Little Dude has me confused.

[GenFinn]

I own a GSP, General Finn. Water and salinity is fine. He eats and is active. Great colors! But there seems to be a problem. I know bobbing up and down on the side of the tank is a sign of boredom and that the tanks should be heavily decorated to keep them occupied. But General Finn doesn't like decorations! I set up his tank, put him in. He explored for a minute then went to a corner of his tank laid on the bottom with his tail curled, colors darkened and sulked. So I moved him to my 'hospital tank' and he perked right up, even tried jumping out of the hospital tank as I checked his water and all. After making sure everything was fine, I re-introduced him into his environment... and he went back to sulking. So I removed him, and all of his lovely decorations, put him back in the tank and he looked around then started bobbing.

I don't want the poor guy to be bored... but he doesn't like decorations it seems.
Help!

[bertie 83]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Puffers are highly intelligent and do seem to sulk in new surroundings, they generally come round in their own time. Repeatedly moving him will not help. What salinity are you keeping him at in the hospital tank and what sg is the main tank? Was the tank cycled prior to adding him? If so how? Sorry for the 20 questions lol

[GenFinn]

Thanks! Hope to become a big part of the forum as I will be getting more puffers. I just love the little guys.

I'm not sure what the salinity of the hospital tank was when I moved him into it, as its a small cube bowl thing, I kept it as a hospital tank for my betta (never had to use it thankfully). Im working on getting one especially for General. I'm a new puffer owner, so I am still learning at the moment. The salinity of the main tank is .005 (Which is normal isn't it?) I cycled it like my dad taught me. He took the water from his sponge filter and poured it into the new tank, let it brew for a bit then introduced General to it.

If I am doing anything wrong, let me know! I want to be successful and keep General for many years.
Thanks

[sgtmyers88]

You should check out this great little article on your GSP written by our forum administrator: library/puffers-in-focus/an-introductio ... d-puffers/

[bertie 83]

Do you have a water testing kit? If you added some of the sponge to your tank it would help more. Filter squeezings should be added direct to the new filter, this can speed up cycling but by no means instantly cycles it. You need to slowly acclimate him to the display tank, then when your tank is stable you can up the sg more in steps of 0.002 per week to hit the higher target sg a gsp needs. Be warned you will likely have many large water changes in your near future.

[PufferMe!]

I think GSP's are smart, and probably should not be caught and kept as pets. Having one now myself, I see the same thing. I know there is nothing wrong with my water, and he is by himself with one Damsel fish in a 75 gallon with lots of live rock, and corals. He just "glass surfs". I wouldn't get another GSP because I do think they just may not do well in captivity. My 2 cents. I bet many people see this, but not all. Probably just depends on your GSP.

I totally agree however, they do not do well when they are put in a new surrounding. Let him get used to his digs

Gwen

[GenFinn]

Sgtmyers, got around to reading that earlier. Very informative. My brother, who owns a fantastic marine aquarium (Built into his living room wall) came over (brought me a bigger tank as well!) and helped me set up the bigger tank and it is cycling as we speak. Tomorrow we will test it and begin introducing General to his new home. Complete with plants, rocks, and a Tardis.

Do they often curl their tails and hide in the back of the tank? I noticed General doing that this morning. But when I got home he was bobbing and swimming. Even greeted me at the glass when I walked over to him.

Thanks
Chris

[purplecandle]

LOL, it sounds like your gsp just threw a temper tantrum and you gave in immediately. Give him some time to adjust. He is probably just scared and he may think that the decor hides something that can eat him.

[bertie 83]

Hold up just re read, sg .005? How has the new tank been set up and "cycled"? The reason I ask is because there are many misconceptions about tank cycling and I want your buddy to be fit and well. Run out tomorrow and grab a bottle of tetra safe start ( don't let them sell you anything different as this is probably the only bacteria product that seems to work). Add the sponges from your old filter (or add the old filter to the new tank) put the safestart into your filter and boom you should be golden. Grab a decent liquid test kit and keep an eye out. You want to eventually aim for a high sg or even marine conditions as your gsp will thrive and defo thank you for it

[GenFinn]

Update on General Finn.
He is in his new bigger tank. I had a 15 gal first but my brother gave me a 25 gal. I know it is recommended to have a 30, but due to apartment regulations I can only have a 25. He sulked for about 2 hours... but is now exploring everything. Even pulled one of his plants over then hid under it. I was going to upright it but I figured he wanted it that way so I left it. But he seems happier!

My brother did all the set up and cycling when I was at work. I picked up some tetra start right when I got my betta but I wasn't sure I could use that as well with my puff. Thanks for the info. He still curls up and hides behind a rock, is that how they sleep? He doesn't stay like that long... Normally perks up when I walk over or turn on the kitchen light (even though he has a lit tank).

[bertie 83]

A tank cycle takes weeks to do properly. Tetra safe start will help you no end. If this is not added you will need to do lots of very large water partials if you wish for him to stay healthy. Add the safe start direct to your filter, no other bacteria product should be purchased as most are rubbish in a bottle. Good luck

[sgtmyers88]

Check this out: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=32416

You could try to slip in a 36 Bowfront or a 40 Breeder and call it a 20 something gallon tank. lol

[Pufferpunk]

Believe me--your landlord does not know the difference between a 25 or 30g tank.

[purplecandle]

Believe me--your landlord does not know the difference between a 25 or 30g tank.

For proof that this statement is correct, look at tanks on sale on craigslist.

[GenFinn]

I didn't figure she couldn't tell since I can't really. So when I get the money I might push for that extra 5 gallons. ;p I have now found it impossible to go to my lfs, I just want to buy all the fish. who knew keeping fish was so addicting.