Dwarf Puffer + Nerite = ??? - Fish for the Planted Aquarium

Indignation · 06-13-2008, 11:47 AM

Hello! I recently set up a 5.5 gallon, high light high tech tank.(injected co2, EI dosing)
I did not properly adjust my co2 before going to work for a 48 hour shift, and came home to lots of GDA on everything.

the only occupant in the tank is a Dwarf Puffer. Would adding a Nerite snail to the tank be a disaster? or are they big enough for the puffer to leave alone? What about an oto, or a couple amanos?

Thanks.

rich_one · 06-13-2008, 11:49 AM

= dead nerite

= dead amanos

however, the ottos should be fine... in fact, it is the only other fish I have ever heard being successfully kept with dwarf puffers... not saying it is for sure, just the only other one I have personally heard of, and I have heard of several people keeping them with dwarf puffers.

good luck!

Indignation · 06-16-2008, 04:05 PM

Thanks for the reply rich_one.
Unfortunately, i missed your reply before the forum went down for maintenance, and learned the hard way Amanos are indeed a food source for dwarf puffers.

On the bright side, my puffer is fat and happy.
I didn't try a nerite, and i couldn't find a oto anywhere.

I ended up trying a Ancistrus Claro. (Gold Marble Bristlenose Pleco) They have worked out well in my other planted tank, being much easier on plants than most plecos, and they stay small (2.5" full grown). He has been in there for a couple days now, no nipped fins, no signs of stress, and he's eating algae.

I'll post an update in a couple weeks for long-term compatibility... here's hoping.

rich_one · 06-16-2008, 04:47 PM

please do update... I would be curious to see if the pleco surives, because I would think he is dead meat... but I could be very wrong! Good luck!

vancat · 06-18-2008, 08:39 AM

my puffers nipped the heck out of my rainbows.

Only got one left (couldn't catch it) and he seems to be behaving himself.

freshyleif · 06-18-2008, 08:56 AM

I have had dwarf puffers for about four years now and I think have never had a problem with them nipping my pleco's. The one thing that makes my situation different is that I have big tanks 50g and 80g for fish like dwarf puffers. I actually have five in my community 80g the fish that are the most bothered by the puffers are my rosy barbs and my 6" eclipse catfish who sits in one place all day unless one of the puffers comes down into his hiding place and nips his tale a few times then he gets real upset and goes tearing out and all around the tank for a while then settles back down into his place again. I think that even though the puffers are small if you want to have them share tank space with smaller or slower fish you need more space. Oh last thing they have never even looked at my ottos.

vancat · 06-18-2008, 09:26 AM

well...my tank's a 72 and the rainbows never stopped moving for a minute. Maybe there just weren't enough snails to keep 4 puffers happy, but there are for one. Plus I am feeding FD bloodworms daily which seems to be the only food he likes (besides snails & fins).

Indignation · 06-24-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich_one

please do update... I would be curious to see if the pleco surives, because I would think he is dead meat... but I could be very wrong! Good luck!

Unfortunately, rich_one was right. I went away for the weekend, upon returning found no sign of the pleco anywhere... would there be a body to find, or could the puffer have eaten it? it was approximately the same size as the puffer.

I gave in, and went with a couple oto's, which are co-existing well so far. We'll see, I'm starting to suspect my puffer has homicidal tendencies when I'm not around.

rich_one · 07-04-2008, 06:01 AM

puffers are homicidal anyway... you live and learn. sometimes you find a body, sometimes it decays pretty quickly. I have my tanks a long time, and sometimes a fish just disappears... lol.

good luck with the otos... again, keep us posted!

freshyleif · 07-04-2008, 08:41 AM

Ok so I just added some rainbows(4 boesemani and 4 irian) to my tank and I will be watching to see if the 4 dwarf puffers give them any trouble. I have always fed small live crickets to my glass cats, the puffers seem to be very happy with sharing and have never tried to nip them.