The Puffer Forum

This is my first post so I hope this ends up in the correct place. I have wanted a puffer fish since I was five, quite a few years later (a lot actually) I am now taking the plunge. I have my brackish tank set up with the parameters recommended on here it is cycled and has for the moment a Mollie in it and guess what I can't find a GSP anywhere. Are they seasonal I live in England.

houseworkcankill wrote:This is my first post so I hope this ends up in the correct place. I have wanted a puffer fish since I was five, quite a few years later (a lot actually) I am now taking the plunge. I have my brackish tank set up with the parameters recommended on here it is cycled and has for the moment a Mollie in it and guess what I can't find a GSP anywhere. Are they seasonal I live in England.

I don't know about Europe. I know that every other corner you turn here in the US you'll see one. =/ and 97% of the stores or people don't know how to take care of them.

Thanks for your reply I hope I've researched enough not to fit into the 97% I have managed to track a fish down at Pets at Home which I suppose is our equivalent to Wallmart I've had a look at the poor little bugger I think It is Nogroviridis which is what I wanted but it is not in very good condition very thin and fin rot but lively and a good colour, they say it is in brackish but the shop did not have a hydrometer for me to check! I would rather wait and find a healthy specimen but I could be waiting a long time what are the chances of this 1 inch specimen fighting back to health with lots of tlc. I know you would have to be psychic but a knowlegable opinion would be appreciated.

I can answer for Europe GSP is the most common puffer in the trade. But around here, it can be a while between the times you even find a puffer in the LFS. But this is Norway (and everything in small in Norway)... And LFSs in Norway order a lot of fishes through Sweden... But what you will experience 99 % of the time, is that GSPs will be sold as a fresh water puffer (which it is not). I've seen it printed out spesific on the suppliers lists (still from Sweden ) : freshwater, so it's no wonder that the LFSs belive it too. I've tried to knock some sense into the head of one of the pet shop owners here where I live, but she just doesn't want to listen (but she doesn't want to listen to anyone about anything any time).

I think you can get your LFS to order a GSP from the suppliers at any time of the year. It shouldn't be difficult to get, at least if you have a nice LFS.

where about in england are you? I'm in bedfordshire and they are available here.

Hi I'm in Cheshire have tried ordering through several LFS all say yes we can get them in and then they can't. I have found one at Pets at Home horror if you can read my second posting I could do with some advice.

Firstly welcome to the forum

GSP are very common so I would wait until you find a healthy specimen, there's another meber from Cheshire, I think it was Pirus. Maybe see if they ahev found any local. Send them a PM

I give up Ive rung every lfs within forty miles I've ordered at every one, nothing, and today I tracked down a GSP in London they ship fish to you and they have stopped for the winter! I have been offered every other sort of puffer but not a GSP. Ah well - only been waiting fifty years! If anyone from cheshire England knows where I might try PLEASE let me know ta.

i saw 3 or 4 healthy (although with nipped fins) GSP's just last saturday in a lfs near milton keynes. I don't know how close that is to you, my geography is terrible!! They were even in a brackish tank and marked as 'unsociable fish, not to be put in a community tank' Quite a pleasant surprise, a LFS who seem to know something about the fish there selling!

Click me for Stock at Wildwoods for Mail Order

Welcome to the site

babspuffer wrote:They were even in a brackish tank and marked as 'unsociable fish, not to be put in a community tank' Quite a pleasant surprise, a LFS who seem to know something about the fish there selling!

Wow! I hope you let them know they do a good job

ok, just looked on a map. maybe just a little out of your way!!

Three hour drive too far unfortunately.

Dear Hilly have tried Wildwoods they have stopped shipping as too cold. Thanks anyway

houseworkcankill wrote:Dear Hilly have tried Wildwoods they have stopped shipping as too cold. Thanks anyway

Shame about that, wonder if the weather warms up a bit after christmas they might start up again. Other alternative is the Ceylon if you can fnd one of them more locally.