Dwarf Puffer
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Transcript of 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
Warner College of Natural Resources
• 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
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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).
Warner College of Natural Resources
Breeding
• Aggressive temperament • Lots of cover• Harems• Sexing• Behavior• Eggs
Male dwarf puffer
Female dwarf puffer
Harem
“Nest of love”
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Life Cycle
Photos presented are thanks to experienced breed Frank Stopper from Germany.
Warner College of Natural Resources
• 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
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• Recirculating• Ground water• Site Selection• Filters• Aeration• Temp, Disinfection, pH
Culture System—Adult & Breeding
Warner College of Natural Resources
• Recirculating• Ground water• Site Selection• Filters• Aeration• Temp, Disinfection,
pH
Culture System—Adult & Breeding
Warner College of Natural Resources
• Recirculating• Ground water• Site Selection• Filters• Aeration• Temp, Disinfection,
pH
Culture System—Juvenile/Fry
Juvenile/Fry**:
Biofilter Sponge
Filter
pH
Disinfection
Aeration
PUMP
Temp
Warner College of Natural Resources
• 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+