The Puffer Forum

I think my GSP, Quiwi, Is dying ):

For thee past three days, all hes really done is sit in the corner. He hasn't been wanting to eat either.
I know I'm not really supposed to do this, because it could stress him out, but I had to make sure he would atleast move! So I got my stick that I move things around in the tank with so I dont have to empty a lot of the water if I dont need to. I didn't try to poke him, I just tried to get him to move. I russeled the rocks near him, and he got up and moved. He swam around a little bit. I was feeding them at the time as well (I have two) and the other one was eatting, and he just swam past the food and didn't care at all.

He hasn't eatten in atleast three days! I'm really scared!
Last night after dinner I came in my room to check on him and he was swimming! I was so excited!! but then not 5 minutes later he was in the corner of the tank again. This time his face was directly on the glass. Just sitting there. Usually he is hiding behind the rock and is perched up on it.
Its really freaking me out. I'm leaving on vacation tomorrow until Wednesday... my grandmother is gonna take care of them, and I dont want him to die. and I especially dont want him to die while shes taking care of them because she'd feel bad for forever!

Should I be concerned?

Can you answer the questions in red?

1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.

2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.

3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)

4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.

5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.

Its a 20 gal tank
with 2 GSP
I havent checked the water parameters.. Last time I did check, they were the ideal things for them.. I'll have to run to Petsmart to get the water checked since I dont have a test kit ):

I feed them little dried shrimps.. just a few of them. 2 times a day

I just changed a little over 1/2 the water the other day.

I have algee in the tank right now, so I am using algaefix from aqurium pharmaceuticals
and an ammonia neutralizer from aqueon.
I used one capfull od bio-magnet clarifier when I added the new water to the tank.

I havent made any changes that I can recall....

My aquarium has been set up since december. i cycled it.. i dont remember how d: but i followed the cycling article think on here.

When you run to PetsMart, pick up an API liquid master test kit. You really need one.

Algae-removing products can be very harmful. You should do a big water change ASAP.

You don't need biological additives if your tank is cycled, and they're useless anyway. The ammonia neutralizer shouldn't be needed, either.

Your GSP needs a more varied and nutritious diet. When you go to PetsMart, pick up some bloodworms, and ask for pest snails (quarantine these for a week before you use them). Go to the grocery store and get some cocktail shrimp in their shells.

Your tank is probably overstocked. How big are the puffers?

Are you using any salt?

Alright, so there's several obvious problems here and I'll try to lay them out for you as none are all that hard to fix

1. Get your own test kits. At the moment though, when you take your water to Petsmart make them give you the numbers they get. Don't ever take their word for fine please. When you're there please pick up your own test kits, API brand seems to be the best. You'll at least need kits for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.

2. 20gal is way too small for 2 GSPs. They need at least 30gal each and require brackish (high end to full marine) water. Are they in freshwater now? Are you able to properly house both? If not you should give away one or both to someone who can.

3. A diet of dried shrimp is not healthy for them. Please read this article on feeding: library/feeding/feeding-your-puffers/

4. What is your water change schedule? A little over half the other day doesn't tell us much. Can you please elaborate?

5. Some algae removers can be very harmful to your puffers and your beneficial bacteria. Please do a very large water change ASAP and do not put the Algaefix back in. Have you tried doing a lights out or treating with hydrogen peroxide? Do you have live plants that need the light? If the fish are in FW now then but adding marine salt and turning the water brackish the algae should be killed. There's also no need for you to have an ammonia neutralizer in the tank. Once your fish are healthy again you should remove the ammonia neutralizer. I don't know anything about the water clarifier but you might as well stop adding it until you hear from someone who knows. Your best bet is to remove anything extra from the tank while you sort out these problems.

So, if I were you my first step would be to do a very large water change ASAP. Add your dechlorinator but don't add anything else. If they're in BW then add the proper amount of salt too. Then I would head to your LFS and pick up those test kits and some marine salt if you don't have any yet. Might as well pick up a slew of suitable frozen food. Next I would find a larger tank. If you're going to keep both then go for at least 60gal. In most areas used tanks and equipment are significantly cheaper than what you can find in a pet store.

Hope that helps and please feel free to ask all the questions you need to We're here to help

I would also ask, how long have you had them both? Has there been any significant changes to the tank before your Quiwi started behaving differently?

my water is brackish.
the fish are both about 1 inch long

Just curious..do you vacuum when you change the water or do you just scoop out that water..

Please no chemicals..if you want the algae gone you have to clean it, or feed less often, or remove to much light (do a black out)..

The tanks is to small for two GSP's however you can get buy for a "few" weeks if you up your water change schedule...but beyond 2 or 3 weeks will not work..

What's the specific gravity?