The Puffer Forum

i just recently bought a new gsp
he's in a thirty gallon
0 nitrite <10 nitrate 0 ammonia
the fish store had had him for a while. but ever since i got him he seems to be losing weight which i find odd because he eats like a champion. he's on frozen blood worms and brine shrimp along with snails of course. my last gsp was getting thinner. i originally suspected internal parasites. then suddenly he had what seemed like trapped air. then he started acting dead. and i did everything i could but the little guy didnt make it. i had my water tested, it good. any ideas why the new one is losing weight?i dont want him to end up like the last one:o

poopybarkflounder wrote:i just recently bought a new gsp
he's in a thirty gallon
0 nitrite <10 nitrate 0 ammonia
the fish store had had him for a while. but ever since i got him he seems to be losing weight which i find odd because he eats like a champion. he's on frozen blood worms and brine shrimp along with snails of course. my last gsp was getting thinner. i originally suspected internal parasites. then suddenly he had what seemed like trapped air. then he started acting dead. and i did everything i could but the little guy didnt make it. i had my water tested, it good. any ideas why the new one is losing weight?i dont want him to end up like the last one:o

Do you have you own water test kit? It is VERY important if you are having any problems.

Also try some fresh seafood from the store; mussels, shrimp, crab, etc.

How big is he and what is your SG? As GSP's get bigger they need a heavier diet but less often, trying frozen thawed seafood is a good idea. After you feed him how long does he hold his round shape?

okay thanks. and yeah i have my water test kit.
and is it possible the snails im feeding him could be causing problems?

Frozen brine shrimp are a great appetite stimulant but all but worthless as a staple food. Frozen bloodworms are decent food, but not sufficient for a hefty fish such as a GSP. Unless the majority of its diet is well-nourished snails, the fish is not getting enough or the right things to eat.

Basically a big ditto to Dadof4's comments..

trying frozen food is a good idea.

probably a dumb question but i just want to make sure. for frozen meatier foods such as shrimp and prawn, do i cook it first? or is raw good?

Raw & soaked in fish vitamins.

Raw = more nutrition..

Besides..puffers hate the lemon butter sauces we put on seafood

haha okay, ill say the buttersauce for myself(;
any specific brand of vitamins?

I like Zoe or Vita-Chem.

okay thanks(:
should he gain weight quickly? or will it be a slow gain? i just dont want to bee really paranoid if he looks the same for a while.

From my experience it takes a month for an emaciated (really skinny) puffer to get to a decent weight...so somewhere in that time frame..

okay thank you(:
ill keep my eye on him to make sure he does lose any more weight.