[partobe]

Hi Everyone.
Im considering making my new 27 gallon cube a species tank
Im thinking maybe 6 dwarf puffers. I was just wondering if anyone local has had experience with these fish? I have a few concerns about tank mates and how difficult it is to get them to eat frozen foods? Where is the best place to buy them here in nyc area?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Patrick

 

[jellie]

gtu2004 kept them for awhile

 

[Fuze]

I think pacific has them now.

I have 6 in my 55 gallon with angels, harlequin rasboras, cardinal tetras, cherry barbs, cories, and shrimp. No problems so far.

They have been feasting on my massive mts population, I haven't tried feeding them frozen bloodworms yet. I think they would be much more inclined to go after live foods from what I've seen, they're intelligent little critters.

 

[partobe]

thanks jellie Ill pvt msg him

 

[partobe]

Thanks Fuze
thats my concern. For some reason Ive never in over 20 yrs of fish keeping been able to keep snails alive. The only pet shop is a petland discount and they never have live food. I really want to do a tank of them but I dont want to get them if their just going to starve to death

 

[Monster Fish]

Thanks Fuze
thats my concern. For some reason Ive never in over 20 yrs of fish keeping been able to keep snails alive. The only pet shop is a petland discount and they never have live food. I really want to do a tank of them but I dont want to get them if their just going to starve to death

Just get some pond or bladder snails. They are pretty much unkillable and they can live in our soft water just fine. Also, add a bit of GH booster to your water and your snails should do better.

 

[partobe]

Thanks monster Fish do most pet shops (pacific, win) sell those types of snails? will def pick up gh booster

 

[VivaDaWolf]

You. Can buy mts 10 for$1 usually but many would give u pond snails for freee

 

[FlyPenFly]

They'll eat shrimp if you forget a feeding. They'll gang up on the shrimp and pick at it slowly painfully killing it in small chunks.

Six is a lot, they're voracious eaters and their food is messy. Expect a big spike in your ammonia levels. They'll require frequent water changes since they produce a lot of waste... when they poop its like they're pooping half their guts out.

Extremely cute though and highly interactive. they follow you around the tank and will eat off your finger.

 

[partobe]

Thanks VivaDaWolf
The more Im reading the more Im think I might consider something else Im not sure I would be able to keep enough live food to keep them alive but if I do buy them I will ask for snails

 

[partobe]

Thanks FlyPenFly
I dont think I could do that to the shrimp. These may not be the fish for me after all. Im glad Im doing the research before hand

 

[FlyPenFly]

I just feed mine frozen blood worms that I've thawed. They love it. I plan to introduce some small snails into their diet for once every 2 weeks treat.

As far as puffers go, these are the easiest to own.

 

[partobe]

Thanks FlyPenFly
I went on dwarf puffers .com and most eat frozen worms but alot will only eat live. Guess who I would get lol. I also found out 50% water changes every week. That sounds like alot of work. I have a 40 gallon and each week I change 10 gallon so you add another 15 gallons a week it starts to get over whelming.

 

[gtu2004]

Frozen or live, I think it really depends on the DPs as to which it prefers. I know all DPs would eat live worms. Mine were not interested in frozen bloodworms. But then I always had access to live blackworms so that didn't really become a problem.

For what it's worth, you get PLENTY of live blackworms for $1 from Aquastar in Chinatown. And that should last you a month or more for 6 puffers. Keep them in a small container with a couple strings of java moss and just put in the fridge. Mine live for a couple months depending on how "fresh" the worms are. Petland Discounts also have them but I think the portion starts from $2.99 there.

MTS are not really DP's favorite food. Pond snails are.

They are very cute though, and one of the most "personal" fish out there.

 

[VivaDaWolf]

Okay I bit the bullet and bought 3 puffers. They are going in with my community fish...if all else fails, you can take em LOL. I got them at pacific and they are voraciously eating frozen blood worms apparently.... we shall see. I actually bought some black worms too, but I didnt see the puffers eat any today.

 

[jellie]

Honestly I bet everyone here has ponds and rams. If you want some you probably only have to ask. I currently have Ramshorns in excess and will probably be asking a puffer owner to take them off my hands soon.

 

[thefisherman]

my puffer won't touch frozen or anything that isn't live. he'd actually starve himself unless i hand pick snails for him

conversely he would eat himself to death as long as there is live snails in his tank lol crazy little bugger

 

[partobe]

Thanks Gtu2004
I've kinda decided not to get them it takes me over an hr to get to China town. Plus 50% water changes every week seems a bit too much.

 

[partobe]

Thanks Vivadaeolf. Let me know how it goes. I'm really so torn.

 

[partobe]

Thanks jellie if for some reason I change my mind ill take you up on your offer