New to GSP - Need advice and can't seem to find good info!

[ksandine]

Hi!

So I just converted my 55 gallon African Cichild tank to a GSP tank and I have many questions. I've been doing A LOT of research online but it seems everything I find is conflicting! Very frustrating! I had a phenomenal cichlid tank and I want to be successful at this tank as well. I have a 55 gallon tank and plan on keeping (or trying to keep) 2 GSP. Right now they are babies, very small, about 1 inch. I have the tank heavily decorated with plants and rock work to create hiding places, etc.

Questions are:

They are in freshwater right now. I've read that is fine for 1 inch but as they grow I need to adjust the water to brackish. Is this true? How long will it take them to reach their final length?

I've read I need to feed them snails. How often do they need to eat snails a week and how many per fish?

Are my GSP to little to eat snails right now? They seem to want to hunt something already.

In keeping snails, can I keep and maintain a stock of them without a separate tank? ie, a bucket? Could you explain the proper method for keeping the snails and also what kind of snails.

I've read that as they mature you only need to feed them a couple times a week, is this true?

When not feeding live food such as snails do you feed frozen bloodworm?

What is the best substrate? Right now I have crushed coral to keep my PH up but I've read some places sand is best and others it doesn't matter.

Also, are there cleaner shrimp that will help maintain the tank? I've read ghost shrimp can help but I've also read they'll just eat them and the shrimp just add to the waste load.

Thank you so much for any help and advice you can give!

[purplecandle]

You have got a lot of reading to do! Welcome!
Care articles-
library/puffers-in-focus/an-introductio ... d-puffers/

They are in freshwater right now. I've read that is fine for 1 inch but as they grow I need to adjust the water to brackish. Is this true? How long will it take them to reach their final length? They can go brackish or marine now with acclimation. Slowly going to brackish and marine is more to save your bacteria! Hard to say how long it will take until they are big...some grow really slow, some grow really fast!

I've read I need to feed them snails. How often do they need to eat snails a week and how many per fish? You can breed your own snails if you like. But if you can't, you can use other hard shelled foods. Snail breeding instructions- library/feeding/basic-snail-breeding/

Are my GSP to little to eat snails right now? They seem to want to hunt something already. They can eat snails the size of their eyes (Ramshorn or pond snails)

I've read that as they mature you only need to feed them a couple times a week, is this true? Depends on age, size, somewhat a personal decision. BUT Yes older bigger puffs are usually fed less.

When not feeding live food such as snails do you feed frozen bloodworm?
Raid your seafood market for cheap, much better alternatives
A feeding article- library/feeding/feeding-your-puffers/

What is the best substrate? Right now I have crushed coral to keep my PH up but I've read some places sand is best and others it doesn't matter. Personal decision, in my opinion..depends on your water chemistry or your taste.

Also, are there cleaner shrimp that will help maintain the tank? I've read ghost shrimp can help but I've also read they'll just eat them and the shrimp just add to the waste load. NO TANKMATES. Tankmates will be eaten, and they cannot withstand brackish to marine water..CLEAN YOUR OWN TANK!!!!!

[purplecandle]

By the way we love pictures of new puffers

[ksandine]

So other hard shelled food will serve the same purpose as the snails?

[jmiller]

Are my GSP to little to eat snails right now? They seem to want to hunt something already......They can eat snails the size of their eyes (Ramshorn or pond snails)

Or you can crush larger snails. Mine is eating one in the morning and one in the evening. The fish is less than 2" and the snails are a little smaller than a dime.

[jus85411]

So other hard shelled food will serve the same purpose as the snails?

yes they will. clams on shell, mussells on shell, crab legs, oysters any hard shelled food that they have to bite through or scrape their teeth on will work. yours may even keep his teeth in check himself by biting on live rock or chewing on pieces of crushed coral. mine does this but i also supplement with something hard shelled everytime i feed just to help the cause and it seems to be foods that he really enjoys. other stuff from the grocery store that you could feed that wont help with teeth though are scallops, RAW shrimp(make sure it says raw, they are usually grey in color). there are other choices you can go with i just cant really think of much more. anything you get fresh from the store i would freeze first before feeding it. just incase any type of bacteria or something is on the food. freezing it will kill the bacteria and when you go to feed let it thaw for a few hours before hand. you should also look into getting a vitamin like Selcon Gel for when they are in marine(if you go all the way up to that). not sure what the recommended FW vitamin to soak the food in is off the top of my head. take good care of your puffs and it will be rewarding. but be fully aware that with time and sexual maturity for these puffs, the more aggressive they might become. i had two GSP together, got one like two weeks after the other and a few months later the newer one started chasing(never biting or nipping) so i rehomed him so i didnt stress my other one out. on the drop of a hat either puff could decide he wants to be alone and wipe other fish out. its all dependent on your puffer though, its not a standard for the species, just the majority of the time what happens

[LilGreenPuffer]

Vita-Chem makes FW vitamins. That's what I use.

[ksandine]

Thanks for all the useful info!

One other question!

How much should I feed these guys? They refuse to eat anything flaked so far! They love worms, snails and ghost shrimp (if they can catch them) and I think they've been ok with the frozen brine shrimp. So if I'm not feeding any flake how often and how much of the other foods should I feed? Say I toss a prawn in, how long does that keep one fish full? I was told they like/need greens too but haven't been successful with that yet either, besides filling the ghost shrimp with food first. Ideas on that?

[purplecandle]

If they are young and small you can feed once a day for 6 days out of the week.

You feed them until their bellies are nice and rounded. I would not just toss in whole foods for little guys...to save money cut up larger items such as shrimp into smaller pieces..

Sometimes GSPs will eat peas as well..