Puffer tank..

jentralala

I have a few questions about DPs, and I'm hoping you guys can help me out a bit?

I usually see people have several per tank, is this necessary or could one do just fine in a 10gallon?
You mentioned keeping shrimp in the tank as a constant source of food - the puffers are quite small, would it be possible to also keep snails in the tank as well, if they are colonized first, so with several adults constantly breeding there is a constant supply of snails? Or would this not work/have negative repercussions?

They only eat live food, but what live food is the best? I'm looking at starting up a white worm culture for my main tank, and if it works, then seriously look at a puffer tank. I'm also starting up a mosquito larvae culture in spring, would they eat them? What about daphnia?

Also, on shrimp in soft water...I live near a river, and naturally the water is on the softer side. A while back I was gathering some plants and of course filled a bucket from the river. Later on I just about jumped out of my skin as I was sorting my plants to see that the water had like 10 shrimp in it.
Would it be safe/possible to start up a culture of these guys?

Boredomb

Hey Jentralala One Dwarf Puffer in a 10 gallon is fine. There shouldn't be any problems with that.

When you first get Dwarf puffers 99% of they time they won't take anything but live worms and snails. They will eat Live blackworms, White worms, and maybe grindal worms. I am not sure Mosquito larva they would probably eat them to. If you are going to start a culture of them for other fish I would certainly try them. They are nutritional for fish and I would imagine that wouldn't be any different for puffers. They can be taught to eat baby shrimp such as RCS. They might not at first so be sure to have a backup food ready. This is something I am going to try later down the road when my Java Moss gets bigger as it will provide a hiding spot for the shrimp.

Puffers absolutely LOVE snails and will eat them all day long. They are a natural food source for them. With that said its not possible to a colony going of them in the same tank as a Puffer. One would wipe them out in a day or a couple of days depending on the size of the colony of snails. I have a separate tank for breeding snails for this reason. It *might* be possibly if you use Malaysian trumpet snails as they borrow through the substrate and can hide there from the puffers.

I have always been told/read that Dwarf puffers will eat Daphnia and they might for some. Mine wouldn't touch them though they were frozen. Maybe they would have if they were alive. This is a good food source for them if you can get them to take them. They can be taught to take frozen foods as mine takes frozen bloodworms now.

Some shrimp need harder water to survive. I don't know much about them just what I have read. As for the shrimp you found in your local water ways. I wouldn't have a clue if you could get them to breed in an aquarium or not. What color are they? Are they clear? This a question for someone else who knows shrimp Sorry on that not much help.

jentralala

Thanks so much for all the advice! I'm really starting to consider a puffer as they are so cute, but I want to get a couple of food sources going plus get the tank up and super planted. I've heard so many horror stories about puffers not eating that I'm terrified of that happening.
The shrimp were clear, but had some brown/tan in their coloration. If that makes sense. They were pretty small, but large enough that I could pick them out of the water. They scared me a bit at first haha.

Will they eat any kind of snail? I have tons of Rams in my pond, I could get a culture of both rams and pond going, if they can eat those.

Boredomb

Dwarf puffers are some fun. They have some much personality like a lil swimming dog!

As long as you have live worms and snails ahead of tine you can't go wrong. I haven't seen a puffer turn down one of those yet. After that you can try to get them on frozen if you like.

Btw I think the shrimp you are talking about is Eastern Grass Shrimp - Palaemonetes paludosus.
I could be wrong but that's what it sounds like. Google the name and look at the pics and see.

Dwarf Puffers will eat any snails that they can get into. Snails with trap doors though make it kinda difficult for DPs to eat so bare that in mind. I haven't had Ramshorn snails but once and can't remember if they have trap doors or not. The pond snails will be fine.
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Andarial

Ramshorn are fine for them to eat ^^ it's really easy for my puffers to suck them down

Boredomb

This is my snails tank. It has exploded with snails! LOTS OF THEM!!!!



I added a piece of driftwood that I found at my LFS the other day. I just need to order some new plants and it will be good to go.



All the specs in this pic are all baby snails both Malaysian trumpet and Bladder snails.

Boredomb

I got $150 for Christmas. So I bought a new Glass lid for my 29 gallon a new Light bulb for my 10 gallon and that piece of wood. That leaves me with enough money to still buy my plants i am wanting.

Last night I was putting on some saran wrap of the tank under my glass cover. This is so the humidity will stay up for those who were wondering. While doing this I stepped on my bran new light bulb. Grrrr....... Thats $8 down the drain and it probably wouldn't be soo bad but I spent like 3 hours last week trying to find light bulbs for both of my tanks and the 18" T8 is the only one i managed to find and now its freaking broke!!!!

Andarial

Awww I'm sorry about the light Boredomb, I have broken lights too before I even put them in and it frustrates me so.

I love your snails tank, I need more snails but am waiting until my betta's fins get better before buying more.

Boredomb

I was fixing to put the bulb in too LoL. I was soo mad at the time I did it. I plan on going and getting another one today and *hopefully* I won't break this one!
I also plan on doing some rearranging in both tanks along with some plant trimmings at the same time since I have to do a wc.

Chesherca

I was holding my breath there - for a moment I thought you were going to say you stepped on the new glass lid! I'm just the sort of person to do the same - on bulbs OR lids, so I feel your pain! HUZZAH for tank spending money, sounds like you had a very merry Christmas!