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.
ph 7.4
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrates 20-40
Salinity 1.000
temp 84
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.
10 gallon, 1 gsp (1"), Looking to get a 46 gallon this weekend
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)
Frozen bloodworms and snails, tried frozen plankton but he didn't like them.
Only had for about a week and a half but did a 50% water change prior to introduction to tank and than another about 5 days ago and another yesterday.
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.
The only change is that I started using RO water 50/50 with my tap water due to my tap water testing high for nitrates.
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.
The aquarium has been set up for about 6 weeks, I did a full cycle with fish.
I'm new to the puffer forum and puffer fish in general. I've been following this website since I setup my tank and find it to be a great source of information but this evening my GSP is not feeling so well. I've noticed that when I turn his light on in the am he is usually sleeping and will usually wake and greet me. He's been doing great since I got him including eating well and active. This morning he was sleeping like usual but didn't wake to come greet me. When I came home from work this evening he was sleeping again. He woke up for a short time when I opened his lid to test collect some water for testing. Than he went back to sleep. I noticed when he sleeps he seems to breath faster. Is this normal when they're sleeping? He also is very dark color when he sleeps but brightens up when awake. Anyhow I'm looking for some advice as to what could be going on. Thanks in advance!
New GSP not feeling well
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.
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Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
- Posts: 32987
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Puffers I have kept:
T lineatus
T miurus
A modestus
T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
C lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
- Location: Greenville, SC
- Contact:
Re: New GSP not feeling well
![[welcome]](./images/smilies/welcome.gif "welcome")
We really appreciate all the time you took to answer all those questions!
It seems that you have done everything right. Would it be possible to get a pic of him & also a pic of your entire tank?
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
Re: New GSP not feeling well
Here's some pics. I'm working on getting the pic of the tank to you.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Re: New GSP not feeling well
Here's the pic of the tank.
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Re: New GSP not feeling well
I'm not sure my pics came through?!
Re: New GSP not feeling well
Also I just found a box elder bug in the tank. Must have crawled in there somehow. Could he have ingested that?
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sgtmyers88
- Moderator
- Posts: 1296
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2012 12:37 am
- Gender: Male
- My Puffers: Green Spotted Puffers
- Location (country): USA
- Contact:
Re: New GSP not feeling well
They usually darken when sleeping. (sleep coloration to hide themselves from predators at night) Also if you suddenly turn the lights on they will act clumsy due to their sensitive eyes.
Also note that Puffers do have distinct personalities and can often sulk at the slightest of changes.
Also note that Puffers do have distinct personalities and can often sulk at the slightest of changes.
WARNING: Puffers are mischievous little blimps with enchanting powers. You may not be content with having just one.
Re: New GSP not feeling well
Unfortunately my little gsp passed away while I was at work today. 
I wish I could figure out what went wrong.
I wish I could figure out what went wrong.-
sgtmyers88
- Moderator
- Posts: 1296
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2012 12:37 am
- Gender: Male
- My Puffers: Green Spotted Puffers
- Location (country): USA
- Contact:
Re: New GSP not feeling well
Ugh this is the second report we had today of a loss. So sad.WARNING: Puffers are mischievous little blimps with enchanting powers. You may not be content with having just one.
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Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
- Posts: 32987
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Puffers I have kept:
T lineatus
T miurus
A modestus
T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
C lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
- Location: Greenville, SC
- Contact:
Re: New GSP not feeling well
So sorry to hear that...
Did you perchance buy this fish from Walmart?
Did you perchance buy this fish from Walmart?
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
-
sgtmyers88
- Moderator
- Posts: 1296
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2012 12:37 am
- Gender: Male
- My Puffers: Green Spotted Puffers
- Location (country): USA
- Contact:
Re: New GSP not feeling well
Dont give up!
WARNING: Puffers are mischievous little blimps with enchanting powers. You may not be content with having just one.
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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: New GSP not feeling well
That sucks, like stated before you did what was right for the fish, and yes don't give up. It is always a risk putting a wild caught fish in a glass box, it will likely turn out very differently next time
It's amazing how easy maintenance is. If done regularly and thoroughly
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purplecandle
- Mbu Puffer
- Posts: 2019
- Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2010 2:18 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Currently
2 Adult Green Spotted Puffers
1 Fangs Puffer
1 Baby Green Spotted Puffer - Location (country): USA (NC)
Re: New GSP not feeling well
Awww sorry to here this 
This is what sucks about being into puffers, sometimes they just don't make it...no matter what you do. It has happened to just about everyone here.
This is what sucks about being into puffers, sometimes they just don't make it...no matter what you do. It has happened to just about everyone here.
Re: New GSP not feeling well
Thanks for the kind words. I'm gonna try again but it is very discouraging. Nope he wasn't from Walmart.
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supgirl
- Dwarf Puffer
- Posts: 59
- Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2013 6:52 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: 3 GSP Puffers
1 Valentini Puffer
4 Red Legged Hermit Crabs - Location (country): USA
Midwest
Re: New GSP not feeling well
So sorry to hear of your loss. Hopefully the next one will thrive!