The Puffer Forum

What does it mean when your GSP is swimming up and down the side of the tank?

Your puffer is bored and needs more decor and stuff to explore. Sometimes it's also because it's the only place of current in your tank.

or your water parameters are off

xrayjeeper83 wrote:or your water parameters are off

I thought of that after I posted my response so +1!

Do you have any pictures of your full tank? How long have you had it in that tank and how large is it?

PH - 8.4
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - .5


It is a 30 gallon with GSP and 3 cory cat fish and shrimp.It is not that good of picture put it shows it.

Tank looks good, and your numbers are good

But GSPs need to be moving up to SW, not living in FW. Cory cats are FW, always.

I am going start to make it SW in the next couple days i just got him a couple days ago.

muffinman3560 wrote:I am going start to make it SW in the next couple days i just got him a couple days ago.

Your going to need to make it brackish first. Also the corys will have to be going, they don't like salt in ANY measurable amounts. Make sure to get a hydrometer ( or better, a refractometer that you know is calibrated ) and also don't get "aquarium salt" because every company puts different junk in... I use Instant Ocean salt personally. Make sure to never add salt to the tank, use a basin to mix it up and give it at least an hour to stabilise in there, I strongly reccomend the use of an airstone in there while you wait, it will speed up the process of chemical equilibrium. One more note, and this is important, DON't increase the SG by more than .002 a week as this will make your tank cycle. That being said, sorry to get off topic, but I agree with the consensus of the previous posters on this pacing behaviour. I wonder if you use a powerhead in the tank? What type of filter? One thing I have had to do for anything larger than my Dwarf Puffers is to move the decor around at water change time. It helps them feel "wild" to explore new areas. One more caveat, should you take him/her out when you redecorate, don't use a net. An alarmed puffer+air is not good. I scoop my saddled toby into a plastic cup and transfer her in that manner. Hope to have been a help, Cheers!

I do not have a powerhead. I am using a emperor 400 and my tank is 30 gallon tank. I have been reading about making it brackish so i know how to do it and know to use Instant Ocean salt.

Very good! When you go full marine, as your puffer matures, I advise the use of a refugium/sump, it definitley helps buffer against their slovenly eating habits. Best of luck!