Dwarf Puffer

Warner College of Natural Resources

Indian Dwarf PufferJacqueline Wyer & Serena Mares

• Popular “exotic” ornamental• Hardy and can be cultured by first

timers. • Purely freshwater from SW India• These fish are known for their

charismatic nature—being social, extremely curious, sly smiles, and their cute size.

• Listed under IUCN as Threatenedin 2013

Introduction


• Found in lakes and slow moving rivers in subtropical India

• Tons of vegetation• Low-medium light levels• Tolerant of varying

conditions—monsoon season (changes in temp, pH, hardness)

• Ideal conditions: Table 1

Environment


Environment

Conditions Adults Breeding Juveniles

Food Live, frozen Live only Micro-live

Temperature 25-29 °C 25-29 °C 25-29 °C

pH 6.8-7.8 6.5-7 6.5-7

DO 6.1-6.6 mg/L 6.1-6.6 mg/L 6.1-6.6 mg/L

Alkalinity 10° dH 8° dH 8-10° dH

Salinity 0ppm 0ppm 0ppm

Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate 0/0/<10 mg/L 0/0/<10 mg/L 0/0/<10 mg/L

Substrate gravel, sand sand none

Photoperiod 10 h 10 h Daytime (~12 h)

Cover Filled with

vegetation

Filled with

vegetation

None – some

vegetation

Stocking Density 10 L/fish 1 male, 2-3

female

Same brood

Table 1. Environment and Water Conditions necessary for dwarf puffers at different life stages. DO = dissolved oxygen. dH is degrees of hardness of the water. Micro-live food means tiny size and live feed only (Jayalekshmy, 2012).


Breeding

• Aggressive temperament • Lots of cover• Harems• Sexing• Behavior• Eggs

Male dwarf puffer

Female dwarf puffer

Harem

“Nest of love”


Life Cycle

Photos presented are thanks to experienced breed Frank Stopper from Germany.


• Primarily live food—can do frozen (NOTE: NOT freeze-dried)

• Snails, Bloodworms, red and white mosquito larvae, and Daphnia; vinegar eels

• NO: Flakes or pellets—poor nutrition

• Breeding and Juveniles live feed ONLY

• Treats: freshwater shrimp

Diet


• Recirculating• Ground water• Site Selection• Filters• Aeration• Temp, Disinfection, pH

Culture System—Adult & Breeding


• Recirculating• Ground water• Site Selection• Filters• Aeration• Temp, Disinfection,

pH

Culture System—Adult & Breeding


• Recirculating• Ground water• Site Selection• Filters• Aeration• Temp, Disinfection,

pH

Culture System—Juvenile/Fry

Juvenile/Fry**:

Biofilter Sponge

Filter

pH

Disinfection

Aeration

PUMP

Temp


• Dependent on demand—how many harems to breed• Example:

Profit & Investment

• With fish selling at $2.00 to distributors

• Profit $6240+• Final profit

after initial investment (not including cost of tank setups) would be around $4,410+.

• In a few years make a profit

• Cost of bought feed:• $4 for 3 puffers—live food (rinsed

and refrigerated)—last 2-3 wk• 200 fish about $267+ for food

to last 2-3 weeks (not including juvenile feeding).

• Every 3 weeks $267+ spent on live food is about $4,641+/year

• $5-$10 frozen food, 3 puffers, no determined shelf life.• $7000/year

• Cost of cultured feed:• Vinegar eels: $65 (upkeep cost:

apple)• Snails: $40+ • Daphnia: $180+

Dwarf Puffer

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Dwarf Puffer