The Puffer Forum

Welcome to the forum! You're in the right place for help.

Okay, I think we need to start from square one here. First, your fish don't have enough space. They're probably very stressed out, and stress prevents their recovery. GSPs require a bare minimum of 30g each. Also, they are brackish fish. They require some salt in the water. I see that you have added aquarium salt. Unfortunately, this doesn't work. It is actually a medicinal salt. You will need to turn the tank brackish with marine salt. If you do this, it will actually help cure the ich. Here's an article and a species profile that you will need to read.
library/puffers-in-focus/an-introductio ... d-puffers/
ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Brackish/T_Nigroviridis/

On to the ich. Changes in salinity will cure ich. However, it takes a month. This is the only way that you should ever treat ich in puffers. They are extremely sensitive to medication. The salt you are using right now is helping, but it must be coupled with water changes and thorough gravel-vaccuuming every other day for the entire month. Here's an article on treating ich.
library/hospital/fwich/

Finally, your tank is still cycling. This is extremely dangerous, and it is very stressful for the fish. This also prevents their healing. Go and do an 80% water change right now, and then read these articles. They'll help you understand what I'm talking about.
library/water-filtration/emergencycycle/
library/water-filtration/fishless-cycling/

Later on, we'll need to talk about proper diet.

Here's a plan of action for you:
-Go out and purchase a bigger tank. It should be at least, say, 20g for now. You'll eventually need a minimum of 60g, but if you can't afford it now, you can go smaller for the time being.
-Also, purchase a bottle of Tetra SafeStart. This will instantly perform the cycling process.
-Finally, purchase a test kit. You need to test for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. The API Freshwater Master kit is great. Don't get the kind that is on paper strips - get bottles and test tubes.
-Once you've got the tank and cycling dealt with, we can move on to the ich treatment. You must begin raising the salinity of the water, very slowly. This salt will have the same effect as the aquarium salt mentioned in the ich treatment article. When you are ready to begin this, someone else will be able to explain it better than I. For the salinity part of our plan, you'll need a hydrometer or a refractometer, to measure the salinity, and marine salt, like you would use for salt water, like Instant Ocean.

Someone else may have a better plan than me, so wait for one of the experts to confirm this for you!

I know that this is a lot to drop on you. Believe me. I've been there. Do ALL of the reading I've provided you with.

Not trying to start the process, But you do know they need 30 gallons each full grown, Right?

I dont want people climbing on your back about it, Just want to make sure you know.

As for the ich, Im not comfortable with giving and opinion. Good luck though.

I told her about the 30g thing.

Great advise, LGP! How'd you kow she was a her?

She colored her text. Guys don't do that.

Wow, you're good! Sure you're not a psych major?

I'm psychic.

LilGreenPuffer wrote:I'm psychic.

Let me fix that for ya' : I'm Psychotic."

That, too.

Okay, whoops, we're hijacking the topic... Did I seriously have to tell off the queen admin and a mod for getting off-topic?

Yeah, I know but the OP disappeared...

Hopefully she'll be back later today.

Hopefully.

Also sorry bout that LGP, Didnt check for other posts after I posted it. Wasnt anything there before.

Thanks to everyone for the great advice I did a water change and theyre already doing better. Im taking care of everything else tomorrow when i get make a trip to the pet store.

CheesePuff wrote:Thanks to everyone for the great advice I did a water change and theyre already doing better. Im taking care of everything else tomorrow when i get make a trip to the pet store.

Cheers. Glad to hear it.