The Puffer Forum

I have a GSP in a 10 gallon tank and it is still a baby it is a little less than an inch big and i am getting a 30g or bigger tank by September 5th. Please tell me what to do to help it. He also seems to be going up and down the side of the tank and along the side of the tank not swiming around in the middle It looks as if he is rubbing against the glass. PLEASE HELP!

Questions:
1.) How was the tank cycled and how long?
2.) What do you have in there for decor?
3.) What are you feeding?
4.) What are your water parameters? SG, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, pH?

You are really pushing your luck keeping him in a tank that small for that long. Puffers produce a huge bioload (waste) and need the extra tank size to dilute it and also so they don't get stunted. All fish produce hormones and if the hormones build up too much the fish will end up stunted. You may not see any harm now but as the fish goes through its life cycle you will, ie. shortened life span, organ damage, growth issues... Can you get him in a bigger tank sooner?

The tank was cycled with this quick cycle stuff from tetra called safestart. I just did it today about 30 minutes before i put the puffer in. I have this coral thing that has a couple holes big enough for him to fit in and it has two live plants. that are kind of small. Im starting to think that he is chasing his refelction in the glass lol. I am feeding him bloodworms. oh and i just got him today so... Also i am going to go get a test kit for the salt tommorow.

He's more than likely just settling in and a little bored, thy pace the glass when they get bored. Also, you need to get a hydrometer/refractometer to test the SG, and a test kit for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate to make sure the filter is cycled even though you used SafeStart. When you do get them post the results....

If you're absolutely sure you'll be getting him a larger tank by September, he should be fine in the 10g until then. I'd wait until your water parameters test out perfect (ammonia/nitrite 0, Nitrate <20), before adding any salt. Check out our GSP article in the Library here.

What can i do to make him a little less bored so he isnt pacing the tank all the time? And ok i will try to get a 45 gallon for $60 with all the accessories and cycle it before introducing the puffer next time. Also i will get the test things tommorow

More decor & time to settle in.

Sometimes theyre not bored, theyre trying to explore beyond the glass.

Lol yeah I kind of gave up on mine. I have so much decor in that tank you can barely see the background and he still spends 25% of his time glass surfing. He got the knight goby started on it too and now they have like a glass surfing ballet they do every now and then.

Welcome to the forum! And I notice nobody has mentioned this so I will...you are going to need to do a lot of water changes in that tank as he grows until you get the larger tank. One of the more experienced members could probably give you a better idea of how often you are going to need to do them. Like everyone else said though just keep an eye on your water parameters and get the larger tank set up as soon as you can and you'll be fine.

GreenTwin wrote:What can i do to make him a little less bored so he isnt pacing the tank all the time?

Buy him an Xbox? hehe

My fahaka rubs along the glass as well when I get home.Always thought he was just happy to see me

Minimum of 50%/week & until he's 2" & then he's got to upgrade.

my puffer still surfs the glass too lol, and got the other one to do it to now. its weird

My SAPs did that until I bought floating plants...and then it was tendril-exploration-extravaganza time.
The fatter, larger and more personable of my F8s also rubs his belly on the glass when I go up to the tank; it's more of a coy "hello, look how cute i am, also did i mention food?" thing.