GSP on his own.

[AWAK.]

Hi,
Will someone please tell me can I keep my GSP on his own? or should I get him a tankmate? (as you must realise I have zilch experience with Puffers)
Txs.

[Woland]

Puffers in general do best as singletons.
You might however get lucky with GSP's as long as you choose specimens of identical size.
No guarantees though...

[MagicDragon]

It also depends on the tank size. If you have a 30 gallon- 1 gsp. If you have a 60 gallon- they 2 may be okay.

[Myaj]

Yes, you never know. Often they fight with each other or other tank mates, they may be fine for months and one day you find dead tankmates. Your chances of keeping more than one alive are better if you give them plenty of tank space (30+ gallons EACH), lots of caves/driftwood/decor territories and raise them together from as young as possible. Its generally not suggested to have one, let it decide the tank belongs to it, then add another, since they may often attack to defend the tank. Not all puffers, but is it worth the chance?

There's a great article about these fish at the top of this board, or in the library. Make sure you read up on them before deciding to keep them.

The basics: 30+ gallons EACH. Mid-range brackish water when young, full marine when adult. Aquarium salt does not make brackish conditions, no matter what your store tells you...

[K4tsujink3n]

Agreed with Myaj. I'd like to add the importance of broken lines of sight to that list, too.

[Pamela]

Yep, and little hidey holes - hollow logs (plastic ones), mangrove roots (plastic!)..think of two grouchy old men and their potting sheds.
Pami.

[AWAK.]

Hi,
Well thanks people, I have him or her in a 33g (US) and will stay like that,
saying that I find him to be boring, forever hiding. The only time I really see him is feeding time,once again thanks.

[Pamela]

Hiding? In what? Do you have a lot of decor in the tank? If you don't have much, that can lead to the hiding, as they don't feel there's enough cover to jet about and be safe.
Pami.

[ingo_1978]

Give him time... If I move my plants around my GSP gets spooked and hides for a bit... but once he's used to it he spends most the time sat at the front of tank looking out, waiting to be fed and every now and then doing a complete search tank and biting at anything that remotely looks like a snail.