The Puffer Forum

Okay, I went back to where I got my puffer and asked for the species common name. I actually spoked with the person that ordered the puffers.

It is a Leopard Puffer which can live in freshwater or brackish water.

The gentlemen who ordered the puffers had a new batch come in and I spoke with the delivery person who told me the same thing.

I've done some research and they are sometimes confused with the "green spotted puffer"

Your fish is Tetraodon nigroviridis... it has several common names, including 'green spotted puffer' and 'leopard puffer'. They are one and the same fish. Plenty of animals and plants have more than one common name unfortunately. Common names are confusing, which is why it is always preferable to use latin names when you know them.
Tetraodon nigroviridis can be kept in fresh water when juvenile, but should then be kept in brackish to marine water once adult. http://www.pufferlist.com says: "The salinity should slowly be raised to at least 1.015, preferably full marine conditions. (no more than .002 SG per week)".
Whilst the person who sold you your puffer is correct about the common name being 'leopard puffer', he is confused about the conditions this species requires. Unfortunately plenty of people *do* keep Tetraodon nigroviridis in fresh water their whole lives and the result is a puffer with pale colouration which doesn't live nearly as long.
Go here and look under 'brackish water puffers' then 'Tetraodon nigroviridis'... http://www.pufferlist.com

You are so correct. I'm am not even questioning it anymore. The one I was so confused about died. My fiance bought me a new one and they tried to tell him that the Leopard Puffer was freshwater and he told them to look on the internet and he prove them wrong.

I have my new GSP puffer in brackish water and it loves it!

It is in a 35 gallon by itself.

Thanks for helping me with this much confusing puffer.

The pet store even offered me a job since I knew more about the puffer than them.

hehe well read a bit more and take them up on it. you may be saving lives.

It has saved this GSP's life. I even got it a buddy.

How soon will I need to upgrade the 35 gallon for my two GSP's? How big too?

Oh, I have them both in the same water and with sand in the tank. The new one is good but the other one is lazy. The lazy one is posted in the hospital. I'm about ready to move it to a 10 gallon for now.

I always suggest upgrading as soon as possible. Puffers are very easily stunted fish (I know because I have done it myself before we knew better), and especially so when trying to keep puffers together - aggression is made worse by insufficient space.

You need at least (that is minimum, not necessarily optimum) 30 gallons for each GSP, and increase in footprint (floorspace) is more important than the height of the tank IME.

You need to get a hydrometer, or better, a refractometer to measure salinity. It needs to be 1.004 to 1.008. When he gets a bit bigger, he will need more salt. Don't move him to a smaller tank. They need 30gal each. No tankmates because as they mature, the get more mean. Pufferpunk has an article on this site that she wrote about GSP care.


Kim

I know, I read it and actually printed it out. I'm currently looking for another tank for the second one.

They are both actually swimming around a lot more now. Thanks for the advice.

At the size they are at now, the 35g should hold them for a while. Definitely, at least a hydrometer is needed to measure salt (be sure it starts at 1.000). I think you're gonna be shocked at how much salt it really takes to raise a FW tank to SG of 1.008 (where yours should be at now)! Don't raise the SG more than 1.002/week though...

I came home from fishing the other day with a second tank and found the one rolling on the bottom with no fins at all. I had to do the great flush since Peanut was not breathing at all.

Am I imagining or did Gemstone kill it? I read that GSP's are fin nippers.

Gemstone is doing great. Still haven't decided on a final name for my puffer.

It's not far fetched that the larger one killed the smaller.

sassiegemstone wrote: I came home from fishing the other day with a second tank and found the one rolling on the bottom with no fins at all. I had to do the great flush since Peanut was not breathing at all.

Am I imagining or did Gemstone kill it? I read that GSP's are fin nippers.

Gemstone is doing great. Still haven't decided on a final name for my puffer.

I finally decided on a name for my puffer. I'm naming my puffer "Astro"

why Astro? Why not Gemstone?

Yeah your right, might as well as keep it gemstone. I just was thinking of something short for a name.

I like it better. Thanks.

I measured Gemstone this morning and Gemstone is a tiny bit over 2 inches. Growing fast.

Will a 35 Gallon be good enough for Gemstone?

Gemstone is the only GSP I have in the tank.

Just wish Gemstone would tolerate tank mates. Has a habit of bullying them.

I bet she'd be happy in a 35 by herself