The Puffer Forum

Hello.

I've had my beloved GSP for 5+ years. He (or she?) has not grown much, but I don't really care about that, all I want is his happiness. He's lived in a 10 gal. brackish tank all his live by himself. I've read many times about the 30 gal space for GSPs, but I think he will survive there fine... He's on a regular diet of frozen bloodworms, algae pellets (advertised for cichlids), the random snail, random fruit slice and random dried shrimp...

Anyways, I recently noticed a grey spot on top of his head (if this works correctly, there will be 2 pictures, one from 3 years ago, one from today). If you see the pic from 3 years ago, it seems like he had the spot there all along, but it has grown exponentially when compared with today's pic.

I just want some opinions as to what this could be and if there is any treatment I should try for it.

Thanks

Would this post benefit from better pictures? I could try, but the size limit on posts takes a toll on the pictures... My avatar picture might show the spot better now that I look at it.

Any suggestions or comments are greatly appreciated. He eats normal and does not show any signs of altered behavior, but I get worried every time I see him, as the spot is more visible now.

Thanks.

E

It's probably something that came from being in a very small space and brackish water... You need to move him to a bigger tank and start upping the salinity, once you're at full marine, you need lots of live rock to help with filtration and give him something to do. They love searching live rock for "snacks"

He might be stunted though, so I'm not sure of what size tank you need... I'll let other people post... I'm trying to be as nice as possible.

Thank you hadla for your reply.It'll be next to impossible to move him to a bigger tank; NYC, I live in a 10 gal apartment, lol.

He's had some cool decor that I change every 3 months or so, but I do get the full marine upgrade advise. I will look into it further.

I've read many times about the 30 gal space for GSPs, but I think he will survive there fine...

He's not "fine" anymore. :/

edom31 wrote:Thank you hadla for your reply.It'll be next to impossible to move him to a bigger tank; NYC, I live in a 10 gal apartment, lol.

He's had some cool decor that I change every 3 months or so, but I do get the full marine upgrade advise. I will look into it further.

Wow that sucks... You can only have 10g total? Or is it the biggest tank you can have?

Most landlords don't know the difference between 10 or 30g. Just tell him your 30g IS a 10g!

^This I have seen someone with a 55g that they were not "supposed" to have.

Lol +1 to that!

Thank you all for your replies and advice. It has been a while, I have not replied as not much has changed and I had nothing to report.

I'm happy to say that Bruno is well and about... Nothing has changed since January (my last post). Sadly still has that weird looking grey thing on top of him/her (it has not grown), but eating happily, playing with bubbles, does hide-and-seek thing... Looking normal.

Bruno's part of my family (actually on our lease agreement with our landlord, by name - to only have one fish, Bruno, in a 10 gal tank...). I love my cute looking pet.

This forum has offered me much help in order to be able to have my beloved pet and to do the best for its happiness and survival. But I just do not want to be looked down upon for not being able to offer him an ampler space to swim. I'm sorry guys I just cannot.

I just thought that his "spot" was something someone else had seen in other fishies, and that I could be guided on how to heal him/her if so.

Thank you all. I guarantee, lil' Bruno will be happy in his/her little home. We love, my wife and actually both our families, Bruno. We love our little swimmer.

Cheers!

I can't image a Nerf football-sized fish living in a 10g. Is this how you treat a "family member"? Would you keep your dog in a closet for 15 years (although I'm pretty sure your puffer will not live out it's max lifetime being stunted in there)?

Can't really tell from the pictures, but is the mark a cut or similar? A good picture might help you identify it even if you are unable to load it onto the forum.

Could be a heater burn or damage from some décor; does he hang around a sharp section of décor or sleep under the heater?