Acclimating GSPs to Full Marine

[ChrisKil]

I've been keeping both freshwater and marine tanks for a while, and know the basics. I have not, however, ever kept puffers. I bought a GSP puffer recently. Everything I have read on these fish state that they need brackish water when they are younger and full salt when the are adults. The articles don't state when to make the switch.

My question is: When are they ready to go to full salt, and how quickly. I acclimate fish all the time for my marine tank using the drip method, but there is only a small salinity difference between my tank and those of my LFS. I would assume such a large change would take more time. My marine display tank is at 1.025, so I need to get the puffer there eventually. Any thoughts about the timetable on this?

[Jay.B.]

I am slowly moving my gsp up to marine levels, you can increase the sg in his tank no more than 0.002 per week or else you'll crash your cycle.

My gsp is between 2.25" and 2.5", but there are people on here who have made the switch to marine at a smaller size

[cobra1713]

yea there is really no rush on going to a full marine tank for the puffers sake. the only reason to go to full marine would be your wanting a marine tank, until the puffer gets to a fulll adult size around 4", but yes .002 per week is a good increas for a change in tank. but if you want to put him into a marine tank that is established from a brakish tank then do the longest drip you can do.

as in start with alot of brakish water in a really large container and slowly drip. i think you get the idea.

now you mention a marine displa tank, now im assuming you have read the care article for these speciese and what other fish they can be kept with?

[ChrisKil]

I guess I was asking if there is any reason not to start acclimating him to full marine right now. I'm not worried about crashing the cycle. I have saltwater tanks that have been setup for a year now. They are a larger system, and could better handle the bioload.

I currently have the GSP in a high end brackish tank that is too small for long-term well being. Once it is ready I'll move it to my fully cycled marine quarantine tank.

[Pufferpunk]

GSPs actually rarely live in the ocean, only occasionally visiting there. We suggest marine conditions as adults, so we can use the better filtration SW offers--live rock/sand & protein skimmmer. We do not know the long-term effects of putting a juvie puffer into SW.

Check the GSP article in our Library for more info.