The Puffer Forum

I got 2 little GSP both no bigger then a inch, I have had them just over 2 weeks now but last week I did move them to a larger tank. Both tanks were cycled and are doing fine But now my GSP are not eating as much as they did while in the smaller tank and 1 of my GSP is getting a dark coloration under his belly. The also Have been spending more time just laying on the bottom hiding. I did however was do some work on the tank beside it and turned off the power bar for the heater and forget to turn it back on till the morning but they were still showing signs of the illness before that but I hope it did not make it worse. I do not have them in a Brackish tank yet, seeing they are still babies. Any ideas people and what I can do?

Do you notice if they are active at night? Mine likes to sleep all day then swim around at night time.

What are your readings on water quality? Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, KH, and so on. What sort of water are you using? Conditioned tap or RO or other? What are you currently feeding them? When exactly did you move them as it might be the stress of the move is having an effect... also did you acclimatise them like you would a new fish? Sorry about all the questions but it's quite important to be able to help you and your puff puffs!!

I have the same problem.. My readings where all fine.. dont know what to do.. my gsp wont eat anything other then ghost shrimp and blood worms.. I tried to feed them tiny snail but they have no intrest. My current temperature in the tank is 82F. I just got my puffers like a month ago and they were fine. They just started to develop this dark sided belly and coloration fading a couple of days ago. my gsp does the same thing, they just either hit in my pvc tube i put in there or lie on the bottom. any suggestions?

what you are seeing is probably the typical reaction of puffers to new surroundings. They sulk and don't we feel bad about it!!! Given time they should be ok assuming that you water chemistry is spot on I wouldn't worry. Posting your test results so we can rule that out would be a help

With regard to eating snails they wont bother if you are offering other food, I suggest not feeding anything else for a few days and maybe crack a snail so they learn its edible. Normally their curiuos mind comes into play as I'm pretty sure they swim around thinking "OOOH can I eat that?" and it wont be long till your tank is snail free.

Have you read the GSP article in the library, its a must read