The Puffer Forum

1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.

ph 7.4
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrates 20-40
Salinity 1.000
temp 84

2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.

10 gallon, 1 gsp (1"), Looking to get a 46 gallon this weekend

3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)

Frozen bloodworms and snails, tried frozen plankton but he didn't like them.
Only had for about a week and a half but did a 50% water change prior to introduction to tank and than another about 5 days ago and another yesterday.

4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.

The only change is that I started using RO water 50/50 with my tap water due to my tap water testing high for nitrates.

5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.

The aquarium has been set up for about 6 weeks, I did a full cycle with fish.

I'm new to the puffer forum and puffer fish in general. I've been following this website since I setup my tank and find it to be a great source of information but this evening my GSP is not feeling so well. I've noticed that when I turn his light on in the am he is usually sleeping and will usually wake and greet me. He's been doing great since I got him including eating well and active. This morning he was sleeping like usual but didn't wake to come greet me. When I came home from work this evening he was sleeping again. He woke up for a short time when I opened his lid to test collect some water for testing. Than he went back to sleep. I noticed when he sleeps he seems to breath faster. Is this normal when they're sleeping? He also is very dark color when he sleeps but brightens up when awake. Anyhow I'm looking for some advice as to what could be going on. Thanks in advance!

We really appreciate all the time you took to answer all those questions!
It seems that you have done everything right. Would it be possible to get a pic of him & also a pic of your entire tank?

Here's some pics. I'm working on getting the pic of the tank to you.

Thanks!

Here's the pic of the tank.

I'm not sure my pics came through?!

Also I just found a box elder bug in the tank. Must have crawled in there somehow. Could he have ingested that?

They usually darken when sleeping. (sleep coloration to hide themselves from predators at night) Also if you suddenly turn the lights on they will act clumsy due to their sensitive eyes.
Also note that Puffers do have distinct personalities and can often sulk at the slightest of changes.

Unfortunately my little gsp passed away while I was at work today. I wish I could figure out what went wrong.

Ugh this is the second report we had today of a loss. So sad.

So sorry to hear that...
Did you perchance buy this fish from Walmart?

Dont give up!

That sucks, like stated before you did what was right for the fish, and yes don't give up. It is always a risk putting a wild caught fish in a glass box, it will likely turn out very differently next time

Awww sorry to here this

This is what sucks about being into puffers, sometimes they just don't make it...no matter what you do. It has happened to just about everyone here.

Thanks for the kind words. I'm gonna try again but it is very discouraging. Nope he wasn't from Walmart.

So sorry to hear of your loss. Hopefully the next one will thrive!