GSP's not growing

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Sterling
Dwarf Puffer
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GSP's not growing

Post by Sterling »

Hi everyone

I've had my gsp's for almost 3 years, even flying them with me when I moved. They are in a full marine 55g tank. I had 6, one sort of just wasted away, did make a post about it. Then I went on holiday and when I came back the person who was supposed to care for them did something, and 2 had died. So now I only have 3 left.

When I got them they were almost 2" now the biggest one is just under 4"???
Why aren't they growing?
I have always had them in at least a 50g, diet consists of prawns, squid, mealworms as a treat, bloodworms, mussels, lance fish, shrimp and pieces of fish.

Are they too crowded? Am I missing anything?
pokeystar
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Re: GSP's not growing

Post by pokeystar »

do you treat for internal parasites?
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Pufferpunk
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Re: GSP's not growing

Post by Pufferpunk »

You need a 90g for 3 adult GSPs. Could be stunted.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

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Sterling
Dwarf Puffer
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Joined: Tue Sep 03, 2013 4:30 pm
Location (country): South Africa

Re: GSP's not growing

Post by Sterling »

I haven't treated for parasites in a while because they don't look skinny to me.
They have a huge amount of space, I can understand if they were stunted because they were in a 20gal but they are not crowded.

Please excuse the algae
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eieio
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Re: GSP's not growing

Post by eieio »

Sterling wrote:Hi everyone

I've had my gsp's for almost 3 years, even flying them with me when I moved. They are in a full marine 55g tank. I had 6, one sort of just wasted away, did make a post about it. Then I went on holiday and when I came back the person who was supposed to care for them did something, and 2 had died. So now I only have 3 left.

When I got them they were almost 2" now the biggest one is just under 4"???
Why aren't they growing?
I have always had them in at least a 50g, diet consists of prawns, squid, mealworms as a treat, bloodworms, mussels, lance fish, shrimp and pieces of fish.

Are they too crowded? Am I missing anything?
even under the best of circumstances:
6 in a 55 gallon is about 4 too many
3 in a 55 gallon is almost 2 too many
1 in a 55 gallon is optimum
for optimum health & growth, they need that much room
also, probably not growth related, but fish aren't ordinarily part of a GSPs diet
"I plan ahead. That way, I don't have to do anything right now!"
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Sterling
Dwarf Puffer
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Joined: Tue Sep 03, 2013 4:30 pm
Location (country): South Africa

Re: GSP's not growing

Post by Sterling »

Oh ok according to the pufferpedia 30gal is ok for a single gsp? Ok won't feed them lancefish anymore just saw it in the frozen food list, also known as silversides. Sorry if I'm sounding full of it. Just angry because I thought I was caring well for them.

But thanks for all the replies. Unfortunately I don't have space for a bigger tank. Is there any physical signs of stunting I could look for?
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eieio
Mbu Puffer
Posts: 1033
Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2009 11:34 am
My Puffers: *
The Congo Puffer:
"olivia"
and.......
The DP:
"cream puff"
RIP cream puff :-(
Location (country): U.S.A.
Location: Prescott, Arizona

Re: GSP's not growing

Post by eieio »

Sterling wrote:Oh ok according to the pufferpedia 30gal is ok for a single gsp? Ok won't feed them lancefish anymore just saw it in the frozen food list, also known as silversides. Sorry if I'm sounding full of it. Just angry because I thought I was caring well for them.

But thanks for all the replies. Unfortunately I don't have space for a bigger tank. Is there any physical signs of stunting I could look for?
slow growth, poor health, susceptibility to disease
also, crowding isn't just about the human-perceived amount of swimming space
it also involves bioload, territorial issues, and other factors that affect overall health & longevity
"I plan ahead. That way, I don't have to do anything right now!"
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