The Puffer Forum

My puffer is very docile, and seems to not eat things that it's suppose to such as live clams, crayfish, and fiddler crabs. I think if he were aggressive, then he might. My questions is that, if i get another GSP into my tank, would he be more aggressive and trigger something instinctual( his aggressiveness)

He'd probably get beat up. I had to re-home Balki's mean bully gsp roomie. I got him a molly for a little buddy.
However, he may still decide to bite him one day.

Two GSP's can get along fine for years, then one wakes up grumpy and kills the other one. I don't recommend keeping multiple GSP's together.

How big is the tank?

I think in a large enough tank there's probably no reason you couldn't keep 2, but generally there's no good reason to have more than one in the same tank.

linbeg a 20 gallon isn't big enought for two, your already looking to upgrade down the line with this guy.

The sooner the better on the upgrade in size.

trekenk wrote:linbeg a 20 gallon isn't big enought for two, your already looking to upgrade down the line with this guy.

i know.but as of now, he doesn't seem to be growing. (about an inch) I will though, once he doubles in size.

a bad way to stunt a fish is by saying "i will upgrade as necessary". the fish may be small but the amount of waste and horomones it puts out isnt small and will build up in a small tank fast. causing it to be stunted. i would upgrade asap so then you can think about getting him a "buddy". adding any other fish into that tank is just adding to the waste being built up and will likely cause poor water over a shorter time and can risk other mishaps with water quality. the only way the upgrade as necessary theory seems to work out is if you have a larger puffer and already placing it in a large tank and upgrading as it grows to the lifetime tank. a lot of people will get fahakas at up to 3 inches and put them in their lifetime home which is a 120 gallon for most folks. imagine how silly that looks, a 3 inch puffer in a 4ft x 2ft x 2ft tank but they are doing it the correct way and their fish will flourish given water quality is pristine

another reason you should upgrade asap is that the younger you introduce the fish to tankmates the more likely it will take well to them. as puffers reach sexual maturity they become more aggressive and might not take well to new additions. i saw this in my puffer before he died, he was always fine with tankmates but when he was like 5 inches i added a six line wrasse and he wanted to attack it badly. everything that got in his way he wanted to find a way to get around to eat it. the next day he settled a little bit cause the six line was hiding very well but he still kept an eye out and wanted him. then the third day i came home from work and the six line was out and about swimming and so was the GSP. i was shocked but he was fine with him after that for whatever reason. six line has always been one of my favorite fish

jus85411, first of all i know what you mean, but i already have 2 filters running plus 30lbs base rocks that i believe already turned into live rock since it's been there for 6 months. Also, i WANT my puffer to be aggressive. I believe he's too docile, that he doesn't do instinctual things like naturally attack food predators like: fiddler crabs, crayfish, etc.

I say get on craigslist, and buy a 55G tank for cheap. Switch over all decor, filters, substrate etc...and go get the 2nd GSP.

a 55 would kind of push it for 2 GSP. most people would recomment a single GSP in a 55 with smaller fast moving fish as cleanup. 30 gallons is bare minimum. how long have you tried to offer these foods? my GSP immediately went after a crab i put in, i believe it was his instincts cause it would have been the first time in my posession he had seen one. it could just be your puffer, they vary greatly in personality. you may just have a passive one, which you might be grateful for later down the line. if hes too aggressive as a young puff then it could only get worse as he matures, but if hes docile from the start then he may be ok for tankmates once he matures and gets a little more aggressive

a 55 is pushing it, but it still works...it's only 5 gallons less swimming room and you could always add a sump later on to increase water volume.

55g wasn't enough swimming room for my 2 GSPs.