Can a GSP get lonely?

[swapperz]

We have two GSP's. But we're thinking of giving one of them away. So my question is, if it is better to have two GSP's in a big tank (250+ltrs) or one GSP in a smaller tank?(112 ltrs)

[Jase]

I think it's really just your personal preference. GSP don't really get lonely, and actually need at least 30gal to themselves (which I'm sure you already know). If it were me, I'd keep them in the 250, and then you could maybe even have a few other fish with them. do you have any other fish with them now?

[StormySkiez]

Are they not getting along?

[sparks42]

Why do you want to give one away?
I would for sure keep it !!!
Unless they are bugging eachother or something...

[swapperz]

Its because we've talked about getting rid of both of them. We've had a really hard time trying to make them comfortable. But I have a "connection" to one of them. So I dont really feel like getting rid of it. Its not that I dont like the other one. It just doesnt really seem to be completly happy. And I might have someone to give it to, that already has GSP's.

And I dont want to give up on puffers completly, because I really love the little things

[Agnate]

Yeah, they can get needy, for sure. How big are they, and what is the salt level in your tank? They might not be as "happy" if the salt is a little lower than what they'd normally migrate to.

What kind of things have you found hard about keeping them comfortable?

[swapperz]

Ill measure the saltlevel and get back to you on that one. Tomorrow is water change day, so we'll measure it again tomorrow.

I think its because we first got them from a LFS who sold them as FW fish. And then I read online that they deffinetly was not. Just like a lot of other people here Then we've twice had to go out and get new tanks for them. First to get them in to BW, and then to get one that was the proper sice. Then we gave one away because the tank wasnt big enough. But it took a long time to find someone, because BW-tanks and GSP's isnt really that common in Denmark. I think its because we only just got into this like 6-8 months ago, and we'rent really up for this kind of challenge yet.
I really love the little guys, but I just feel like we're almost constantly doing something wrong..

The salt levet seems ok for the one of them. But if the other one needs a higher salinity, can that be bad for the other one then? Theyre not that much apart in sice, can it vary from fish to fish?

[crazedpuffer]

If there close to the same size, they won't need a difference in salt. If one is 2 inches and the other is 4, then things can be a bit problematic.
It sounds like your doing things right.

[swapperz]

Well perhaps the other one just doesnt like us then

[Agnate]

Haha, that's quite possible! It's too bad someone didn't inform you before, but when you bought them as FW (assuming they were only about 1 - 1.5 inches long), you could have just slowly brought the tank to Brackish (over the course of a couple months) instead of picking up a second tank to make brackish (unless you had to get a bigger tank anyways). Plus, mistakes happen, and if the little cuties are still alive and kickin', then you shouldn't be so hard on yourself! If you find the one puffer isn't pleasurable to keep and doesn't really seem to like you, it might be best to find someone who can give him a suitable home. Puffers seem like one of those fish that if you aren't enjoying keeping them, they can become a real chore and will often be neglected.

Then again, if you invest in a big tank (say something like 75 gallons), you might find that the not-so-happy one will start to warm up to you again.

Also, for the salt thing, all I was getting at is that I've read some people saying that their puffers complain if they let the salt level drop too low. You might consider bringing it up by 0.001 and see if he responds a bit better to you! Also, what do you feed your puffers? Another method for making him like you more would be to try feeding him other fancy types of food (such as cockles, scallops, shrimp, etc). Just like a puppy or kitten, sometimes spoiling them can get them to love you more.