New F8

[bodicea]

Hi there everyone...I got a new F8 last week from the LFS that keeps them in brackish. (I raised the SG to 1.010 the same as the fish store tank prior to getting him...do you think I should lower it a bit to 1.008?) I took out most of the subtrate (argonite) so that is is about 1 inch thick (I had about three inches in there and apparently it produces some kind of sulfer gas due to anaerobic pockets in the sand)...So far he is doing great (I have had 4 in the last 6 weeks, all of them died ). He is eating great (Snails and frozen blood worms) swimming all around the tank...Keep your fingers crossed!

Jan

[LilGreenPuffer]

Yay for new puffers!

Yes, F8s prefer lower-end brackish water, so .006-.008 is better. The gasses won't form if you stir the sand bed regularly, but you've certainly decreased the chances of that happening by taking some out.

Do you have any idea why the others died? Cycling problems, disease... Have you gotten them all at the same store?

[Iliveinazoo]

Yay for new puffers!

Yes, F8s prefer lower-end brackish water, so .006-.008 is better. The gasses won't form if you stir the sand bed regularly, but you've certainly decreased the chances of that happening by taking some out.

Do you have any idea why the others died? Cycling problems, disease... Have you gotten them all at the same store?

You don't need to have it that high either, it depends on what you want to accomplish with your tank and if you're maintaining at SG1.010 for the needs of a different tankmate. You could maintain from SG1.003 up to SG1.010 from what I've read though I do think that SG1.010 is unnecessarily high and puts unecessary stress on the puffers osmoregulatory (spelling? ) system.

[Pufferpunk]

Might as well save $$$ on $alt & keep it at ~1.005. They seem to do best in that SG.

[bodicea]

I have no idea why they died...it is a complete mystery. I did get them from the same store. I oredered them and picked them up as soon as they arrived do they did nto even get unpacked form the bags they were shipped in...so I know it was not the lfs...maybe the supplier. One of the other stores in town actually keeps the puffers in Brackish water but they are three times as expensive...

Anyway decided I would take the excess argonite out in case that was the problem and to get one that the other fish store had in brackish for about two weeks before I got it...I figured it would be easier to get one that was already aclimatised to the brackish water with the tank fully cycled with the SG up....so far...so good..he seems really happy. just swimming around like crazy...he has already learned to beg. I have lots of snails as I have been breeding them for about 6 weeks now waiting for the tank to cycle. He loves the snails and he really likes frozen blood worms as well...I just got given a water dragon lizard the other day and I have to get some crickets tomorrow so I think I will get a couple of blackworms ans see if he likes those..

Anyway...I am loving my fat little friend...I will keep out posted about how he gets on...

Jan

[mrgreen]

post some pictures when you can.