i have a 10 gal. tank with a filter rocks and a cave and plants with a dwarf puffer can i add a fish if so wat

Question

also do i still have to do water changes since i have a filter

its 1/2 inch but can be as big as 1 inch

its 1/2 inch but can be as big as 1 inch

how often do i change out the water?

Answer 1

how big is your dwarf puffer. the rule of thumb is one inch of tropical fish to each gallon. so if that thing is about 5 inches that takes up five gallons of free space for another fish. and would only suggesting getting one other fish no bigger than five inches. Also yes water changes are key to a healthy tank. Water changes and water testing.

Answer 2

Yes! You do need to change the water (though not ALL of it). You also need to clean the gravel. Get one of those "vacuums" that works by siphoning off the water, while simultaneously picking up junk (algae, fish poop) from the bottom. Make SURE you leave some water, so the bacteria can repopulate and the fish don't have to get used to completely new water.

Also, check the temperature of the water before adding it, making sure it is close to or equal to the usual aquarium temp.

As for adding fish. How long have you had that one? Usually, you should let one or two fish (max!) hang out for a couple weeks, setting up the "ecosystem" (bacteria, etc.), before adding any more. If add any more, the new fish will probably die, as there aren't enough bacteria to digest their waste.

A good rule of thumb is 1 inch of fish length per gallon of water...so ten, 1-inch fish maximum! Or...one ten-inch fish (not a good idea!).

Test your water frequently for pH, nitrogen and hardness and other elements (a good kit will tell you what to test). I'm not sure what puffer fish need...my husband had an aquarium so long ago! I think his puffer did well in a tank with African cichlids, who like more alkaline water, but I could be wrong.

After you've got everything set, add other fish gradually. Get a good book or go to a site which explains which fish are compatible. I THINK puffers can also get along w/common fish like swordtails and mollies. Make SURE you have some bottom feeders like catfish, to keep it clean!

It's always worth talking to someone in a pet store, but remember, some of them really don't know that much...they just work there! So ask around w/people who know about aquariums.

Good luck!

P.S. - Here's a link to a site on home aquariums

Answer 3

Generally you will need to use a cheap gravel vaccum to clean the gravel, and remove about 10% of the water weekly.

PS- Dwarf puffers tend to be very aggressive for their size. As someone put it they are "cute rolly polly angels of death". They tend to kill all community fish, and some semi-agressive fish. Even fish that are many times large. They love shrimp, and snails. Basiclly all you can have in a 10 gallon tank is more puffers, and hope they don't decide to kill each other.