The Puffer Forum

LOL, what a bunch of jerks. I'd probably just complain that they lied about what fish they were and demand they take them back.

However, since you're going to be keeping them, I suggest you start saving for a 25-30 gallon tank. Look around for used tanks and such, as you can probably score some good-sized tanks for fairly cheap. The sooner you can get a 25-30 gallon, the better, as you can keep two of them in one 30 gallon for a bit until you find a permanent home for them. If you bought them when they're just babies then they can probably grow up together, depending on their attitude, of course.

Not much I can suggest other than trying to get them out of the 5 gallon as soon as possible. Is that 5 US gallons?

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Well, if you add dechlorinator (Prime makes a good version of this) to the tap water before adding it, it should be fine. But to be honest, you really shouldn't be keeping Green Spotted Puffers in a 5 gallon tank... it's very cruel for such a beautiful creature. If you had Dwarf Puffers, than sure, but not a GSP who can be severely stunted in a 5 gallon. If you were going to upgrade to a 20 gallon in a week or something, then sure, but if you plan on keeping them there for a long time (ie. more than a week or two), then you should either bring them back to the store, or give them to someone you know.

Leaving them in a tank that is WAY too small will cause stunting, which means their body stops growing, but all of their organs continue to grow as normal (which, if you can guess, isn't healthy at all). They're wonderful fish that are definitely worth keeping if you can get a larger tank, though. Even if you get a 20 gallon for a 4-5 months, they'll be good. Then you can upgrade to something larger later on (like a 55 gallon, for instance).

However, you mentioned that you don't have the space or money for a bigger tank, so yeah. I'd just hate to see you get really attached to them, and then have things go bad very quickly.

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Haha, yeah, it happens. I've never had problems returning fish if it was only 2-3 days after I got them. Then again, I don't ask, I just bring them in a bag and say "here, <blah> happened, and I'd like my money back, please." Apparently we don't have the same kinds of pet stores, haha! And the saddest part is they'd probably give you your money back if they were dead.

Yeah, you could take them back and ask for store credit/gift card instead. Often times they just don't want to lose money, so if you're agreeing to let them keep their money (in essence), they might not be opposed. I'm just speculating, though. They probably don't want them because they're on the verge of death or something, and a second move is likely to kill them.

Where are you located. Maybe someone here can take them for you?

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mike_freegan wrote:They're definitely not on the verge of death!

Whoops, I thought they were sick, but that was from a different post! ^_^ My apologies on that one.

I also agree with the statement of one water source for 15 species tank. If I owned a store, it would be a good reason not to re-introduce the fish. Then again, I'd likely keep a couple quarantine tanks for occasions like that. Having only a couple water sources for several tanks seems a bit scary, especially if the fish that come in get some form of disease.

that's why almost all walmart/petco/petsmart type places have sick and diseased fish. they don't know/care and let all they're fish get infected... at least that's one thing some LFS do is make sure they have healthy fish to sell.

I'd ask to talk to the owner of the store, and if they won't do the decent thing, then smear their name. or not, either way.
... I prefer to play dirty

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SOME stores will offer store credit, but it's more likely that they would just take them from you and put them in a good home. Ask them some questions about puffers first to see if they know how to keep them, though.

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Be sure to print my GAP article from the Library & bring it in with you. BTW, most of us do 50% weekly WC & on a severly overstocked tank, I'd be doing that 2-3x/week.

PP: Why would they need to know about the GAP?