The Puffer Forum

I have 6 GSPs. I have just migrated to light brackish. SG 1.002. They look much happier and healthier. Those smaller onces 1 to 1 1/2 inch seems to show brighter colors with white bellies. But the larger onces 1 1/2 to 2 inches still have some dark bellies but they look healthy to me.

As far as I understand dark bellies mean not so healthy. Is that true? How to make those bellies white and round?

I am moving this to the Hospital section. Please answer all the Qs at the top of that forum.

Just tested the water parameters:

1. PH-7.5, Ammonia-0, Nitrite-0, Nitrate-50mg/L. I'm surprise the sudden increase in Nitrate. I just migrated to BW couple of days. My current SG is about 1.001. Take note that I'm leaving in tropical climate country where the room temperature is high(94F) and humid (98%). I have a bio filter in my tank and it's been there about a month. During recycling process, I add some bacteria to the bio filter to quicken to recycle process. Is it because of over access of bacteria which leads to sudden increase in Nitrate?

2. I did a 80% water change about a week ago and thereafter 20% change every alternate days in the process of migrating from FW to BW.

3. I added some artificial rocks in the tank two days ago.

Surprisingly, this morning most of my GSPs bellies have turned white except two larger ones (about 2 inches). They still looks healthy.

I'm quite concern about the 50mg/L increase in Nitrate. I think I have to do immediate water change.

While 50 is still not too bad for a fish (really bad for inverts), you should try to lower it. I'm more concerned w/the temp. what is it in the tank?

I did a 80% water change today and increase the SG to 1.002. At the same time, I've lowered the room temperature to around 72F. I have switch in the room air-condition. Will perform the water test again tomorrow and update you with the latest results.

I have marine sand covering the bottom of the sand and artificial rocks. Will try to take a photo of my tank and post it.

I wouldn't make the tank any lower than 76. How large is the tank? Have you checked the water parameters (ammonia, nitrIte, nitrAte, pH)?

Have you tested your water straight from the tap for nitrates? I reckon, though, it's cos of the big bioload in the tank. I see a lot of water changes for you......
Still, at least they're getting settled now. What's your feeding schedule? Make sure that you remove any uneaten food after a few mins, just to help out.
Pami.

I have 4 GSP's...ranging in size from 1" to 3". The larger one has a black belly, splotchy at best - but is as healthy as can be...with a very nice neon green patch on his head.

The other GSP's have the typical round white bellies. Belly colour is not always an indication of poor health. Some GSP's just have a darker belly.

Do your GSP's with the darker bellies have the neon patch on the head? If so, I wouldn't worry about their belly colour.

All GSPs have nice neon green patch. They eat like normal. Looks healthy. Their bellies color are not consistent. Sometimes white, sometimes dark.

This morning water parameters: Ammonia=0, Nitrite=0, Nitrate=10mg/L, PH=7.5. I feed them once a day with frozen blood worms and ghost shrimps.

Try to get the pH higher by changing substrate over to crushed coral or aragonite (8 is preferred). If they are eating & swimming normally & their colors change back & forth, not to worry.

Sorry. I'm totally ignorant about substrate and aragonite. What are these stuff. Can you explain more about this? Thanks

"Substrate" is anything you use in the bottom of your tank. Examples of substrate would be gravel, sand, aragonite, calcite, crushed coral, etc. If you use aragonite, calcite, or crused coral as your substrate it will buffer the water resulting in a stabalized PH of about 8.0.