The Puffer Forum

hey guys, I have three gsps in a 55 gal. along with 1 pleco.. sg around 1.006, 0 ammonia and Im not sure on the nitrites and nitrates, cant test them till tomarrow but all three have always had there own territories... two stay near the bottom one on each side and one near the top.. but today I noticed very tiny white bumps that look like tiny bubbles on the puff that stays near the top and he keeps rubbing his belly on the decor.. All are eating fine and acting the same other then the rubbing by the sick one.. Anyone know whats wrong and or how to treat?? any ideas on how to treat without a sick tank would be best if possible because I no longer have a cycled sick tank, ( getting ready to move) PLEASE HELP! he is by far my favorate of all my fish!!

I dont know if this is relivant or not but he eats more then the rest and never stops begging even after eating.. The other two go back to swimming around but he stays right at the front begging

doesnt show much but...

Might be ich, especially if he's scratching like that.

Sounds alot like ich to me too, and I'd be treating the tank quickly before they all have it, you could possibly lose them if you wait too long.

I hope you get it sorted. I love my GSP's alot, they make me smile everyday.

Try doing a water change and upping the SG a bit (no more than 0.002).

Plecos are freshwater?

You need to get the nitrates and nitrites tested. Also what does your ph look like? Are you planning on upgrading in the future for them? They need about 30 gallons each to help dilute waste. As far as treatment you need to treat alone in a hospital tank or bucket. If you treat the main system you can put the whole tank at risk.
Remove the pleco because they are strictly freshwater and work on getting that salinity up to at least 1.012+.
Were they quarantined before you placed them in the main tank?

Iliveinazoo wrote:Try doing a water change and upping the SG a bit (no more than 0.002).

Plecos are freshwater?

Plecos are FW. Salinity is 1.006.

thank everyone!! they have all been together for months.. and the pleco seems happy, i dont understand it but since i started raising the sg he (pleco) got alot bigger an d doesnt seem bothered by it. I had to work both of my jobs the last few days so I didnt make it to the store to test my water.. but I will first thing tomarrow.. I raised the sg to 1.008 and he appears to be the same.. hes such a happy little guy, I hope I can get him healthy again

one more thing.. all of them get darker bellies when the lights are off but within a few minutes of the lights being on they go back to almost all white?? Is this normal??

Yeah, pretty much. GSPs are spazzy. They're probably just a little startled by the change. Some of them also get dark bellies when they eat, hunt, or sleep.