The Puffer Forum

I know you have probably heard this 184,349.822 times but, here it goes. I have kept GSP's for a while now pretty successfully in brackish water. The water they are in is currently at 1.015. I set up a 50 gallon marine tank ( 1.023) for one to move into shortly and I planned on doing the slow raise of the salinity. Well my wife and daughter came home today with two more GSP's that my daughter just could not live without. After a call to the lfs, and a stern talk with the wife, I found out that these little guys were kept in 1.015 water also and they seem to be doing great in their new home. This is the thing though. I now have 3 (1 is about 2 inches, the other two are about 1.5 inch) GPS's in one tank and there has already been some headbutting going on. This is were the infamous question is. Do you all think that it would be a death sentence to introduce two of them to the marine tank right away. I realize that it would be a bit of a shock but, I am pretty sure it will be less stress than fighting for their lives for the next month as I raise the salinity slowly. I have never attempted this so I thought someone here may have some insight on this. Thanks in advance for the help!

From my experience (and you might want to wait for someone who knows more than me) it is most certainly possible, as long as the tank is cycled. Its the bacteria that take so long to accliimate to changes in salinity. The fish are more than capable of handling it. Just drip acclimate the one you choose to move over a period of a few hours and keep an eye on him. Make sure he isn't stressing and you should be good. Good luck with the new little ones!

Edit:

Welcome to the Forum! Didn't realize this was your first post.

I have been around for a while soaking up all the info I can. I had just realized when I went to post that I had never signed up. Guess I ought to start giving some input rather than just soaking it all up huh?

I agree--just drip-acclimate the puffer & keep an eye on the parameters, as you are adding extra bioload to the tank.

Ummm - yes, you can drip-acclimate the puffers to full marine in a number of hours (maybe 8-12?).

The real question is what are you planning on doing with 5 GSPs? You are looking at over 200 gallons without sumps/refugia etc. Are you prepared for all that? I would be in shock. Likely I would rehome the new two or just return them. Or perhps the spouse and daughter...

RTR wrote:Ummm - yes, you can drip-acclimate the puffers to full marine in a number of hours (maybe 8-12?).

The real question is what are you planning on doing with 5 GSPs? You are looking at over 200 gallons without sumps/refugia etc. Are you prepared for all that? I would be in shock. Likely I would rehome the new two or just return them. Or perhps the spouse and daughter...

See! He's not a grumpy old man - he has a sense of humour!!

RTR wrote:Ummm - yes, you can drip-acclimate the puffers to full marine in a number of hours (maybe 8-12?).

The real question is what are you planning on doing with 5 GSPs? You are looking at over 200 gallons without sumps/refugia etc. Are you prepared for all that? I would be in shock. Likely I would rehome the new two or just return them. Or perhps the spouse and daughter...

Sorry if I worded something wrong in my post, but I currently only have three. I just had one in a 30 gallon prior to the two brought home today. I know that they are normally kept alone but, I figured with the one in the 30 gallon and two in the 50 they should be ok for a bit. They are the only fish in the tanks. There is a few random ghost shrimp that were to quick for them other than that they are alone in the tanks. I hate to send them back to the LFS so hopefully I can keep the little guys happy till I can find a home for one of them. I'll let you guys know how this goes in the next few days.

Thanks for the input. It is truly appreciated.

I would make a comment on the joke but I am sure she would look over my shoulder right at that moment... My luck.

Also the 30 gallon has a hob filter that has three stage filtration, a power head, and some rock that I am trying to build. The 50 gallon has a hob filter for a 75 gallon that is also made for SW with the three stage filter along with two power heads. It has been cycled for about two months now with the water pretty balanced and only some ghost shrimp living in it. Looking for a nice chunk of LR for it now. Everyone around me wants 3.50 to 4.00 a pound though. Silly thing is I am only about 15 miles from the ocean...

His sense of humor is one of the things I've always loved about him!

Little update.

Everything seems good so far. I have the two new GSP's (about 1.5 inches long) in my 52 gallon marine tank now with three yellow tailed damsels that are about the same size. Only been a couple days but, all is well so far. Keeping a close eye on the situation though and I know that after a bit there will need to be something done. Hopefully I will have a little while to find a suitable home since they are so small. There is plenty of LR for them to claim as their own. We shall see.