The Puffer Forum

I've been keeping freshwater fish for about 5 years. Right now I have two FW tanks, and was finishing cycling a 3rd 10 gallon for tetras, when I ran into my GSP in horrible conditions at walmart. He's in a cycled healthy tank, I've tested water levels and everything fine, I'll list them at the bottom. I'm wondering how long until I have to upgrade him to a 30 gallon? He's about 1.5 inches now, and seems happy, but I want him to grow to his full potential without stunting him. Can he stay here until ~3 inches? Or am I already doing him harm?

Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: .25 ppm (unexpected spike, treating with Prime)
Nitrate: 10 ppm
pH: 8.0
temp: 80F
SG: 1.004 (I'll slowly build him up as he grows)

You are showing nitrite which is bad, step up the water changes to keep him healthy. At that size you are at risk of stunting especially as water is less than perfect for these guys. I would seek an upgrade to final tank size ASAP. It would also help dilute the waste from him too. Your best bet is to buy a larger tank and set it up at marine salinity with cured live rock and drop acclimate him. Less stress long term as that is where you are heading long term.

I thought salinity that high would be too much for him so early on. He's still very young with lots of room to move around.

And the nitrite was unexpected, I might have shaved a couple days off my cycle, but i assumed my water conditions were better than theirs... He seems healthy though, his stomach color has returned to white, his pattern has brightened, swimming and eating actively. Is this 10 gallon really not a suitable home for, say, 6 more months?

Plus 1 to what bertie said.

You've got a few weeks in the 10 gallon and that would be the max (a period of time equal to a normal quarantine period).

At 3 inches his bio load would be far to great for a 10 gallon.

Go ahead and get at least a 30gallon and start cycling. Also do plenty of water changes on the ten gallon.

As far as marine conditions go, he can go ahead and go into a full marine tank after a couple hours of acclamation.


Congratulations on your new puffer pal!

If you have the room, he'd perfer an eventual 55g.