Newbie Puffer owner.

[Aminar]

Ive read up on the fish, and followed all Instructions for My Green Spotted Puffer(Sir Fishyfishy McPuffpuff, I blame Sluggy Freelance for the wacky name). I'm looking for advice from Experience. Such as Salinity levels and the like. Also What a good diet routine is and how to feed him appropriately. Lastly what is a good tank size for a single 1.5 in Green puffer. The current one is way way to small.(3 Gallonish, Temporary till I can afford something bigger)
Thanks for any and all help.

[Phaedrus]

This article is a good start and answers all your questions. Check it out first and come back if you have any more questions.

Basically, 30 gallons per GSP. They grow to about 6inches if given proper conditions. It may seem like overkill now, but when he grows you'll see it was not wasted. They are also very messy and require that much water volume to help dilute their waste. Anything less is harder to manage.

You should use marine mix like instant ocean to raise the salinity. Get a hydrometer or refractometer to measure salinity. Raise the salinity by no more than 0.002 SG per week to allow the bacteria to adjust.

They don't do well with tankmates of any sort.

You can find a food guide here.

And check out the rest of the library.

BTW, how did you cycle the tank?

[Aminar]

I like the article, it's very informative. I still need advice on a tank size though.

[Phaedrus]

Read the article again, because you've obviously missed the part that talks about tank sizes.

[Aminar]

OK, I missed it. I'll try a 10 gallon tank within a week. I didn't expect it in a section labeled Health.

[Phaedrus]

10g will be ok for a short while, but if I were you I wouldn't get anything less than a 20g long tank. Eventually you'll have to upgrade anyway, and keeping them in small tanks will stunt them leading to shorter life spans and increased health risks.

Being in too small of a tank will also make them very bored and prone to pacing the glass endlessly. They are happiest and most fun to watch and interact with when they have a large enough tank with complex layout for them to play in.

And how did you cycle the tank?

[Aminar]

With a filter, I think.

[Pufferpunk]

Please read the article in our Library on Fishless Cycling. That is an option but you can always cycle instantly with a product called Bio-Spira. Add it to your filter right before adding the fish.

[Aminar]

OK, I had some of the chemical stuff, it came with My tank. I misunderstood the term cycling earlier. When i change tanks I'll get some more of the stuff.

[Boxermom]

The only "chemical stuff" that works for cycling is BioSpira. No other product can, regardless of what they claim.

[Aminar]

Just a couple ?'z.
I'm guessing because it's saltwater the water will be a bit foggy, right?
Or is something wrong w/ my filter?

Is it OK he's mostly a grass green w/ a lime green spot on his forehead?

Is it all right he has a dark line on his stomach between his two front fins?

[Phaedrus]

Do you have any test kits for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate? What are the readings?

I'm thinking your tank is probably not cycled and you're experiencing a bacteria bloom.

What is your water change schedule?

How long has the tank been set up?

What is the SG?

What kind of filter is it?

What chemicals have you been adding?

[Aminar]

The tanks been up for 3 days.
I have to pick up the testing stuff eventually. I plan on changing 1/4 of his water per week. It's a Carbon filter that mounts on the wall. I added some stuff to make the tap water safe, some salt, and the Biospira stuff.
I also have some plastic decorations.

[Phaedrus]

That sounds good. You'll really need to get an ammonia and nitrite test kit ASAP as they will tell you if the cycle has been successful.

[Aminar]

I found a 20 gal tank for 20 bucks so i picked it up(along w/ filter and heater and test kits.) Unfortunately I don't have a special light for it. How much light does my Fish need?