Ok guys, I need your help. Long story short I've been given two small GSPs in a 25gal tank. They were given to a young cousin who had no idea how to look after them and what it would involve. They were going to get rid of the little guys but I took them in because I didn't want that, so everything is a bit sudden! Bare in mind that I am a first-timer who's following the advice on this website as best he can!
There's two of them, one of which seems fine, chirpy, swimming about as they should. But the other is lying at the bottom of the tank not moving, fins against his side and barely breathing.
the original water has been in the tank since Tuesday and was (apparently) treated with a dechlorinator.
Here are the water readings as best as I can take them:
Nitrate: 25ish
Nitrite: 21
I did a roughly 30% water change half an hour ago, used dechlorinator (Nutrafin Aqua plus) and Nurtrafin Cycle on the water.
I find it really confusing as one fish seems to be happy, but the other seems very sick.
As I said, I'm trying to be as accurate as I can be, but I'm an amateur who's been dropped straight into caring for these two. I'd really appreciate the help as I want to make sure these guys have a good home.
GSP rescue
Forum rules
Read this before posting!!
Since this board has been up, we have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help right away (if we can!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.
1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.
2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.
3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)
4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.
5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.
We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.
While you wait for assistance:
One of the easiest and best ways to help your fish feel better is clean water! If you are already on a regular water change schedule (50% weekly is recommended) a good step to making your fish more comfortable while waiting for diagnosis/suggestions is to do a large water change immediately. Feel free to repeat daily or as often as you can, clean water is always a good thing! Use of Amquel or Prime as a dechlor may help with any ammonia or nitrite issues, and is highly recommended.
Note - if you do not normally do large water changes, doing a sudden, large water change could shock your fish by suddenly changing their established water chemistry. Clean water is still your first goal, so in this case, do several smaller (10%) water changes over the next day or two before starting any large ones.
Read this before posting!!
Since this board has been up, we have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help right away (if we can!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.
1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.
2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.
3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)
4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.
5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.
We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.
While you wait for assistance:
One of the easiest and best ways to help your fish feel better is clean water! If you are already on a regular water change schedule (50% weekly is recommended) a good step to making your fish more comfortable while waiting for diagnosis/suggestions is to do a large water change immediately. Feel free to repeat daily or as often as you can, clean water is always a good thing! Use of Amquel or Prime as a dechlor may help with any ammonia or nitrite issues, and is highly recommended.
Note - if you do not normally do large water changes, doing a sudden, large water change could shock your fish by suddenly changing their established water chemistry. Clean water is still your first goal, so in this case, do several smaller (10%) water changes over the next day or two before starting any large ones.
Re: GSP rescue
Oh and I tested the water for ammonia, I'd say it comes in at around 0.25.
I assume it has to be way lower than that, but I just did a water change so I will wait for further advice before changing it agian.
I assume it has to be way lower than that, but I just did a water change so I will wait for further advice before changing it agian.
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xrayjeeper83
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Re: GSP rescue
Ammonia should be 0, nitrites should be 0 and nitrates should be below 10ppm. 2 GSPs in a 25 is WAY to small. GSP's should be in 30g per specimen
Do 50% water changes till your tank has finished cycling
Do 50% water changes till your tank has finished cycling
RTR wrote:Fahakas do not have tank mates, they may have swimming food reserves.
Re: GSP rescue
Ok I'll change the water again. How soon after changing it should I change it again?
Just to be sure, I need to add the dechlorinator and Nutrafin cycle into every batch of water I put in? And marine salt too? Just need to ensure that the salt is dissolved before adding it into the tank.
As for the tank size, I may take one to the pet store and give him to them so I can look after the one puffer in a 30g tank.
Just to be sure, I need to add the dechlorinator and Nutrafin cycle into every batch of water I put in? And marine salt too? Just need to ensure that the salt is dissolved before adding it into the tank.
As for the tank size, I may take one to the pet store and give him to them so I can look after the one puffer in a 30g tank.
Re: GSP rescue
Don't worry about salt for a few weeks. For now do several large water changes per day until you get the water values that you want to see. Then we can help you with salt. Also, you don't need to add the cycle, just stick with a dechlorinator.
Do you know anyone with a tank that you can get some used filter media from?
ETA: You can change the water again now. Two large changes per day will be safe.
Do you know anyone with a tank that you can get some used filter media from?
ETA: You can change the water again now. Two large changes per day will be safe.
It is absurd to talk of one animal being higher than another. We consider those, when the cerebral structure/intellectual faculties most developed, as highest. A bee doubtless would when the instincts were.
Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin
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LilGreenPuffer
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RIP Inigo Montoya, Fezzik, and Vizinni.
RIP James Bond. - Location (country): United States
- Location: Kentucky
Re: GSP rescue
Cycle isn't going to help at ALL. It's dead bacteria in a bottle. The only ones I know of that work are Dr. Tim's, Tetra SafeStart, and Bio-Spira (which is a saltwater product anyway).
