I'm new, and have adopted a new leopard puffer...

[jenrkit84]

Hey there,
I adopted a small/medium leopard puffer (green spotted puffer), and although I know of the care routine, is there anything special I should know?
Currently in a 75 gallon tank with 2 dwarf gouramis, pink kissing gourami, peacock eel, 2 balla sharks, 1 african butterfly and 2 upside down catfish.

I am already feeding the eel frozen blood worms and plan on training this guy to eat as well, also bought about 25 baby snails and a mating pair to make more.
All water quality is perfect, aside from a little "too" soft, working on that... Any help would be appreciated.

[jenrkit84]

Also, I know as they mature they prefer salt or bracket water, which is best?
Only concern is the peacock eel can only tolerate minimal salt. But can be adjusted to it overtime.

[sevenyearnight]

Sorry the pufferpedia is down right now, but briefly green spotted puffers reach 6"+, and need to be in high end brackish or full salt water as adults. They can live short periods in freshwater, but depending in the size, their requirement for brackish water increases with age.
Also, not a community fish, don't be surprised if you find fish or pieces of fish missing. A 30 - 55 gallon tank is the minimum recommendation.

[sevenyearnight]

You have freshwater fish, it's not ethical to force them to live in brackish water. GSP's need high end brackish 1.018, but it's easier to maintain water quality at marine 1.020 - 1.022 SG.

[xrayjeeper83]

Ya agree with seven. Thats just asking for trouble. That GSP should be by itself, only needs min of 30g

[jenrkit84]

What do you suggest I do? As of right now its about 2", and from what I read and was 'told', they will be alright until about 5". As well as 2 LFS (not petsmart or petco) told me it should be fine since they all have the same temperment... Sorry for mispellings, responding from cell.

[sevenyearnight]

LFS's are just as bad about misinformation as the chains.
At 2", if I remember correctly, would be about the 1.010 - 1.015 SG.
You have been mislead on the temperament, freshwater at 2" isn't optimal, and your other fish will not survive in even low end brackish.

[jenrkit84]

Even the gouramis and eel? Sites have informed me they prefer traces of salt, including monsterfishforum.com
I'm sorry I'm not doubting anyone, just trying to figure out what to do. Possibly put it in my running hospital tank for the time being until I can upgrade him to his own?

[sevenyearnight]

If you really want to keep him, he would need his own tank.

[jenrkit84]

Ok I will give that a try, its only a 5 gallon that I have snails breeding in right now, but I will find him a bigger tank and such. Thank you for the honest 'kind' help.

[sevenyearnight]

I'm on a phone too, sorry if my answers are short. In and out of service. 5 gallons isn't going to be able to support his bioload, I don't suggest that.
MFK doesn't have the best reputation for good advice.
Again, sorry for the brevity, but I am being honest with you.

[sevenyearnight]

Fairly unlikely that you live by me, I have an empty 29 gallon :/

[jenrkit84]

No worries, I've had fish and tanks all my life, but finally making baby steps to more dificult fish. And when I say 5 gallons I mean for a very limited amount of time, a few days at the most. Perhapse one of those fuvel shelf systems.

Also, MFK, I try to stay off of there, very rude people I must say lol.

[jenrkit84]

Also, are there ANY freshwater community puffers I could look into?

[sevenyearnight]

What did you name your puffer?