The Puffer Forum

Please do at least two 75% water changes per day. It's very important. Ammonia and nitrite will cause permanent damage to your fish and it is very painful for them. Puffers are much more sensitive than other fish. I wouldn't bother with smaller 50% changes. Make them as large as you can without removing the fish from the tank.

Also, remember to dechlorinate your water and make sure it is the same temperature as the tap water.

Flutter wrote: temperature as the tap water.

tank water no?

Yeppers Tap water temperature needs to be the same as the tank water temperature

I use Aqua Safe by TetraAqua to dechlorinate my tap water. And I make sure it is warmish so its about the same temp as the tank. I am going to do a water change right now.

I do have a question though: How many days can puffers go without food? I know that I am supposed to skip one day and that is not a problem, but I am leaving for thanksgiving break tomorrow and my sister will feed them until she leaves on Wednesday. We won't be back until Friday night/Saturday morning.... Will they be ok? Or should I find someone to feed them on those days? I am really worried about them. And my RAs are throwing a fit that I am leaving them in the first place but I am not allowed to transport them home per my parents rules. I am going to take them home during Christmas though. If they permit me to use the 46g tank that I have sitting in my room during Christmas I will have to move them to a 10g tank for about 28 days... Is this acceptable?


Thank you all in advance for your help. I am just trying to do my best for them.

I also have been told that my BF is willing to buy me a 120g tank or however large I need for them when I move out of here and into a place that will allow it. (that will be this summer or the fall of 2011)..... What size tank do you recommend?

they will be ok. i would just feed reguarly on sunday and make thursday their day off from food. and if they have to wait an extra 12 or so hours its not big deal because you didnt already skip a day. i wouldnt suggest getting them into a 10 after upgrading to a 46 even if its just short term. it will make them feel extra cramped because they were just in a larger tank IMO, especially for almost a month when they might be growing once in a larger tank. im not sure what to suggest as far as that goes and christmas break other than the obvious answer of move the 46 back with you, which from what im getting isnt an option. during that time that your on christmas break is the tank going to be emptied and all? the minimum you should get if all 3 are alive at that time is a 90(30 recommended for each) but the bigger the better if you can get a 120 go for it, gives you more water volume which would help keep tip top water quality

I am having a hard enough time getting the 46g approved. When I move out I will get a bigger tank but as for now I am unsure if I will even get the 46. I am hopeful but I dunno...

After the water change here are the parameters:
nitrate-10
nitrite-10
hardness-75
alkalinity-120
PH-7.8
Ammonia-.5



And as for moving the 46g with me, I am not allowed to as it is not even my tank (it is borrowed). My parents aren't even wanting to let me bring the 10g..... But I may get them to agree to it... :/

Do you realize how long these guys live for? What's going to happen to them when you finish college? Who's going to do water changes when your away twice a day every day? These are all things you have to think about.....

I'm not too worried about years from now (yet), although I am concerned about your leaving this tank for a few with the problem of doing all those water changes while your away. Feeding's no big deal--they can go several days without food.

What year of college are you in now?

Yeah I agree, I have a bad feeling about them being left with no one to do WCs when in that kind of condition.

I am a Junior in College. and the guy I have doing the feedings is also doing the WCs. I showed him everything. And showed him the log so that he would do it and I could track it.

Great job you're doing--kudos to you!

I am doing my best.

Any news on permission for the larger tank?

I will find out for sure after thanskgiving my RD is being slow...

ahhh man these poor little GSPs.......