I feel stupid

[mardog]

I am embarrassed to say that I just bought a GSP fish at Walmart (I know...stupid). I did not know anything about the fish other than their little explanation. I have a 30 gal tank which has a small assortment of community fish. I do have salt in the tank, but it certainly is not brackish water. I have just read that the GSP needs brackish water, crustations to eat such as snails, and will probably kill the rest of my fish. I have to say that this bums me out as I have already grown to like the little guy. I feel even worse knowing that if I take him back to Walmart he will almost surely die. Is there anything that I can do!?

[julianchan]

First off, don't feel completely stupid. Walmart preys on people who fall for the cuteness of puffers.....

The puffer will do ok for a period in FW, probably be a fin nipper, but if you have the ability to get another 30g, I would do it. You will love that puffer utterly and completely. Other than that, you could bring the puffer to a LFS for someone there to adopt, if you dont want to take it back to walmart. Good luck, and thanks for caring!

[Pufferpunk]

Do you have room for another 30g tank? You could take 1/2 the filter material ffrom the established tank to support the biological balance of the puffer's tank. Of if you can find Bio-Spira or Dr Tim's cycling product (don't let a shop talk you into any other product!), you can have an instantly cycled tank for him.

[riggers]

Or tetra safestart! When you say you have salt in the tank, is it marine salt or aquarium salt? He will be fine in FW to start off, but he will need to gradually be brought up to SW as he gets older as they just seem to do better that way. Yeah I think you should get another 30 gal for him, you won't regret it!

[edmlfc1]

Don't feel stupid by any means. At least you were smart enough to research your new friend. It's happens to everyone at some point.