The Puffer Forum

I added 3 yellow tail damsel fish, and all is well. My GSP showed curiosity, but no aggression. Now, he's just more interested in me, hoping I'll feed him

I'm so glad this has worked so far!

Gwen

PufferMe! wrote:I added 3 yellow tail damsel fish, and all is well. My GSP showed curiosity, but no aggression. Now, he's just more interested in me, hoping I'll feed him

I'm so glad this has worked so far!

Gwen

LOL, I hope he doesn't come to the assumption that you just put in 3 pretty little fish for him to eat.

The only thing I put in my tank is food and I know the first thing my puffers would say if I put in new tankmates would be "Thanks mom, those look tastey!"

Congradulations on making it work, get some pics

Here's a couple shots.

We added some new fish to our marine and the GSP was attacking the bags before we had even released the fish. It wasn't inquestive probing but definate attacks. He ended up in the back-up marine tank.

We were adding a domino damsel, blue/green chromids, a Valentine puffer and a blue spotted Toby. GSP didn't bother either puffer but was just trying to grab the other bagged fish.

Hope this works out for you, keep a close eye for aggression

I'll absolutely keep an eye out. I've been warned the damsels are the ones who are so aggressive. Many people don't like them apparently. My GSP did not attack the bag, but did go up to one of the damsels and did bite it, once they were released. The damsel didn't back down/swim away or anything,and the nip did no damage. After that the GSP completely showed no interest. It was like he didn't think they were edible. He did the same thing when I put in a few mushroom corals. He bit one, didn't tear off any of it, and moved on. I guess it didn't taste yummy. Thank God, because I love the mushrooms! The get so big during the day when the lights are on,and so tiny at night. Very cool.

Gwen

Really nice color combo between the 2 species. How big is the tank? How much LR? Plenty of tighter spaces the damsels can get into where the puffer can't? I'd also try a school of 5 of them, if the tank's big enough.

I would not trust the damsels myself - they can be nasty nippers.

There is definately a mix of reviews out there about these fish. I have enough room for 5, but may not add more. The tank is 70 gallons, maybe 75. I bought it used on CL. The person told me it was 75 gallons. My first, quick measurements got me a sum of 68 gallons, on aqua advisor. I re-did my measurements and got a gallon amount of 74.8 gallons. I have my protein skimmer on now, and I'm getting a gross light brown liquid in the cup, so I guess there is stuff to pull out, despite my continued readings of 0 nitrates! I have about 20 lbs of LR and the rest is dead rock. And yes, plenty of great spots to hide and get away from the puffer if they wanted to. They are all out together now.

I would love more fish, and will likely someday add something else. Open to suggestions

Regarding the skimmer, you really know it is working hard when the water in the cup turns ink black like mine does! I empty and clean it weekly.

What are the measurements of the tank?

@ Bertie - 48"L x 20"H x 18"W

Yes 74 gallons gross. Please remember this is not the actual volume of water contained in the tank, that will be much less.

Oh, no. Bad news. Just looked for the 3rd damsel, who seemed from the beginning to hang more by himself than with the other two, and I found him half eaten! Ugh, pretty sad. I did see my GSP puffer nip and him, and his belly is big, so he was eating him. He's out of the tank, and dead It was unbelieveable he was still alive with half is upper body eaten. I quickly chopped his head off.

Strangely, he's not bothering the others. I'm wondering if this guy was just a bit weaker, and that's why he got clipped, or if I can expect more deaths?

So sad

Gwen