1. Warner College of Natural Resources
Indian Dwarf Puffer
Jacqueline 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 Threatened in
2013
Introduction

2. 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

3. 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).

4. 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”

5. Warner College of Natural Resources
Life Cycle
Photos presented are thanks to experienced breed Frank Stopper from Germany.

6. 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

7. Warner College of Natural Resources
• Recirculating
• Ground water
• Site Selection
• Filters
• Aeration
• Temp, Disinfection, pH
Culture System—Adult & Breeding

8. Warner College of Natural Resources
• Recirculating
• Ground water
• Site Selection
• Filters
• Aeration
• Temp, Disinfection,
pH
Culture System—Adult & Breeding

9. Warner College of Natural Resources
• Recirculating
• Ground water
• Site Selection
• Filters
• Aeration
• Temp, Disinfection,
pH
Culture System—Juvenile/Fry
Juvenile/Fry**:
BiofilterSponge
Filter
pH
Disinfection
Aeration
PUMP
Temp

10. 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+