New GSP owner, several questions

[cpuffer]

So i recently received a free 55+/Gallon standup tank, freshwater tank.. included were drop down heater, backside power filter, and essentials
Inhabitants include: 3x GSP (healthy) & 5 assorted different flavors of Cichlids, I have been researching up and down for the past 2-3 weeks
on proper care and maintenance, I am already on the way to converting to a Brackish Estuary Setup. And have already begun to try and slowly raise
the SG and Salinty values for this tank to endure a better environment for the GSP. The tank is setup with larger fake plants along the back
and smaller sized plants along the sides, with rocks, small caves assorted in the middle. Now the GSP seem happy for the most part however, They seem
to be intimidated by the other fish, They scale up and down the sides of the glass consistently, and try to avoid any kind of contact with other fish
whatsoever, & are always!! at the top... now this seems to contradict what i have been reading up on, saying that they were supposed to be the aggressor fish and so on.
now i want to make these guys happy as possible, and i want them to explore the aquarium more, and not just float at the top all day. I have considered removing the other fish to see any affects that may have, again they are each appx. ~2" , i wanted to receive any comments or advice before i move
on to the next step... andi also apologize in advance if this has been posted previously... and help will be greatly appreciated!

[Liquidblue]

I am new to GSPs but have kept cichlids in the past and don't think they would be great tank mates, they can be very agressive and territorital. Sorry...

[zombiefetus]

You'll need to seperate those fish. The three GSPS by themselves would need a 90gallon tank. Right now it's very over crowded. The GSPs will also need the s.g. raised to nearly full marine to live long healthy lives, the cichlids would die in that.

You can check out the link in my sig. to my GSP website too for more info.
We also have some great articles in the library here at TPF.

[crazedpuffer]

Cichlids and GSPs won't work.
What kind of salt are you using? GSP's need full SW (with marine salt) when full grown and cichlids won't be able to tolerate that.
Otherwise it sounds like your doing things right.

[cpuffer]

thanks guys, zombiefetus your site answered alot of my noob questions, so thanks for setting that up, and thanks for the quick replys' .

[Myaj]

Puffers are more of the "sneak and attack" type of hunter, taking bites out of their prey. They tend to like to size things up, move in somewhat slowly, then attack.

Cichlids are too active and too aggressive to do that, and probably scare the crap out of the GSP's.

I would definately back up the people telling you you need to make some changes ASAP to that tank setup.