially declared extinct in the wild. . Poor guys.
Also, IME of keeping RT sharkminnows, they have never exceeded 4, and oh, I'd say, a third of an inch in length, so I'd vouch for the above statement. As for dwarf puffers, a surprising amount of people have kept them in community settings without any problems, especially when the lesser dwarf puff (Carinotetraodon imitator) is involved. Personally, I've had them with tiger barbs, gambuzis, BBGs, and khulies with no problems. If your puffs are full grown by now, you shouldn't have any problems.


EDIT: Spelling and content.



Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 19-Nov-2004 20:35

I do have a dwarf puffer in a tank with approximately 15 tetras and he's never bothered any of them...he has his little spot and yea if they swim near it he will get defensive but they quickly back off soooo, that's just my experience.
Take it for what it's worth, LOL.

Good luck!

RTBS will stunt in a 29g ive seen a couple over 6 inches.

are you people thinking of a different breed? the common ones seen in lfs are 4.5" max according to their signs and reading on the internet