The Puffer Forum

Welcome!
Everything you need to know is in the 1st post here.

Welcome! What puffer species are you keeping?

Please start a new thread here & answer all the questions in red: viewforum.php?f=3

Your tank was uncycled & still is! I would get some Tetra Safestart, do a 90% water change & add the product to your filter. Get an API Master Test Kit & check for Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate & pH. Until all those remain stable for at least 3 weeks, forget about adding salt. https://www.thepufferforum...

You definitely need a test kit, as your tank is overstocked. You should be showing nitrate. What test kit are you using?

DPs don't get dentistry issues. Are you sure it's not a deformity?

Those photos are not coming through. I agree--a 65 is a waste of a tank for these guys. Even my 45g barely get's used by my 6" fellow. He actually was fine in a 29g but with the fish rearrangement, he wound up in a bigger tank.

Hi, welcome!

At this age, he belongs in a 30g MINIMUM & he is stunted. What test kits are you using? You should be showing nitrate.

How EXACTLY did you cycle this tank? Was the pufer at that same salinity at the store? Jumping your salinity from 1.000 FW) to 1.008, will surely crash the bacterial support of your fish. GSPs often swim from FW-SW in 1 day, so putting in FW (especially acclimated for 2 hours) is no issue at at all.

YAY!

I would feed daily to a slightly-rounded belly, skipping 1 day/week or 3-4 days on, then skip.
library/puffers-in-focus/fig8/

Bigger is ALWAYS better! Glad he's doing better.

Hi Frank, Welcome!
Very best way to get your puffer to be comfortable in the open is to have a TON of decor to retreat to. Be sure to approach s-l-o-w-l-y.

F8s are best kept at SG of 1.003-5, so don't wast your $$$ on $alt.

Sorry, I just saw this. What did you decide to do? Damselfish are schooling species. I would look into some much smaller fish or shrimp.