The Puffer Forum

So i owned 2 spotted green puffers (basically i rescued them from walmart when they were on the brink of death and nursed them back to health for a few months). I read that they are actually brackish fish and i figured that was why they were on the brink of death. I tried to transfer them and I guess I did too quick because they both died : (

I really love these fish and I really want more! Someone help me! If they start out freshwater should they just stay that way? Should I just no longer feel bad for dying fish at walmart?

Thanks a bunch! This forum was really alot of help during the last few days of jay and silent bob's lives R.I.P

I think that if you plan on getting anymore you should be ready have them in Sw eventually. Otherwise Id just do other fish if you want to do FW.

It's always hard when you see poor fish suffering in LFS, but it's best to resist the sudden urge to rescue them and come home and research them. Even if you can put a deposit on the fish then come home and read up on their requirements, it's better than nothing. I'd avoid rescuing any fish unless I could come home and research them to make sure I can cater for their needs properly.

GSPs do start off in freshwater as Sammy has mentioned and you gradually increase their salinity so they become acclimatised to nigh on full marine salinity when they are older. If I were you, I'd have a good think about it and if it's too much work for you to maintain them then go for a freshwater puff instead. Or how about T. biocellatus Figure 8 puffs that require very low end brackish conditions? I have two that are gorgeous and live with bublebee gobies and American flagfish
I'm about to get a lurker puffer next as opposed to a Toby marine puffer as the maintenance and outlay will be considerably less and much easier than my marine tanks are to maintain.

Start by reading the GSP article in our Library. There are several others in there that might help.

I have seen the figure 8 puffers those are really cute thanks for all your help! i will keep everyone updated on what happens

Article on them too! Be sure to read the Fishless Cycling article too.

Both those articles are extremely useful. Just like said above, it's always better to do a deposit and research then to go into it blind. I had 2 successful freshwater tanks so i guess i could wing it to save their lives LOL but i doubt walmart would have let me do a deposit. And also if you do know what your doing, and you have the tank space, please try to save the puffers from walmart. it almost makes me tear up when i see those things

Thanks again

I have the exact opposite opinion about "saving" fish from Walmart. All you're doing is sending them the message that no matter how they mistreat their fish, they still are good sellers & then they just go buy more of them to mistreat.

Please read: http://www.ultimatebettas.com/index.php?showtopic=40563

Is it also wrong to reduce their death count by palming a couple panfish worms from the bait fridge and tossing them into the tank so they can actually eat food?

LOL, I sneak worms to the GSPs at my LFS all the time!

I always feed the GSP everytime at Walmart since they all cant be saved. JUst did it 3 days ago again.