The Puffer Forum

Hello all long term GSP keepers!

We are looking for people who have kept young GSP's in full marine conditions for more than a few months, preferably a few years, to share their experiences.

We know from testing that GSP's do better in brackish than they do in freshwater, and that they do better in higher levels of brackish as they age.. but we don't know if putting them in full marine at an early age seems to harm them in any way.

Please post here with your experiences..

What size was it when you moved it into full marine? (since we're mainly looking for how this affects little guys put into full marine, instead of moving them only when they are larger)
Did the fish survive?
How long was it/is it in full marine?
How large did it grow, and how fast?
Did you notice any stress, lack of eating, poor coloration, weight loss, etc?
Did you return it to brackish levels at any point?
If it died, how long was it alive?
Etc, etc...

Did the fish survive?
--Yes

How long was it/is it in full marine?

--Little and Middle have been in full marine for almost 2 years now.

How large did it grow, and how fast?

--I am really bad at growth rates considering everyone here (fish wise) over eats. They did get rather fat.


Did you notice any stress, lack of eating, poor coloration, weight loss, etc?

--Quite the opposite. I saw bright white bellies and improved attitudes from them both.

Did you return it to brackish levels at any point?

--No
If it died, how long was it alive?

I am sure I could add more if needed. Mind is running a bit slow for now.
Etc, etc...

Did the fish survive?
Yes, Tucker is still awesome.
How long was it/is it in full marine?
8 months
How large did it grow, and how fast?
Went from 1.5" to 2.5"
Did you notice any stress, lack of eating, poor coloration, weight loss, etc?
The opposite
Did you return it to brackish levels at any point?
Yes, got too nippy with Shakespeare
If it died, how long was it alive?
He's alive and quite lively.

Did the fish survive?
Oh Yes

Size of puffer before moving to marine?
Approx 2" - 2.5" inc. tail

How long was it/is it in full marine?
About 6 months now

How large did it grow, and how fast?
Since starting the rise from low-mid brackish s/he's grown about 1.5" to 2", now at about 4" inc. tail

Did you notice any stress, lack of eating, poor coloration, weight loss, etc?
No lack of appetite, but did notice a bit of erratic behaviour while passing through mid brackish territory

Did you return it to brackish levels at any point?
Nope

If it died, how long was it alive?
Still living, and as excitable and hungry as ever

Thanks for posting this, it was something I was wondering about myself. I have my little 2" GSPs at 1.010 right now, and I'm planning on moving it up to 1.013 when I get their new big tank all setup and cycled. So looks like it should work out just fine

Chong was raised from fw to sw over a period of 4 months at that time he was about 2.5"-3". I will update my post every 3 months.
Did the fish survive?
Yes
How long was it/is it in full marine?
13 months and counting.
How large did it grow, and how fast?
Approx. 1" in 1 year.
Did you notice any stress, lack of eating, poor coloration, weight loss, etc?
No
Did you return it to brackish levels at any point?
No (will be doing hypo starting 1/9/09 - 2/27/09)
If it died, how long was it alive?
Still alive and well.

I think maybe I should add:

What size was it when you moved it into full marine? (since we're mainly looking for how this affects little guys put into full marine, instead of moving them only when they are larger)

Little was the size of a nickel and Middle was quarter size I think.

What size was it when you moved it into full marine?
--Pillow 2.5", Blanket 3"

Did the fish survive?
--Yes, both did fine.

How long was it/is it in full marine?
--Been at 1.017 for 5 months, 1.024 for 1 month

How large did it grow, and how fast?
--They have each grown a 1/2"

Did you notice any stress, lack of eating, poor coloration, weight loss, etc?
--No stress, coloration has improved (now bright green) eating like little pigs

Did you return it to brackish levels at any point?
--No

If it died, how long was it alive?
--Both still alive and well

Great responses everyone! What we are really looking for is folks who put their GSPS 1" & smaller into SW & if they survived many years in SW & whet were the long-term affects on the fish. Like did they grow to their normal 6" & live into their teens? I guess only time will tell...

Blimey... 1" or less!! I think I was only getting to grips with low brackish at that point LOL I wouldn't have dared to try going salty

LOL Exactly! Its not very often someone brave enough to try it comes along, so we figured we'd make it a sticky to hopefully catch the attention of people who have tried it.

I wish I could win the lotto.. I'd have a building just for various fish tanks that were holding experiments like this...

yeah, definitely, a lotto win would be needed though.
I'd have a room full of just Bonzo's

I see no reason why keeping one in full marine when young wouldn't work, and if I could, this is definitely something I would do. Not only to find out, but it would also save the hassle of trying to raise the sg as it gets older.

But why waste all that $$$ on $alt if you didn't need to?