Don't shoot me, I added another GSP

[Liz]

My tank is marine but I put this in the brackish section since most GSP people will probably hang out here most....

Anyways, for those of you who don't know, here's a backstory: I have a 50 gallon breeder, SW, FOWLR with a 3-4" GSP. According to everyone here, each needs 30 gallons MINIMUM (yay), and according to the people I work with who are also experienced marine aquariumpeople and who I also would like to trust a bit, I could fit a bit more in there. So I have another 1.5" - ish GSP in there, as of today, to try it out.

I figure they each have more than 30 gallons swimming space so that's not an issue, so now I'll try to cut back on feeding and see if I can handle the bioload with waterchanges etc.

I broke a rule, I know... is this something I am never to mention again in fear of being criticized and looked down upon?

[The Fisherman]

I would say that you didnt make the best decision, but i'm not gonna hate you or look down on you for it.

I would just say to plan on an upgrade when they both get bigger.

[lisalisa]

Not looked down upon per sey, but I, for one think you made a big mistake.

While your co-workers may know a lot about marine tanks, they are not puffer experts.

That tank is going to be too small for 2 adult full-grown GSP's. You set yourself up for a headache knowingly, and I can't support it, but I'm not going to rag on you too much, as you will realize your mistake in time, I assure you.

[The Fisherman]

Definitely acurately described by LL. The 2 GSPs will work for a little while, but once they get to be full grown its gonna be a headache.

[Liz]

Well thing is, the 3-4" doesn't seem to have grown much at all the past year, I don't know if he is stunted or what? I had him in a 25 gallon for about the first half year I had him....

We'll see how it does. The people at the place have kept marine puffers successfully but they just treat them like... well, a fish.

What's the worst? They wouldn't get stunted or anything, would they? Since they each have a 50 gallon tank to swim in, just sharing with another fishy. As far as I can see I have to keep my eye on agression and parameters.

[YBeNormal]

I found a 55g to be a tad tight for two GSPs alone and upgraded to a 75g this weekend. No matter what advice you received from your "experienced marine aquariumpeople", I think you've made a bad decision.

[OraLacerta]

But we still love you...

Everyone on here knows I had... 3 in a 20 gallon... Only for a few months and now they're in my friend's care but still... jeez.

Anyways...
These fish are so active and inquisitive you will probably see how cramped they're going to look in there with time. As for stunting, I'm not really sure what to think, because for now they probably are able to stay out of each others way and therefore won't be stressed, but as the little guy grows there could be some conflict as he tries to stake out a territory in a tank that has been the larger ones kingdom before he came along.

I don't think stunting should be entirely based on tank size although that is a factor. As RTR pointed out, stunting happens for a multitude of reasons including inadequate swimming room (of course) and also the absence of: proper water conditions, exercise, swimming room, a good diet, and proper decor.

In your tank they may have enough swimming room and I'm sure you've already set up the tank to properly suit GSPs, but as they grow larger that could change. I don't know what to think really, it's a big gamble on your part.

But nonetheless, as I said, we still love you!

Think about maybe upgrading sometime though.

[Dinsdale]

I used to have 2" GSP, named Doug, in a 30g Long that I just couldn't wait to move into a 75 or bigger. Unfortunately Doug died an unexpected death (won't go into details here) and I never got to see him in a bigger tank...but I just couldn't imagine one full grown (6"+) GSP in even a 55 gallon, let alone two. Puffers really need a lot of room...probably more than most aquarists (myself included) can afford to provide. A 25 gallon could definitely stunt a GSP - minimum is 30 gallons.

Since your puffers already have a big difference in size, the larger one will likely become more aggressive when it's an "adult"

I would either invest in a larger tank (75 or better) for both puffers, another smaller tank for the new GSP, or try to return the new guy. Your puffers will get stressed without enough room. Come on...do it for the puffers!

[YBeNormal]

I've noticed quite a difference in my GSPs since upgrading to a 75g last weekend. They are much more active and food aggression has dropped dramatically. Given their current sizes, I don't think that either of them was stunted in the 55G but I absolutely cannot imagine them thriving in a smaller tank.

[Pufferpunk]

I would keep a very close eye on them. GSPs are only OK to keep as conspecifics, when growing up from juvies together.

[Phaedrus]

Annie, get my gun....

[YBeNormal]

We love ya' Liz but...

Phaedrus, I'll bring the ammo!

[Liz]

Right now they totally ignore eachother, or ocassionally the smaller one follows the larger one. If that changes I'll take the little guy back.

I guess there is an upside, in that atleast when I take the little guy back he'll be sold as saltwater instead of fresh.

[lisalisa]

I guess there is an upside, in that atleast when I take the little guy back he'll be sold as saltwater instead of fresh.

You think? My bet would be that they'll plop him back in fresh.

[Liz]

No, I highly doubt that. Plus, if I take him back (I got him from the LFS I work at -if you call 6 hrs/week "working"-), I'd be putting him in the system anyways. They know I've acclimated GSPs to saltwater and that it is better for them, I don't see why they'd make me put him in fresh.