The Puffer Forum

sorry, for the stupid questions but i was just wondering a few things..
what happens if the green spotted puffer is raised in freshwater? i've read online that they will not grow as large and lose some color.
also what would happen if you tried to raise a black ghost knife(freshwater fish) in brackish water?

:] thanks for the help in advance

Early part of it's life when it's young is fine for a GSP but then it really needs to move to brackish for a long healthy life. I cant imagine a black ghost knife liking brackish water too much, it may survive in low brackish but it would most likely lead a much happier life in pure fresh.

They actually belont in opposite water. GSP=hard, alkaline, salty water. BGK=soft, acid, peat/dark water (tap is fine for them though). Neither will appreciate the other's water type. Also, the GSPg will pick on the knife.

Yeah the GSP wil suffer in FW as it ages and have many health issues. Thye have been found to live longer and better lives in BW. As for the BGK they are not suitable tankmates in the long term, I think the high end BW will kill them off. I have mine in very hard water for 6years ish with no ill effects though

your gsp will need a brackish setup for a full long healthy life. also i wouldnt mix a gsp with a bgk because they are shy fish.

You may even consider full marine as as they get older it seems to be better for their health.

yunachin wrote:You may even consider full marine as as they get older it seems to be better for their health.

Full marine shouldnt be considered better for their health. Full marine is long term considered cheaper running costs than high end brackish.

Hilly wrote:

yunachin wrote:You may even consider full marine as as they get older it seems to be better for their health.

Full marine shouldnt be considered better for their health. Full marine is long term considered cheaper running costs than high end brackish.

My gsp's are still in fw. I will be adding marine salt when the largest gsp is at 2 inches.

Hilly can you explain how full marine is cheaper to run then high end brackish and any other pro's and con's. I was lead to believe full marine would cost more to run.

Currently my tank has 90% crushed coral (the size of gravel) and 10% colored gravel on top of the crushed coral. I really do Not want to change the substrate. Can this substrate be used with either brackish or full marine?

The bottom line is want want my puffs set up the best way possible. Is brackish or marine best for them?

Hilly wrote:

yunachin wrote:You may even consider full marine as as they get older it seems to be better for their health.

Full marine shouldnt be considered better for their health. Full marine is long term considered cheaper running costs than high end brackish.

I was under the impression that is was. When I moved my GSP's from brackish to full marine their color got better and their attitudes got better. Does the long-term effect of a full marine habitat cause problems health wise as they age?

Individual fish will behave differently but high and brackish or marine should be pretty equal as far as health of the fish.

The savings are primarily in the cost salt as water changes can be done less frequently in marine when using a protien skimmer and live rock and/or sand.

I believe that crushed coral should be fine in any salinity.

A little bit off topic, but I saw like a 7 or 8 inch BGK at my not so LFS the other day. He looked really healthy. My mom is an impulse-buy-a-holic, so she wanted me to get him, but I said no. He was $15, but I knew that he wouldn't like my tank. My water's too hard for them.

I was an adviser of using CC, until I read this: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/sh ... hp?t=84113

My LFS guy was just telling me yesterday that I should be slowly changing my brachish to marine for my puffer. I know that is their life in the wild but... would a very brachish (is there such a thing?) keep them healthy and happy??? He told me I should as for 1 gal salt and 4 gal fresh when I buy my water. that way it would increase the salt over time.

?????
Mary-Rhea

They are actually rarely found in SW in the wild but seem to do best in high SG in captivity. We suggest marine conditions because there is better filtration available at that point, like a protein skimmer & live rock.

I only have my GSPs at marine for skimming and LR, the tank is still a brackish style setup with rock gravel, driftwood and live rock all together, though that will soon be changing, as my larger tank finally has the live sand and water in it so the gravel will soon be over. I need more biofiltering capacity,and the sand seems to be the best idea for that, though I prefer the look of my current tank, and may sprinkle some stones on top of the sand just for looks on 1/4 of the new tank.