Selecting fish for a new tank

Question
Hi I have recently installed a 35 litre tropical tank at home which I hope to be stocking with fish soon. I was looking at getting two dwarf puffer fish, four neon tetras and ideally a bottom feeder such as a pleco. My problem has been trying to find a bottom feeder that doesn't grow to enormous lengths and will have to be rehomed in a year.

Do you know of any bottom feeders or dwarf catfish that would be siutable for this size tank? Also, I really want to get the dwarf puffers but know that they can be aggresive sometimes. If I had these two how many other fish and of what size would you recommend would be my limit. The tanks dimensions are 40wx28dx33h.

Answer
Hi Carly;

The first thing you need to know about is new tank syndrome. Here is my web page about it to help you understand more;

http://www.xanga.com/Expert_Fish_Help

If you really want to keep dwarf puffers you really have to keep them alone. They are not community fish at all. They are very cute but they have very sharp teeth and will take chunks out of your neons and other fish too. They just get nippy, it's their nature. Puffers of all types should be in a puffer-only tank. Maybe with bottom feeders, but it's still risky. Here is a good web page all about them that gives you all the details of their care and keeping;

http://www.dwarfpuffers.com/

Possible bottom feeder and algae eater choices; Plecos all get too big for your little tank and it doesn't take a year for that to happen really. They need a lot of room to move around and they are actually big waste producers. They really aren't bottom feeders anyway, but they do eat algae. You could try cory cats but provide plenty of hiding places for them to get away from the puffers when they need to. Cories like to be in schools of at least three to be happy. The best choice for an algae eater in a small tank with dwarf puffers is a little guy known as "Otocinclus". They are very quick so they are able to get away and hide. Here is a web page about them;

http://www.otocinclus.com/intro.html

Each Dwarf Puffer needs two or three gallons (8 to 12 liters) all for itself. That means your tank could keep up to 3 or 4 of them. But, if it's maxed-out with puffers there's no room for otocinclus or cories. If you continue with your plan and have two dwarf puffers you could then add two otocinclus, OR three cories (not both types) and that would be about all.

Have fun!

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins