Two dog faced puffers

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csababubbles

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Would two dog faced puffers (one solomon islands black and other regular dogface) get along in a 125 tank if they were sole inhabitants? What size would they be before too large for the tank in terms of size (assuming biofiltration is sufficient)? Would they have territory issues?
 
I can't speak about the two being together, however each would be very tolerant of other Puffers. They have been kept with a variety of other Puffers (providing the others are not more assertive than this fish).

Generally the fish is shy, hates nets, and needs a lot of space. I don't think the 125 is necessarily wrong, but its size for two of these kinds of Puffers may just not be enough room in the long run. They will each exceed 1 foot in length and I would prefer seeing one alone in the 125.
 
Well, a 125g is to small anyhow. But i wouldn't suggest putting two in there. They are territorial when it comes to like shapped puffers. They will do fine with other species like the porkipine's and toby's. They are very cool fish though, great personalities. Not to strong of swimmers though! And remember what works for one dfp doesn't for another as they all have different personalities.
 
Lee,

When you say:

I can't speak about the two being together, however each would be very tolerant of other Puffers. They have been kept with a variety of other Puffers (providing the others are not more assertive than this fish).

Are you saying you don't know how they act with same species but they are usually compatible with different species puffers? Or are you saying you can't speak for my two specific puffer's individual personalities?
 
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Luke, I have had bad experience with porcupine puffers. Many people, myself included, have found them to eventually be aggressive towards dog-faced puffers, resulting in one of them having to be removed. i know my porcupine puffer was great with my panda puffer for a while but one day flipped. But I read that dogfaced are chill when it comes to puffers but none of the books talk about same species compatibility hence my asking for personal experience. You've had or seen dogfaced puffers interact in tanks? What size tanks, puffers, etc?
 
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Sorry I wasn't more clear. These Puffers, as a group, get along with other Puffers (different species) very well, providing the other species is not a very dominant, assertive, or aggressive type. These Puffers are relatively shy and lay back.

I don't have experience with the species being kept with each other as adults. I've kept them together for short intervals as juveniles without problems, as far as I could tell.

There is always the personality factor. But in these Puffers, I have yet to come across an aggressive or even an assertive one. Their personalities seem consistent. With age and time, personalities may express that lay hidden at the onset. But I wouldn't let personalities get in the way of putting them together.

Bottom line is that I think they will get along together. Be prepared with 'Plan B' to separate them, however. :)

Share your experience if you do decide to put two together.
 
Luke, I have had bad experience with porcupine puffers. Many people, myself included, have found them to eventually be aggressive towards dog-faced puffers, resulting in one of them having to be removed. i know my porcupine puffer was great with my panda puffer for a while but one day flipped. But I read that dogfaced are chill when it comes to puffers but none of the books talk about same species compatibility hence my asking for personal experience. You've had or seen dogfaced puffers interact in tanks? What size tanks, puffers, etc?

I think the biggest thing is the puffer's personallity. I've seen people keep a dfp with a pork for 3+ yrs before going reef. I've personally had a dfp for 3+ yrs with valentini puffer's, blue spot puffers, triggers...etc. I've never had a pork and a dfp together. If i did have the two together i'd run a 300g tank a sthey will need the room. DFP's are one of the cooler puffers out there.
 

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