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black bellied gsp - constantly

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2016 7:44 pm
by nicole82
Hi guys,
Just thought I'd ask around for some ideas and advice please, I have a gsp which I've had around three years now. In a suitably large brackish tank with plenty of foliage and hiding places etc. All parameters are fine, no ammonia etc (regular testing and water changes) and no tankmates. He is well fed with a wide variety of meaty foods. All in all should be no problems. But for a few months now his belly has been black, well, mostly black sometimes with a white strip down the middle but predominantly black. At first I was very worried, but he is very active exploring all the time, not glass surfing and he eats like a pig with much enthusiasm. I can't see how he would be stressed or unhappy and his behaviour doesn't suggest that either. Anyone got any ideas as to why he has turned black and stayed that way? If he was dying or something I imagine he would have done so by now, or at least be displaying some ailments. His tail is fanned out nicely, not clamped, and his top colour is bright. Also no sign of any skin disease etc. I just don't know what to do about it. Since black is usually assosciated with stress but I can't think of any reason for it. thanks in advance for any advice offered :)

Re: black bellied gsp - constantly

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2016 12:16 am
by Pufferpunk
[welcome]
A dark belly down't always mean a sign of anything amiss. Mine used to get that way every meal. If he's acting/eating normally, I wouldn't worry. What's the SG?

Re: black bellied gsp - constantly

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2016 2:53 am
by sgtmyers88
Yeah if this has persisted for a while but the puffer seems "normal" it may just be a personality/behavioral trait maybe? Each puffer will be different. I have one which does this too. The others never have though.

Re: black bellied gsp - constantly

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2016 3:10 am
by nicole82
Sg is 1.012
Thanks guys, your replies seem reassuring so far. Yeah he behaves like he's a happy guy, so I've come to think that this is just normal (except it's not normally normal for other puffers. I wonder about the salinity sometimes as opinions vary a great deal on what's ideal for them.

Re: black bellied gsp - constantly

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2016 9:31 am
by Pufferpunk
That SG is fins as a juvie but eventually, you'll want a marine environment for him.

Re: black bellied gsp - constantly

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2016 5:12 pm
by nicole82
im planning on slowly upping it to full marine but didn't want to do it too early. ive had him for about three years but im cautious, and not entirely sure what constitutes a fully grown adult, and how soon he should be making the change to full marine

Re: black bellied gsp - constantly

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 1:52 am
by sgtmyers88
I converted mine from fresh to full marine within 6-8 months after getting them.

Re: black bellied gsp - constantly

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 9:03 am
by Blinkey
As sgtmyers says, you can convert them to full marine quite early.
I acclimated mine straight to 1.023 within 12 hrs from a starting level of 1.008 sg (kept at lfs). My puff is only a little over 2 inches, so it is likely quite young.