16 Gallon...what now?

achase

achase

Large Fish
#1
Feb 1, 2010
765
0
0
British Columbia, Canada
#1
So today my last dwarf puffer died....
I was quite surprised by the deaths of my dp's. I was treating them for internal parasites and they were starting to look good.
Then my thinner dp died a couple weeks ago, so I thought maybe I was too late with the treatment. The dp that died today got really skinny within a couple of days (quite plump before).

Anyways, I now have an empty 16 gallon tank (expect for an unknown number of cherry shrimp).
Suggestions? Should I get more dp's (I have had DP's for like 5 years now) or should I upgrade to a South American puffer? Should I go a totally different route?
I'm happy to have only one or two fish in this tank...I already have a community tank. I don't want a betta...I did that for a couple of years, a few years back.
 

FishDad

FishDad

Superstar Fish
#2
Mar 4, 2012
1,218
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Cleveland
#2
Hmm tough tank size. If it were me I would go with the puffers again, they seem to be the most interesting fish for that tank. Btw I am currently battling internal parasites myself (for my fish, not me), if you don't mind me asking, what did you treat them with?
 

achase

achase

Large Fish
#7
Feb 1, 2010
765
0
0
British Columbia, Canada
#7
Hmm tough tank size. If it were me I would go with the puffers again, they seem to be the most interesting fish for that tank. Btw I am currently battling internal parasites myself (for my fish, not me), if you don't mind me asking, what did you treat them with?
Click to expand...
I'm glad your not battling internal parasites! Lol! I was using metronidazole from Seachem. I was mixing the medication with bloodworms and the dwarf puffers didn't seem to notice.
I was careful to minimize any uneaten food, because I have shrimp in my tank. The mixing ratio is an art not a science for me. Does anyone have a good mixing ratio?

I thought that maybe my dwarf puffers died from an overdose, but I had stopped treatment two weeks prior to my last dwarf puffers death. I would think that if they were going to die from overdose it would be during treatment rather than two weeks later. Anyone disagree?

I have also heard of Gel-Tek being used for internal parasites. Anyone familiar with this product?

FreshyFresh said:
Ah man, that is a shame!
How long did you have this particular batch of puffers?
Do they require special water parameters?
Joel
Click to expand...
Ummm....I think I had these two for about two years. I believe dwarf puffers are supposed to live 5+ years.
Dwarf puffers are sensitive to copper (as all puffers are), are really messy eaters (need good water quality) and can be aggressive (3-5+ gallons per dp).
This are my favorite sites regarding puffers: The Puffer Forum and Dwarf Puffers

This link has a lot of not-so-common fish that will work in a nano tank.
Fishalicious: Perfect Fish for the Nano
If you can provide the live foods they need, Indostomus crocodilus are really cool fish!
Click to expand...
What a great website! I'm not sure if I could handle having live food around.

***
I'm torn about getting more dwarf puffers...well not really. I know that is soon as I go into the LFS and see some I will buy them. Lol. I really do love dwarf puffers...so much personality. Hopefully, any new dwarf puffers I buy won't eat my shrimp. I will keep you guys posted on what I decide to do.

What are people's thoughts on having two GBRs in a 36 gallon tank? I have lots of plants (hiding places as well) and a small school of random tetras. Plus a couple bottom feeders (kuhlis and bristlenose).
 

Last edited:
achase

achase

Large Fish
#8
Feb 1, 2010
765
0
0
British Columbia, Canada
#8
FishDad,

Quote from The Puffer Forum: Article

If the fish is eating, take a small container or cup and add about a teaspoon of tank water. Add one measure of the Metronidazole powder using the included measuring scoop, and one measure of the Levamisole powder. If you bought tablet form or did not get the Metronidazole with the measuring scoop, you are aiming for around 100mg of each, so you may have to estimate how much of a tablet to use and crush it prior to adding to the water. Stir the water and medication mix until most of the medication is dissolved, and add your food of choice. Let the food soak for at least a few minutes, — longer is better — and feed the normal amount to your fish.
Click to expand...
 

misterking

misterking

Superstar Fish
#11
Aug 12, 2008
1,124
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Manchester, UK
www.facebook.com
#11
Two GBRs in a 36 gallon sounds ideal. I do love rams. Have you decided what to do with your 16 yet? There are plenty of nano fish you could go for... it might be nice to have a change from the DPs but they are super cute! I've got a soft spot for mini rasboras, that's what'll be going in my 9g eventually, and you've got way more space than me!
 

achase

achase

Large Fish
#12
Feb 1, 2010
765
0
0
British Columbia, Canada
#12
Awesome! I wanted to confirm that it was ok to have two GBRs, even though I already bought them (a few weeks ago). Lol.
I will post some pictures of them later.

I think I'm going to be more DPs. I went into my LFS yesterday and they said they would be getting some in tomorrow.
I just love DPs too much to not have any. My goal is to treat them right away for IPs and then do regular treatments every couple of months just to make sure.
I want these guys to live for 5+ years!!! I will post pictures when I get them. I'm thinking about getting 3 DPs....giving them each about 5 gallons.
 

O

OrangeCones

Elite Fish
#13
Feb 27, 2009
4,395
0
36
#13
I've never had a DP with internal parasites. I guess I've been lucky. I have 3 in my community tank now and as they've matured, I find I have 2 girls and a boy. The girls hunt side-by-side and are always seen together. The male hunts alone and always moves off when 'the girls' swim by. I guess I know who wears the 'pants' in the tank!
 

achase

achase

Large Fish
#14
Feb 1, 2010
765
0
0
British Columbia, Canada
#14
So my 16 gallon is still empty besides a large colony of snails and rapidly growing population of cherry shrimp (yay!).
I went away to South Korea so I did not want to buy any new fish in case there were problems (my mom was babysitting the tanks - no one died). Currently, I'm debating about getting more DP's or a betta. I want a cool center piece fish that "cannot" be put into a community tank, but won't eat my shrimp (I love them). I hate stocking tanks...too many choices. I'm worried about getting DP's that will go after the baby shrimp. Do betta's eat/hunt shrimp?

This is a picture of my 16 gallon tank. IMG_1606.jpg
 

CAPSLOCK

CAPSLOCK

Elite Fish
#17
Jul 19, 2004
3,682
33
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Cape Cod
#17
I would think reasonably sized shrimp would be fine with a betta, but newly hatched would possibly be eaten. It's planted enough that you would probably have some survivors anyways.

Depending on what you have available to feed, what about one of the small interesting little fish available now: Scarlet badis (Dario dario), or one of the less common small gouramis (licorice, sparkling, chocolate). Scarlet badis are adorable looking but can be difficult to feed.
 

CAPSLOCK

CAPSLOCK

Elite Fish
#19
Jul 19, 2004
3,682
33
48
39
Cape Cod
#19
Good to know, I hadn't found that anywhere reading about them. Just that they were picky eaters, which crossed them off my list. How do you find yours to be, food-wise?
 

FreshyFresh

FreshyFresh

Superstar Fish
#20
Jan 11, 2013
1,337
23
38
East Aurora, NY
#20
That is a beautiful tank. Great work!

I hear you on stocking. The possible combos are endless and as soon as you've got something in there, you'll see or read about something else that tickles your fancy.

A nice school of small tetras or rasboras and a male betta?

Several colorful female bettas are great too.
 

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