How do i know if i have a true GSP?

[zyquine]

I believe i have a GSP but i was reading that they are easily mistaken for another type of puffer that only grows to about 3 to 4 inches, instead of the full out 6 inches a usual GSP grows to? Is there any way to tell which kind i have? my puffer is only about 2 inches right now though? Thank You

[bigfatfish]

I have never had any probs identifying a GSP - they are pretty distinctive. If you post a pic, then someone could id it for you.

[zyquine]

ya, well im pretty positive its a GSP but some people are saying they are easily mistaken for another puffer which looks very similar but just doesnt grow as big? it could have been a well informed site though. Im trying to get a picture but my puffer is not to happy with the camera.

[bigfatfish]

Have you looked through the pufferpedia on here? Poss someone may get mixed up with a GSP & a Ceylon (but Ceylons get bigger) or maybe a Figure 8, which grow to 3"?

[PolishPuff]

I know what you mean, I found RED BELLY puff at my LFS and they ware selling it as a FIGURE 8 puffer.

[pufferpuggirl]

I've seen GSP's sold with the latin name of T fluviatilis, which of course is a Ceylon puffer. In fact, just Saturday we seen some being sold with that latin name, and I think it's rather common. Strangely enough that's how I got my first GSP, my husband seen the latin name, and knew that I wanted a Ceylon puffer, so he bought it for me. When he got home, I knew it wasn't a Ceylon, and so I phoned the LFS up and told them what happened and asked if I could return the puffer since I wasn't really interested in having the GSP (at that time), and they said yes, I could return it. So I had intentions of taking it back, but all the remainder of that day and into the next morning, I was so entertained by this little spotted puffer, and I found myself going in and watching it in the tank - and then decided that I could not take it back and that I would keep it. I now have 5 GSP's, 3 of which were rescued from another LFS that did not take very good care of them. (Looking for a home for those 3 GSP's if anyone's interested -wink, wink!)

[PolishPuff]

I fell like rescuing GSP every time i visit walmart, my hospital tank is only 10gal so I would need to do 1 at a time, but then what's next, what would I do with it when its cured. Sell it?

[pufferpuggirl]

I'm offering to give mine free to a good home, don't want any money for them, just want to know they are going to someone that won't resell them and someone that will love them like I have.

[PolishPuff]

hmm, sounds good but I think that finding a good home would be as hard as selling.

[pufferpuggirl]

And you're right!

[dlowis]

Tetraodon schoutedeni- is similiar to Tetraodon nigroviridis (GSP). T Schoutedeni is a freshwater puffer that grows to 9 cm its common name in Dr Eberts aqualog is Leopard puffer but is from what i know very rare to be sold they are from Africa. They are darker colored, lack bright green on the top of the head,and eyes have a complete brown-red lens, Tetraodon sabahensis ((when young)) look like GSP they have larger more oblong spots and grow large the pictures in the aqualog look very similiar to GSP (especially if you trust labels) and thinking back i believe i have probably seen them sold as GSP , when sabehensis mature they look alot different. these discriptions are from skimming through the aqualog and what i see. Also I had heard the same thing when i first started keeping these fish and would look up info it would have schoutdeni,nigroviridis,and fluvaitalis mixed up on about every search.

[PolishPuff]

But Tetraodon schoutedeni looks nothing like GSP. How can you be confused.

[pufferpuggirl]

I would absolutely LOVE to have a schoutedeni!! That's my dream puffer. I think if you were to even find one in the trade, it would be as expensive as the Cross River puffer (T pustulatus).

**I think it looks more like a mini MBU puffer personally (the schoutedeni)**

[dlowis]

askimit he asked what puffer is confused with GSP google Shoutdeni and i would bet you would see an image of a GSP I have already noted the differences ive seen

[Pufferpunk]

I fell like rescuing GSP every time i visit walmart, my hospital tank is only 10gal so I would need to do 1 at a time, but then what's next, what would I do with it when its cured. Sell it?

Please don't do this!!! All you'll be doing is telling Walmart that no matter how they abuse & neglect their fish, they are still good sellers. Then they will buy even more.