I have two 1.5" GSPs in a 65 litre tank. At present they seem a little lost in there on there own. I am trying to find some info about an Algae eater that will help me a little with the maintenance. I have read that Plecos will adapt to BW tanks, If this is correct then will the Puffers leave him be to his job?
If Plecos will adapt and live in BW tanks does this apply to all types of Pleco?
Tank mates for GSPs
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Myaj
- Tech Team
- Posts: 4587
- Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2005 12:27 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Bubba, turgidus
Paris, lined burrfish - Location: SE Wisconsin
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Well you have a few problems here. GSP's need approximately 30 gallons each, which is about 120 liters each. So your tank is too small for one GSP to live a healthy life in, much less two. So you'll be needing a larger tank, soon.
As far as algae control, there really is not much you can do, since GSP's often try to eat anything. There are no plecos/algae eater type fish that adapt to brackish (or full marine, as GSP's need as they age) that I can think of. Mollies will eat some types of algae and can adapt from freshwater to full marine, but the tank is way too small, they don't eat ALL types of algae, and there is no guarentee the GSP's won't eat or kill them. Amano shrimp I *think* can be adapted to light brackish (for breeding purposes?), but shrimp is one of a puffer's favorite foods, so that probably wouldn't work either, and the shrimp would never be able to live in the higher salinities that the GSP's will need.
One thing to keep in mind when talking about brackish water... brackish water is made with marine salt, like Instant Ocean, not Aquarium Salt, like your local fish store probably told you. Pleco's do not do good at all in salt, though they may survive. It will damage their health in the end. Anyways, common plecos are scavengers, not algae eaters, so they wouldn't help algae issues anyways.
What kind of algae are you seeing? Brown? Hairy stuff (black or green)? Green spots? Green/blue-ish bubbly "carpets"?
As far as algae control, there really is not much you can do, since GSP's often try to eat anything. There are no plecos/algae eater type fish that adapt to brackish (or full marine, as GSP's need as they age) that I can think of. Mollies will eat some types of algae and can adapt from freshwater to full marine, but the tank is way too small, they don't eat ALL types of algae, and there is no guarentee the GSP's won't eat or kill them. Amano shrimp I *think* can be adapted to light brackish (for breeding purposes?), but shrimp is one of a puffer's favorite foods, so that probably wouldn't work either, and the shrimp would never be able to live in the higher salinities that the GSP's will need.
One thing to keep in mind when talking about brackish water... brackish water is made with marine salt, like Instant Ocean, not Aquarium Salt, like your local fish store probably told you. Pleco's do not do good at all in salt, though they may survive. It will damage their health in the end. Anyways, common plecos are scavengers, not algae eaters, so they wouldn't help algae issues anyways.
What kind of algae are you seeing? Brown? Hairy stuff (black or green)? Green spots? Green/blue-ish bubbly "carpets"?
Tank mates for GSPs
Thanks
I know that I will need a bigger tank as they grow and i have big designs for that. At present they are in this tank on there own, i am adding a little salt weekly to chage them from FW to BW. They were purchased 4 weeks ago from my LFS as FW fish. So the gradual change to BW should make them happier. Very careful with my water levels and monitoring the salt daily. Its great that the Forum is there for Help with us Novices and that you for your quick response.
I would appreciate it if some one could tell me is there any other fish that will live with them or do they attack everything?
There is not a lot of Info an Puffers out there.
I know that I will need a bigger tank as they grow and i have big designs for that. At present they are in this tank on there own, i am adding a little salt weekly to chage them from FW to BW. They were purchased 4 weeks ago from my LFS as FW fish. So the gradual change to BW should make them happier. Very careful with my water levels and monitoring the salt daily. Its great that the Forum is there for Help with us Novices and that you for your quick response.
I would appreciate it if some one could tell me is there any other fish that will live with them or do they attack everything?
There is not a lot of Info an Puffers out there.
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crazyforpuffs
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 107
- Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2005 6:46 pm
- Location: The Big Smoke, Ontario
As far as I know, there is no algea eaters (plecs) that can live in BW to SW.
The GSPs as well as a larger tank, will also require marine conditons as adults.
I have some mollies in with my GSPs - and they coexist quite well together.
The mollies can be adapted to BW and then to SW, as needed. Mind you - puffers are killers - and putting any other fish with them is a crap shoot. Sometimes they allow tank mates and sometimes they do not.
The GSPs as well as a larger tank, will also require marine conditons as adults.
I have some mollies in with my GSPs - and they coexist quite well together.
The mollies can be adapted to BW and then to SW, as needed. Mind you - puffers are killers - and putting any other fish with them is a crap shoot. Sometimes they allow tank mates and sometimes they do not.
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Myaj
- Tech Team
- Posts: 4587
- Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2005 12:27 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Bubba, turgidus
Paris, lined burrfish - Location: SE Wisconsin
- Contact:
I agree with RTR, I've tried about every algae eating fish, shrimp and snail out there and nothing removes green spot algae except an algae magnet, scrubbie pad or a very carefully wielded razor blade.
That's the thing with puffers, some allow tankmates, some don't. Some allow tankmates for years and suddenly kill them all, or just one certian one.. You never know.
That's the thing with puffers, some allow tankmates, some don't. Some allow tankmates for years and suddenly kill them all, or just one certian one.. You never know.