The Puffer Forum

I just have to share this with you all: the effect the SG has on BW puffers.
I recently had a drop in the SG. It was like that for a long time, without my knowledge. One day I mesured the SG, and found it riddiculously low, both in the F8 tank and the GSP tank. So low that you can't talk about BW anymore. After a slow rise of the SG (had to take it slowly, to make sure the filter stayed cycled), I was back to normal. And you can see the result! My F8's colors are so much brighter - they are really beautiful now, with nice and bright markings on their back. My GSP is really a wimp, and still is. But when the SG rises, she gets around a little more. At least she is not hiding all the time. She leaves her corner (under the filter - she always hides there), and takes some trips around the tank. But she still hurries back to her corner when she sees me pass by. *note to myself: when I get new tanks, move my GSP to one of them. She needs a bigger tank*
I've experienced before that my GSP gets more around when the SG is higher, so I am sure that is what makes the difference.

So this is just one more proof that F8s and GSPs belong i BW. They really have a better life then.

When I added marine salt to my gsp's tank I too noticed a difference in both of them. No more long naps. Almost No territorial issues even at feeding (except for a short time when I had an out break of the mysterious tiny wiggly spaz worms that have almost been eradicated completely). The two of them swimming in harmony. It's a sight to see them do the happy dance every week when I do their WC. They swim almost intertwined through the water I add w/ the marine salt.

My GSP also show brighter colors now. It's good to see the difference.

Yes! My larger gsp was always duller then the smaller one. Not since I have added marine salt.

I 100% agree. The few GSP's and F8's i've seen kept in FW long term never look as good or healthly compared to those seen in BW

i agree. since the SG has been raised to the "proper level" in my puffer tank my gsp has so much more personality and is a LOT more active and inquisitive.

My gsp's are in full marine sg 1.020 (guessing that is full marine). They are only about 3" and it may have been too soon but I swear they have really gained weight after the sg change. They are so plump and round, they almost look like they are puffed up. I also have my stars & stripes in the same tank. I belive Cheech & Chong(gsp's) are totally in love with Elvis(8" s&s). They have 6 feet of room to swim around in and all three of them stay in the same cave. I have at least 5 caves in the tank. They just love their big brother.

edmlfc1 wrote:They have 6 feet of room to swim around in and all three of them stay in the same cave. I have at least 5 caves in the tank. They just love their big brother.

Awwwww, that's so cute! I hope your GSPs will learn cool tricks from Elvis the big bro.