Completley new to owning Puffer fish, help might be needed!

[Newpuffermommy]

Hello Everyone!
Ok well for one thing I am very very new to owning puffer fish, as a matter of fact I normally am not much of a fish person :S
Well everytime I went to Wal Mart I was absolutley in love with the puffer fish they had out and I had to have one! (well erm bought two!)
Here is the problem, I thought they were freshwater and that they did not need much space, so I was a fool and bought a pleco to go with them and also bought only a three gallon tank, and now reading all of this I feel terrible
I also thought they ate the normal tropical food so I bought that and it has like three types of food in it, the dried shrimp, pellets and flakes and now I am reading they need hard food...I just am completly lost with all of this......
I will be able to buy them a bigger tank plus all neccesities within a weeks time, but I am unsure of what to buy or what to do in the meantime (this store is over 50 miles away and I only go to that town for my OB appointments)
I guess this is just a major SOS call as I really dont want these little guys or my pleco to die
thanks for any help in advance!!!!!!
(forgot to add I think they are green spotter puffers in case that matters at all)
Once again thank you all so very much!!!

[Pufferpunk]

Well, it's a good thing for them that you found us! You're not the 1st person to make a mistake with puffers from Walmart or other misinforming shops. Sorry to say none of those fish will survive more than a few days in your tank. Unless you are ready to invest in a minimum of 30g tank (just for the puffers) & find a proper home for the pleco (it will never be able to live with the puffers), I suggest gifting them to a responsible pet shop for resale. Eventually, the puffers will need a minimum of 60g, 75 wold be even better.

library/puffers-in-focus/an-introductio ... d-puffers/
library/water-filtration/emergencycycle/

[Newpuffermommy]

Now I feel so so bad I did that to these cute guys, I truly thought they would all be ok together, and yes, I feel like the fool who caved and bought these fish from WalMart even though they normally know nothing about the fish they sell or the best environment to keep them in, I guess even though I am not much of a fish person I still have the 'I will try my best to save them' type of attitude, but with these puffers i was intent on having them because they were sooo active and cute as crap, lol. If it meant saving these guys and watching them grow and have fun I would be more then willing to go and get the right equipment for them friday or possibly tomorrow I just really am uneducated and unsure of what to get. They have a pretty good fish store in the town I have to go to for my doc apts so I am sure I could find what I need there, I am just unsure of what my shopping list should contain and what these lil guys will need, doing tons of research and learning more and more but it is always best to hear from others who own them or have owned them in the past....

[Blaine]

another Walmart victim. Sorry to hear that. welcome to the neighborhood.

First off,...to keep 2 GSP's you will need at least a 50 Gal tank.
Second,...GSP's require high-end brackish water to full marine to thrive....and the pleco cannot survive in salt water.

Being a beginner I suggest that you return one of the GSP's and the pleco to the store or sell them to someone local. That way you can get by with only a 30 gal tank.

You will need some liquid test kits asap to monitor the water parameters. Until you get them I suggest daily 50% water changes(75% if you have the 3 fish).You will also need a water treatment called Prime for treating water. You will need to purchase some marine salt (Instant Ocean is a good brand) and a refractometer(best) or hydrometer(ok) to measure the salinity or specific gravity (sg)of the saltwater. Gsp's do best at between 1.014-1.018 or higher sg. Don't worry too much about the salt right away as they can survive in FW for a short period of time

I also highly recommend that you purchase some Tetra Safestart because it doesn't sound like your tank was properly cycled prior to buying the fish. (Look up Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle). 'Cycling' a tank refers to the process by which a beneficial bacterial colony is set up and maintained within your tank and filter that will safely convert toxic waste products (Ammonia) from the fish into first Nitrite (also toxic) and then into Nitrates (not so toxic,...can be removed thru regular water changes)


I'm sorry if this seems like alot but unfortunately Walmart sells these fish all the time under improper conditions and with no regard to their longevity. If the steps above are not taken (and quickly)...the fish will not survive long.

HTH

[Newpuffermommy]

I was having fun reading all of them
Yes I truly want to get into this hobby now, these lil guys have got me, lol!
I just want to do the best thing for them and make them happy and comfortable and if that means going the extra step I will!
I just want to thank everyone for helping and giving out advice, it really does help to get all this info!!!!!!

[purplecandle]

I was having fun reading all of them
Yes I truly want to get into this hobby now, these lil guys have got me, lol!
I just want to do the best thing for them and make them happy and comfortable and if that means going the extra step I will!
I just want to thank everyone for helping and giving out advice, it really does help to get all this info!!!!!!

Don't forget that Craigslist is a really good place to find used tanks for cheap. DOn't pay much more than $1 a gallon, unless it comes with everything. A 55 with lid, lights, heater and filters should be in the neighborhood of $150, more if it comes with a super nice stand or if it is a marine tank.

When is the soonest you could get the poofers in a bigger tank? If more than a few days they probably won't last.

[Pufferpunk]

I hate to mention this but are you sure you will be able to afford the necessary equipment to keep both of these fish? You have a baby on the way. If you only keep one, then you could get away with just a 30g. Look for whole systems FS on Craigslist, you might get lucky.

You''ll have to find somewhere other than Walmart to rehome the other fish, as they flush all returns. Until then, i highly suggest daily 80% WC, until you find a solution & dechlorinate with Prime.

[purplecandle]

You have a baby on the way.

Babies love puffers!

[Newpuffermommy]

If it meant them living verses dying I could for sure get them a set up for tomorrow, I would never want to wish pain or suffering on any animal what so ever..it is just cruel and not needed IMO.
Yes I would be willing to spend the money to help save them, my children (i have two beside the one baking ) adore the fish as well as myself (and it is perfectly ok you mentioned that since money is tight just about everywhere nowadays!) I know a friend of mine has a tank that I am sure the pleco could go live in since I do want him to have a nice home and if not he will FOR SURE not be returning back to Wal Mart, I will give him over to the fish store in the next town where I know he would be looked after properly, its only fair to him and the puffers

And as for babies loving puffers, lol I am sure they love just about anything that moves I know my 3 year old and 6 year old get a kick out of them!

[purplecandle]

Don't return to walmart, walmart flushes returned fish. Find a mom and pop local fish store and donate them.

[Pufferpunk]

As far as children & fish tanks, I hear lots of stories about them loving to feed the fish by dumping a whole can of food in there, so be sure the lid has some sort of lock on there. It would be a great time to educate them on not tapping on the glass & all that stuff.

[J-P]

also check:
http://www.ebayclassifieds.com/

here in Canada we still have kijiji (awesome!) but the USA portion was bought out by Ebay. It might be worth looking into.

[purplecandle]

As far as children & fish tanks, I hear lots of stories about them loving to feed the fish by dumping a whole can of food in there, so be sure the lid has some sort of lock on there. It would be a great time to educate them on not tapping on the glass & all that stuff.

Oh, ha ha ha! My EBJD is still fat, took me all day to clean them tanks and get the water clear

[Pufferpunk]

Yeah, I was thinking of your recent situation but there's been lots more.

[zookey]

Another place you can check for tanks is "Freecycle" if you have one in your area. I have seen a few on the local one here and depending on where you are located fish may be more popular and tanks more readily available.

Sometimes also have to watch the husband for tapping glass and FEEDING fish! (mine anyway)

Best of luck with both the fish babies and the human one!