The Puffer Forum

Here's the basics:

Tank: 29g, PFS substrate, BW plants, DW/rocks/shells.
Filter: Fluval 305 w/spraybar (foam, poly-fil to pre-filter for Eheim Substrat Pro biomedia)
Lighting: 55w 10kK/Actinic CPF
Heat: Aqueon Pro 200w set at 80 degrees
Water: Ammo 0ppm, no2 0ppm, no3 5-10ppm, pH 7.8, GH 12, SG 1.003+ (in the process of raising it to 1.005 over the next 3 weeks)
Tank Mates: 2xGSP, 6xBumblebee Gobies, Assorted shrimp (AES & Ghost), Pond snails population unknown (there were about 150, now empty shells appear randomly)
Food: Frozen Brine shrimp, bloodworms, mixed cubes. Fresh frozen shrimp (shells & tails attached) on occasion. Collecting pond snails from other tanks and a LFS

First off, I know the tank is a bit small for 2 puffers but they're very young and I'll be doing a tank switch which will get them into a 37g tall in the next few months. They seems pretty happy with their new home overall and since I'm filtering for 75g I think everything is fine. The Boys as we call them (Jake & Elwood), have plenty of places to explore and hidey-holes to relax in so they leave the BBG's alone and near as I can tell all the shrimp are still alive (go figure). I cycled the tank fishless (FW) and planted it heavy with BW adaptable plants, some of which had pond snails and I let them proliferate during the month long+ cycle as I converted it to BW (1.003), but within 24hrs not even a baby snail could be found . The GSP were kept in that SG at my LFS and the drip acclimation went as planned.

Not sure what else to add, except that after I started giving them cut up bits of fresh shrimp they don't seem to interested in the bloodworms (even eat around it in the mixed cubes). I'm sure they can be picky eaters (too cute not too), but wondering if just feeding bloodworms for a few days wouldn't cure them of it.

Thanks for reading and if you have any info/suggestions to share, I'd be glad to hear them.

Here's a pic of the tank

I would strongly suggest not putting a gsp in those 37 gallon tall tanks. It's an odd shape that seems to promote pacing the glass, and it's extra bad if there is a mirror back. And for 2 puffers, I'd personally put them in a 75 g since it is suggested 30 g per puffer.

Nice set up but don't expect any of those plants to live in the SG required for GSPs.

sevenyearnight wrote:I would strongly suggest not putting a gsp in those 37 gallon tall tanks. It's an odd shape that seems to promote pacing the glass, and it's extra bad if there is a mirror back. And for 2 puffers, I'd personally put them in a 75 g since it is suggested 30 g per puffer.

My goldies love the shape of the 37g and like puffers, they're top to bottom dwellers.

So is the 30g per because of waste or territory?

Pufferpunk wrote:Nice set up but don't expect any of those plants to live in the SG required for GSPs.

Thanks!

Yep, once I have to jump above 1.010, they'll be gone lol. But for right now, the banana plant and Java ferns are lovin' the salty water.

Your set-up is lovely, by the way! I know that filtration is a big concern with puffers, but in addition to filtration concerns, I would be very concerned about territory and territoriality between the two puffers. I notice that even though my GSPs are very small, they really "take up" the entire tank--they swim quickly, and cover a lot of ground. They weave in and around the branches and plants I have in there, and are much much faster than I would ever have thought (or known, had they not had the room to swim and gather up their speed). They are constantly exploring and really "use" the entire tank. I don't often notice "bored" behavior that can be indicated by glass-surfing. (I have them in a 75 gallon, they are about 1.5-2 inches now, depending where you measure them.) I would strongly recommend that you try to get a larger tank for them, and one that has a long as opposed to tall shape. This is just my experience, but I wanted to share.