Dwarf Puffer Question

[Daria101]

Could you really?

I've been looking for some grassy aquatic plants for my tank but my LFS and Petco don't have any! =/

I've had him for about 2 weeks now! I'm glad he's still hanging tough.

[golden_puff]

aww glad he is doing well he is so cute good luck with him

[Daria101]

=(

I did a water change today for his tank and the poor guy didn't make it.

I'm bummed.

[Mareva]

So sorry for your loss...
What happened?
A WC normaly doesn't kill a fish! Did he show sing of not being well before the WC?
So sorry again..

[Daria101]

He was doing extremely well before the WC.

I had fed him a hour prior and he seemed fine.

=(

[Mareva]

So, how did he died? You filled the tank and then he was floating upside down? Or did he show signs of not being ok? Sorry to ask those questions but if we find out what happen we can help other prevent loosing their puffer the same way...

[Dwarfpuffer2008]

Sorry to hear about your DP...how much water did you take out? was it Tap? did you treat the water? when I do water changes..I take out 3 gallons at a time...fill it back with 3 gallons....wait 15 minutes..take another 3 gallons out...add 3 gallons back...instead of taking out a large amount at one time and adding it back at one time..so if there is any problems..I can correct it right away...you may of taken to much water out, I know you have a small tank...I don't know it's really hard to say...but let us know...

[Daria101]

I think I just took too much water out and replaced it with tap water too quickly.
His color became really dark green and he just started settling at the top of the tank, which is odd for him because he's usually swimming about.

I've done water changes before..I think I made an error by taking/refilling the tank drastically instead of taking my time.

I just got a new 10 gallon set up in the cycling process for him. =/

[Dwarfpuffer2008]

Do you treat your Tap before putting into Tank?

[Daria101]

No. I unfortunately didn't.

I have a 200 gallon tank in our living room & never had problems with water changes.

I now have a empty 10 gallon cycled tank waiting for new inhabitants.

I'm debating on getting new dwarf puffers or F8s.
I haven't seen any F8s @ my LFS. Do they tolerate FW?

I've also successfully bred pond snails that I got from Petco in a seperate tank. I thought that was interesting. No luck breeding the ghost shrimps I had in there with them.

[Nick]

F8's tolerate neither long term FW nor a ten gallon long term, the tank is perfect for a trio of DPs though.

[thejoie]

i have 3 DPs in a 10 gallon and they're doing great!! I'm really sorry about your loss.... I love my DPs...

Good luck the second time around!

[Dwarfpuffer2008]

you should always use treatment when doing water changes(USING TAP WATER)...I would recommend a product that elimanates Ammonia, chlorine and fatal CHLORAMINE...such as jungle brand ACE..you have to remember puffers are scaleless...any type of drastic changes to the water can be fatal...I do 20 to 30% water change per week...using a 3 gallon bucket...taking out 3 gallons at a time...adding 3 gallons of treated water..waiting 15 minutes...and repeating the process...Indianapolis has the foremost worse water...and i've lived all over the USA...DP's have been the most challenging fish for me...lots of trial and error..and alot of research..(2months with the DP's)I bought my DP's in California and had them shipped next day arrival..I also have a 55 Gallon..all hardy fish and inverts..alot easier to care for...this method has worked for me with no problems...just a suggestion..

[thejoie]

yea I always treat my water before WCs too. I usually do a water conditioner and a stress coat too... juuuuuust in case. DPs just seem so small and fragile, like they're almost waiting for disaster to strike...

[Daria101]

I just picked up some water treatment for my future WC(s).

I brought this little guy/gal home. Trying to decipher the sex. I'm thinking its a female?