New to the puffer life... questions about the GSP!! HELP!!

[themccannas]

Hello,
We are new to this puffer thing... we have a green spottd puffer, Roudy. He is in our 55 gallon cichlid tank. He is doing good in there. We were wondering how big they get?? What we should feed him (other then snails.. i cant feed him snails i love snails & just cant do it.. weird i know lol)? We have sand & alot of rocks as decor, since thats what cichlids like. We have a few plants & are going to be getting more soon... but Roudy seems bored & we want everyone to be happy in their home. Any suggestions or information on GSP, thier diets & environments are greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

[jaskaprkl]

ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Brackish/T_Nigroviridis/

[LilGreenPuffer]

Well, GSPs won't get along with cichlids! The link jaskaprkl gave you is great. Here's another one: library/puffers-in-focus/an-introductio ... d-puffers/

I think you'll find what you need in these links, and in the feeding/diet article - there is a link to that in the species profile. If you have any more questions, let us know.

Welcome to the forum!

[pufferpuggirl]

Also, Green Spotted puffers really do best in brackish water (some people take them to full marine but mine are in a brackish tank). I've never been able to keep them alive very long in freshwater.

I find that a complex tank seems to be better for GSP's, it gives them something to work out and swim around. So I'd try to go for caves and lots ornaments and/or bogwood so they have to swim through and around things. I think it makes their life a little happier.

And if you don't feed your GSP's snails, then you will need to feed them something with a hard shell regularly to keep their teeth trimmed down. In a natural setting, they would seek out shellfish and crustaceans, so keep that in mind.

Good choice though, GSP's are very entertaining and lovely puffers that can reach a size of 6" long.