Young GSP pacing

[diablo]

I have a GSP that I have had for about 4 months now that I just put into a cycled 20gl tank. He was in a 10gl tank with 2 small cichlids. I did not know before but now I do, that they are not compatible. Puffy had a tendency to rome up and down the glass from time to time. I thought he might have felt cramped or stressed, but he seems to still have the behavior in the bigger tank all alone. He looks healthy, nice and bright with no black, put he runs up and down the glass.

The water is in great shape and he has room to rome now, so what gives? He is still freshwater, but will soon be on his way to brackish. I would think if the sg was the issue he would look unhealthy or stressed. Any feedback would be great!!

[diablo]

I had a thought about it. Could he be lonely? As I said, the entire time that we have had him he has been with 2 other fish, but now he is alone. He really looks bright in the new tank.

[qtrhorse89]

Idk about him being lonely. It's possible but in a tank of your size I'd say he should be alone. GSP's need a lot of room to roam, this site and many others recommend 30gal per full grown GSP which will be about 6 in.

As for the running up and down the glass.....it's common. It can be because the fish is stressed or bored or both. GSP's like all puffers are intelligent fish that need a lot of plants and tank decor to explore. I would suggest you read some of the articles in the puffer library under the Learn Tab at the top of the screen. I believe there is an excellent article there on keeping GSPs. Glad to see you are going to switch to a brackish salinity. I believe this species perfers highend brackish to full marine the older they become.

[diablo]

Thanks horse. I know for now the issue is not space. He is only about 1.5 inches long so no where near grown yet. There are three sets of fake plants that go over half way up the back side of the tank with some rocks and a bridge for scenery. Would more plants be better and should they not just be in the back?

[LilGreenPuffer]

Tons of decorations should solve the problem. If you intend to use real plants, you should use only certain types, like java moss and java ferns, that will not die in brackish water.

[diablo]

I get that I need more decorations and thanks. What about where they are? Does the front, middle, or sides of the tank matter? If I go live plants I am not sure that my substrate would work. Is there a good place to go for that information? Especially since the tank will be brackish later.

[qtrhorse89]

Live plants aren't neccassary it's only if you want them. As for where you put them it doesn't really matter. The point is to give him something to explore so you could vary them so he will have to wind around them. Use a mixture or tall and short for ascetics. Also, caves are good, these can be made of pvc piping, hamster tubes, pottery pots (for plants) etc. Rock formations that he can swim in and around. I've heard some people on here say their fish loves bubble stones maybe you can get him one of them?

[w00t]

Mine does it too, but I think it's mostly when I am in the room and he wants food. Otherwise he is always exploring the live rock, or spending time in his cave, or just swimming around. Adding more stuff should help, but unless he is doing it 24/7 I wouldn't worry about it IMHO.

[rbulin]

mine does that too i think he might see his reflection. Mine isnt really pacing though it swims up and down by the glass so i looked and i could see his reflection i think he is playing with his reflection lol