Yes, you'll need dechlorinator every time.
You should change the water every time it shows any ammonia or nitrite. You can change as much water at a time as you want - as long as the fish stay underwater, you can't change too much!
Don't try and add salt yet. That'll slow the cycling process down a whole lot. Start by cycling the tank as freshwater:
library/water-filtration/emergencycycle/
This is also good reading, for a good understanding of the nitrogen cycle:
library/water-filtration/fishless-cycling/
GSPs:
library/puffers-in-focus/an-introductio ... d-puffers/
Good on you for rescuing these fish!
Yes, you'll need dechlorinator every time.
You should change the water every time it shows any ammonia or nitrite. You can change as much water at a time as you want - as long as the fish stay underwater, you can't change too much!
Don't try and add salt yet. That'll slow the cycling process down a whole lot. Start by cycling the tank as freshwater:
library/water-filtration/emergencycycle/
This is also good reading, for a good understanding of the nitrogen cycle:
library/water-filtration/fishless-cycling/
GSPs:
library/puffers-in-focus/an-introductio ... d-puffers/
Good on you for rescuing these fish!
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Re: GSP rescue
Shall I put the dechlorinator straight in the tank when it's full or shall I put a tiny bit in per bowl of water I put in? Using a plastic bowl to take a bit out at a time, so I can't refill the tank in one go. just making sure that if I add the dechlorinator to the water that it wont poison them.
As for the used filter media - do you mean a kind of filter cartridge?
As for the used filter media - do you mean a kind of filter cartridge?
Re: GSP rescue
Yes. Like foam or filter floss or even the squeezings from some. Even some gravel will help.
For water changes you remove the water, put dechlorinator in for the entire tank volume (e.x. dose for 25 gallons), then add the new water. Make sure the temperature change is very small.
For water changes you remove the water, put dechlorinator in for the entire tank volume (e.x. dose for 25 gallons), then add the new water. Make sure the temperature change is very small.
It is absurd to talk of one animal being higher than another. We consider those, when the cerebral structure/intellectual faculties most developed, as highest. A bee doubtless would when the instincts were.
Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin
-
sevenyearnight
Re: GSP rescue
I like to add the dechlorinater to my exchange water and give it a few minutes to work before I add it to the tank.
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bertie 83
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Re: GSP rescue
i can post some will take a couple of days though
It's amazing how easy maintenance is. If done regularly and thoroughly
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xrayjeeper83
- Mbu Puffer
- Posts: 4167
- Joined: Thu May 06, 2010 9:31 pm
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Abei named Huey
GSP named Bacon - Location (country): USA
- Location: Orange Park, FL
Re: GSP rescue
I add my prime before I start to refill my tank
RTR wrote:Fahakas do not have tank mates, they may have swimming food reserves.
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bertie 83
- Moderator
- Posts: 5298
- Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2011 4:28 pm
- Gender: Male
- My Puffers: lineatus R.I.P, South American puffer. Valentini puffer, porcupine puffer.
Non puffer
Danios, Tetras, Redtail Rasporas,
Harlequins, CAE's, Yoyo
Loaches, Clown loaches ,Eels, various shrimp, tangs,wrasses, damsels, chromis - Location (country): Brighton, England
- Location: brighton , england
Re: GSP rescue
and +1 to xray and seven
It's amazing how easy maintenance is. If done regularly and thoroughly
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LilGreenPuffer
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 5301
- Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:26 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Dwarf puffer - Thumbelina (only mine in my heart now; she lives in CT with my friend)
RIP Inigo Montoya, Fezzik, and Vizinni.
RIP James Bond. - Location (country): United States
- Location: Kentucky
Re: GSP rescue
Yeah, that's what I do. I take a bucket of water out, I fill the bucket with fresh water, add enough dechlorinator for the bucket, and mix it up really well before putting it in the tank. Either way works fine.sevenyearnight wrote:I like to add the dechlorinater to my exchange water and give it a few minutes to work before I add it to the tank.
I also use a bucket that I ONLY use for water changes. If you use your mop bucket or something like that, you can get all kinds of soaps and bleach in there, and that can kill your fish easily.
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Re: GSP rescue
Ok guys, I did a couple of water changes and the levels are much better.
The fundamental problem is the size of the tank, it seems. As sad as it may be, I may take one to the pet store and see if they'll take him off me, as the two of them in one tank are poisoning themselves, and I don't want them to die.
Do we all agree that just keeping one for now, until I can get a bigger tank, would be my best option?
The fundamental problem is the size of the tank, it seems. As sad as it may be, I may take one to the pet store and see if they'll take him off me, as the two of them in one tank are poisoning themselves, and I don't want them to die.
Do we all agree that just keeping one for now, until I can get a bigger tank, would be my best option?
Re: GSP rescue
And no, I don't have filter floss or anything like that. What will that help with? (amateur!)