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

 

 

 

 

 

Warner College of Natural Resources

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”

 

 

 

 

 

Warner College of Natural Resources

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

 

 

 

 

 

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—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+