The Puffer Forum

I just bought a very small Figure 8 puffer. I had originally planned to get a GSP but when I got to the fish store, F8's were all they had, and I couldn't resist. If I get a small GSP soon will it live happily with the F8? I know they are more aggressive when older, but I've also heard if they live together from the start they won't be?
Before the fish, I added some 'stability' my tank to make sure the ammonia levels stay under control, and the LFS said to wait to add a second fish. How long?

Have you tested your water parameters?

Yes, I have testing strips and everything seems normal.

Don't bother with the stability, it will do more harm than good.
GSP's and F8's both live in different waters. F8's are low brackish, while GSP's like high brackish-full marine. So no don't get the GSP, if anything get another F8.... what size tank is it?

25g

How did you cycle the tank? That's a good size for 2 F8s.

I cycled it with Stability.

How's that working out for you? Have you tested the water yet?

I've had the puffer for a week now and he seems fine. I have tested the ph and its normal, and sg is good, but I haven't tested for ammonia or nitrates.

Ammonia & nitrite are the 2 most important things you should be testing for in a new tank.

I went and bought more detailed strips and just tested my tank-

ph 8
nitrates 20
nitrites .5
ammonia .25

This is after adding the F8 and adding stability every day for a week. So, it seems like ph and nitrates are good. Could I add another F8 when my nitrites and ammonia are 0? And, should I try to add something to lower the ammonia or is it best just to wait it out? I feel like if I wait long then my first puffer might get territorial.

If you move the GSP to another tank, a 25 is a good size for two figure 8's. Do large volume water changes daily until ammonia and nitrites stay at zero.

I don't have a GSP, just one F8 in the tank. The LFS told me to wait two months to add another fish but when I can get ammonia and nitrites to stay steady at zero I can, right?

Actually, you would have been best to fishless cycle the tank, before adding the puffer (read the article on this in our Library). Cycling a tank with fish--expecially one as sensitive to those toxins as a puffer--is never good for the fish.

Well, I've had several fish before and actually never took special care to "cycle" a tank. I've never had problems with fish, but i guess the puffers are just a lot more sensitive. My LFS told me to use the stability with the puffer and he would be fine. I figured they knew what the were talking about b/c they only have fish- and hundreds of them at that. I never saw dead or even sick fish in there. Anyways, the puffer is doing fine and I can't go back now . But- I am asking if I can add another when these levels are constant at 0.