The Puffer Forum

I agree, as far as I can see you have 2 options:

1) Get a 30 gal tank.

2) If you really can't do that, find someone who does have a 30 + gal tank and let them look after it, maybe at least until you can afford to properly house it.

Well I got the water tested and everything was normal, I forgot to ask for the numbers, though. I asked the guy at the aquarium place about keeping him in a ten gallon all his life and he said that my pufferfish would only get like an inch and a half long.. so maybe I don't really have a green spotted puffer? Can anyone tell from looking at my picture what kind he is? Also he said a teaspoon of salt per gallon is all he needs...
Is it possible I have something that's not a green spotted puffer?

Also, Petri is totally back to normal now and is swimming around happily and already ate all the feeder snails I got him

Did you look at the puffers in the GSP article in our Library? Those are 6" adults who lived in a 55g tank. I'd need a better side view of your puffer to tell for sure but you can compare it to the pics in our Pufferpedia. If you do indeed have a GSP & those guys at the shop think they only grow to 1 1/2", then they have never laid eyes on a full-grown adult that was kept properly & obviously have no clue...

Agreed, there's no way to tell from your avatar photo. We need a side shot.

If you got it from AU, it could be just about any sort of puffer as they do carry several types, even getting somewhat rare species in. They generally do have their species ID correct, even if their care info is incorrect, so more than likely if they told you it is a GSP, it is a GSP. Try to post a photo of a side view, and look in the Pufferpedia and Library for more info on the different species (both are found under the "Learn" tab in the header bar).

It was maybe two hours between removing the tetras and putting the pufferfish in. I did it all within the same day, so the bacteria was still a-ok.

Alright, well, thankyou for the information. Right now I'm going to focus on making sure I get the water conditions right and cleaning the tank correctly, before I start thinking/saving up for a 30 gallon tank.

If your puffer will make it that long.