New Tank, New species, New everything!

[Newbie]

This summer I decided to begin an aquarium as a hobby. I have had them in the past, freshwater only mind you, and have found it relatively simple. I had a ten gallon and decorated and populated it with 2 Bala Sharks, 1 Violet Goby, and 1 Fiddler Crab (Names: Castle, Beckett, Patrick Jane, and Mozzie). I was at the local Walmart (down with corporations!) and saw these godly puffers. INSTANT DO WANT. I am buying a 30 gallon tank to care for my soon to be prettie(s), and was looking to have some questions answered.

1. How many GSP's would be recommended for a 30 gal.
2. Does anyone here live in the Des Moines area?- I'm looking for a store with a better selection than Walmart.
3. Any tips would be appreciated!
4. Oh and I'll accept name suggestions also.

[Black Widow]

This summer I decided to begin an aquarium as a hobby. I have had them in the past, freshwater only mind you, and have found it relatively simple. I had a ten gallon and decorated and populated it with 2 Bala Sharks, 1 Violet Goby, and 1 Fiddler Crab (Names: Castle, Beckett, Patrick Jane, and Mozzie). I was at the local Walmart (down with corporations!) and saw these godly puffers. INSTANT DO WANT. I am buying a 30 gallon tank to care for my soon to be prettie(s), and was looking to have some questions answered.

1. How many GSP's would be recommended for a 30 gal.
2. Does anyone here live in the Des Moines area?- I'm looking for a store with a better selection than Walmart.
3. Any tips would be appreciated!
4. Oh and I'll accept name suggestions also.

1. 1 x GSP per 30 Gallons
2. ?
3. Read these : ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Brackish/T_Nigroviridis/ library/category/puffers-in-focus/
4.

[Pufferpunk]

IMO, you really need to do something about the stock you have now. Bala sharks are schooling species (minimum of 3-5), with a maximum size of 14-16":
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/sharkfish/balashark.php

The Violet/Dragon goby is a BW species: library/misc/theres-a-dragon-in-my-tank/
As is the fiddler crab. Please do not consider purchasing any more fish, until you do right by the ones you have.

Also, how do the puffers look at Walmart? If they look healthy, fat & well cared for, you could buy one from there but most of those chain stores horribly overstock, starve (by feeding them flakes) & generally mistreat their GSPs. A local mom & pop shop is the way to go.

Read up on cycling a tank in our Library, too.

[Newbie]

Since only one puffer will inhabit, I'd like to give it a companion. Suggestions?

[Pufferpunk]

Please read the links provided to you above. A single GSP will require a minimum of 30g but would prefer 55g. Then you could add tank mates--if your puffer is nice enough to allow them. . Not in a 30g.

[sevenyearnight]

Dude, bala sharks and violet gobies get gigantic. Bala shark gets about 16", and prefer to be in a group, I am unsure of whether our not they can thrive in brackish. Violet gobies can reach the 2 foot mark, but they average about 15", I believe. This fish does best in brackish, I've seen many fall victim to illnesses when people kept them in freshwater long term.
Are you sure you have all of these and some crabs in only a 10 gallon? Is that a typo?

1 gsp to a 30 gallon, but as they get fairly large (6"+) many people feel as though 55 is more appropriate.
But as large a tank as possible in the beginning because moving puffers is a PITA.
Name suggestions:
Sir Tiny Spineties
Jorge
Maybeline (Maybe she's born with it?)
Puffindor the Cutenator