regarding dwarf puffers..?

Question

What is the best filter that I can use for dwarf puffers. Right now, I use a Tetra Whisper Filter for my red-eared slider turtles. Is this filter be good for dwarf puffers? Thanks!

Answer 1

Somehow your puffer question got put into "reptiles".

Two things you should consider when getting a filter for a puffer tank (well, maybe 3).

First, puffers are very intolerant of ammonia or nitrite in their water, so you want something with lots of surface area for bacteria. This can be something with a biowheel (expensive, but good), or an Aquaclear (cheap, but equally good). The latter has a large foam insert that the bacteria can grow on, rather than the revolving wheel (which can get stuck if gunk build up on the ends of the wheel, or the water gets too low for the flow to turn the wheel). Be sure to cycle the tank your puffers will be in before you get them, and no tankmates - they become aggressive as they mature and like to eat the fins on other fish.

Second, puffers aren't fast swimmers. They don't have the use of the tail fin to swim as do most streamlined fish - they only tend to use it to steer, and use the side fins to move. They don't do well in fast current, so the filter should have a way to adjust the amount of flow.

The last is the size of the parts that are in the water - any puffer has a tendency to try an chew anything it can get its mouth around. The way their teeth are formed, they have to constantly chew to wear their teeth down in order to eat properly. Keep an eye on the strainer on the intake so it doesn't get chewed through (and keep all electrical cords out of the water!).