The Puffer Forum

the black belly generally is a sign of stress. some do change back and forth, but it should usually be white unless startled or just upset about something. check your water and make sure everything is looking good. btw, how big is your tank, and how big are the puffers?

FudgePudgeNibbler wrote:your puffer will be fine....my gsp does that all the time...usually when the lights are off....after the lights go on...and after i feed it...its belly is white again....i have 2 gsps and 1 figure 8 in the same tank...and only one gsp does that...

This is a bad advice.
The puffers will sustain damage in a to small uncycled tank.
In most cases a black belly is a sign of stress.
Stress can emerge in a feeding situation, sudden changes in light, feeling vulnerable, over aggression and territorial issues, and finally:
when water conditions are BAD.

Firey One
Your tank is to small for even one GSP, it is overstocked and uncycled.
Trust the puffer who shows discomfort and resolve the situation.
Take the fish back to the place you bought it.

Woland wrote:

FudgePudgeNibbler wrote:your puffer will be fine....my gsp does that all the time...usually when the lights are off....after the lights go on...and after i feed it...its belly is white again....i have 2 gsps and 1 figure 8 in the same tank...and only one gsp does that...

This is a bad advice.
The puffers will sustain damage in a to small uncycled tank.
In most cases a black belly is a sign of stress.
Stress can emerge in a feeding situation, sudden changes in light, feeling vulnerable, over aggression and territorial issues, and finally:
when water conditions are BAD.

Firey One
Your tank is to small for even one GSP, it is overstocked and uncycled.
Trust the puffer who shows discomfort and resolve the situation.
Take the fish back to the place you bought it.

theyll be fine

FudgePudgeNibbler wrote:

Woland wrote:

FudgePudgeNibbler wrote:your puffer will be fine....my gsp does that all the time...usually when the lights are off....after the lights go on...and after i feed it...its belly is white again....i have 2 gsps and 1 figure 8 in the same tank...and only one gsp does that...

This is a bad advice.
The puffers will sustain damage in a to small uncycled tank.
In most cases a black belly is a sign of stress.
Stress can emerge in a feeding situation, sudden changes in light, feeling vulnerable, over aggression and territorial issues, and finally:
when water conditions are BAD.

Firey One
Your tank is to small for even one GSP, it is overstocked and uncycled.
Trust the puffer who shows discomfort and resolve the situation.
Take the fish back to the place you bought it.

theyll be fine

there is a time to argue your opinion, sorry but this isn't it...
Firey One, please take Wolands advice as he is a very knowledgeable leader in the forum. as are the rest of the team.

FudgePudgeNibbler wrote:

Woland wrote:

FudgePudgeNibbler wrote:your puffer will be fine....my gsp does that all the time...usually when the lights are off....after the lights go on...and after i feed it...its belly is white again....i have 2 gsps and 1 figure 8 in the same tank...and only one gsp does that...

This is a bad advice.
The puffers will sustain damage in a to small uncycled tank.
In most cases a black belly is a sign of stress.
Stress can emerge in a feeding situation, sudden changes in light, feeling vulnerable, over aggression and territorial issues, and finally:
when water conditions are BAD.

Firey One
Your tank is to small for even one GSP, it is overstocked and uncycled.
Trust the puffer who shows discomfort and resolve the situation.
Take the fish back to the place you bought it.

theyll be fine

You're giving very bad advice. They will not be "fine". A Green Spotted Puffer needs a larger tank to survive. It's guaranteed to die in a tank that small. Sudden changes in belly color are caused by stress, and in this situation, being in a tank too small and bad water conditions.

These fish need a larger tank. If you can't afford to buy a new one try looking on craigslist, or placing an add in your paper. You'll be surprised what you find. If you can't get them into a larger tank soon then you'll have to re-home them.