The Puffer Forum

i have one 4 in. gsp in a 29 gallon full saltwater tank

just the other day i got rid of the other 4 that were stunted and over stocking the tank. HE WONT STOP GLASS SURFING
iv added some cheato algae and rearranged the rocks, added a powerhead fed smaller portions and even put some hermit crabs in there for him to hunt. before i got rid of the other puffs he would just blub around on the upper corner of the tank closest to me. the only time he doesnt surf is when i feed him or stick my face to the glass. his belly is mostly white but does change to a black with yellow patches a few times a day. all water perams are pristine but my phosphates are high.
i really love him and feel so terrible he has to do this especially if he is still stressed.

Give him time to settle in. How heavily decorated is the tank?

Pufferpunk wrote:Give him time to settle in. How heavily decorated is the tank?

iv filled it up with about 35 lbs live rock which go about mid way up the tank and spread through out the center of the tank to the edges. the cheato is in one big patch in the corner. hes hopefully getting an upgrade to a 55 in may. does he need broken lines of sight if hes the only one in there?

Are there holes & tunnels for him to swim through?

Pufferpunk wrote:Are there holes & tunnels for him to swim through?

there are two or so tunnels alot of nooks and crannies and a big cave/dome for him to hide in and rest. ill try moving the rocks again tomorrow to see if it helps break things up. its live rock so i hope it can take the beating of all these moves.

i was changing this issue with my one 2 inch gsp. got some tall fake plants and redid some of the decor placement to make it more to explore. he is loving it now. Surfing is done to a min and its more of a swimming around/into plants. my figure 8 is still surfing but i think he is just a super active fish. i have never seen him sleep.

Always try interesting decor to minimise glass surfing. You want to get the phos down tho, what are exact water params?

bertie 83 wrote:Always try interesting decor to minimise glass surfing. You want to get the phos down tho, what are exact water params?

0 ammo, 0 nitrate/trite, ph of 7.8, phos 10 (the darkest on the api card)

That is an unusual set of water parameters. What is your test kit? Any clue as to why? What water is used to make SW? Have you tested it?

IMHO, the tank is too small. Insufficient swimming space unless your LR is super dense, and I am still doubtful.

RTR wrote:That is an unusual set of water parameters. What is your test kit? Any clue as to why? What water is used to make SW? Have you tested it?

IMHO, the tank is too small. Insufficient swimming space unless your LR is super dense, and I am still doubtful.

api test kit. it may be that the tank was over stocked with 4 other puffs. my filter also crashed and i had a 20 gallon sponge filter in place for a few months but i think phos. has always been up cuz my coraline algae has died off since put in the tank. now its just one puffer, and im upgrading to a 55 in may. so little puffer will just have to sit there a few more months til i can get him changed.
water used is tap but tested and there are no phosphates in it.