The Puffer Forum

Hey, all! While I've learned a lot about puffers, I don't consider myself an expert... so thought I'd double check here. My hubby brought me home a new GSP today (yay!...I guess that means I get to keep all THREE tanks!). 3" long. from Walmart <gag>. In Freshwater, of course. I have been slowly bringing my brackish tank down...1.004 (natural salinity of my water..) Anywho, nitrates are a little high right now (10-15ppm) because my vacuum broke, but I got a new one the other day, and have been doing frequent (daily to every other day) 20-25% water changes for a couple of days to make up for it. Nitrites are still at 0 Tanks been cycling for months. Ammonia is 0, too. Temp is currently set slightly high ~85-86, in case there's any ick I can't see. Raised the salinity .002 once he became acclimated and settled. All things considered he seems to be in pretty good condition (for a walmart fish) from what I can tell. Minimal fin rot. Round Belly. Good coloring. Active. Only things I've noticed so far is a bit of hyperactivity (perhaps external parasite or fungus...w/out signs?) Occasionally rubbing against things...(all may be just due to new surroundings too...dunno). Also, some brown to grey coloring on his tail. Is it just part of his natural coloring or something to watch out for? Never seen such a thing. Also, he changes belly color more often than I change haircolor! (that's a feat!) I haven't been worried about it, because it always goes back to nice and white, with a good flourescent patch on his head. Any concern though? It's like he's bipolar or stresses out over EVERYTHING. He's not a big people fan if you're closer than a foot or so. LOL...although he doesn't mind ya if you're feeding him snails! Right now I feed him once a day, diet of brine shrimp, blood worms, and snails once a week. I also added a dose of melafix. I'll post pics below for your expert advice. Thanks! PS Also posting a bulletin regarding a name for him in the brackish puffer section - tried to stick to one topic per post this time.

Thanks a bunch!

J Bishop

PS Just had a coughing fit. Is that normal?

He looks to be in pretty good shape, considering his age, size, and that he was kept in freshwater for so long. He might be moody still because he's not in the brackish condition he likely prefers (usually at 3 inches, they are in high-end brackish or full marine).

Also, if he was stuck at a Walmart for that long, he's probably really skittish and nervous around people. Just give him some time, and hopefully he'll warm up to you.

It's impossible to see in your pictures, but in reference to the brown/grayish fins, I don't think it's a major problem if it just looks like a colour tint (the fin is still transparent and such). Both of my Ceylons have brown/grey colouring throughout their rear fin.

He looks fine. But i really cant tell as Agnate said.

Keep in mind, since GSP's are not bred in captivity (yet!) this guy is wild caught.

The younger ones adapt pretty easily, but at 3", that's getting pretty big/old and being caught, transported, sorted, transported, poked and stared at at Walmart, transported and put into a new tank at your home is a heck of a lot of stress to a fish that spent probably the previous 2 years happily swimming around in the wild.

So yes, he's bound to be a bit "nervous", which explains the darting around and color changing. Most likely he'll settle down. I know it sounds silly, but try to avoid wearing bright colors or placing bright colored things near him for now, some puffers really seem to be scared of the color red, etc, when they are first in captivity.

He looks okay from the pictures, maybe a little skinny but give him some time. You might have to deworm him if he starts to look skinny or have a sunken belly, but for now just try to keep the water clean and keep things as quiet and mellow around the tank as possible.

Thanks Myaj!
Wow, I didn't realize the life he probably had before I got him. He's warmed up a lot more now...he comes to the glass and such, and his color is very good!
Still don't know what to name him though This usually isn't an issue for me, but I'm having this rediculous mental block. Any ideas?
-Jess

Skipper?

That'll be my next one! Thanks C.P.!