The Puffer Forum

Bought a GSP 6 days ago, he was in a freshwater thank when bought and is currently in a freshwater 20 gallon by himself. All water levels are normal, I've checked them once a day for the last two days. When I first got him he was very active and showed no signs of any sickness. The day before yesterday I noticed his his tail fin that was see threw has now swollen up and turned red. He also will not use his tail fin to swim. Last night he wouldn't eat at all when I feed him brine shrimp which he has eaten before but he did eat today when he was fed bloodworms but he wasn't as aggressive in eating them as he was before. Last night he sat at the bottom of the tank not moving and breathing heavy and an hour later I found him stuck to the filter which has never happened before. This morning he is being more active than he was last night however he still will not use his tail and it is still swollen and red. I have noticed he is not as colorful as he was the first few days I had him and he is showing the grey stress line that comes and goes. I've searched Google, looked on forums and I can not find anything, any help is greatly appreciated.

Please answer ALL the Qs above in red, so we can help assess the situation.

Water paramaters:
PH: 8.0
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 0
GH: 60
Kh: 80

20 gallon GSP by himself, no live plants. Haven't done a water change yet planned on doing it Monday. He's fed once a day, has been fed, a live ghost shrimp, frozen brine shrimp and frozen bloodworms. tank was cycled for a week before he was added. Also it was a brand new tank so he's the first in it.

I can't figure out of to add pictures or I would add one of him on the first day in and him now.

Tail normally



Tail red and swollen





And yes I am a victim of a fish store telling me lies about puffers. I plan on changing the gravel and slowly converting the tank brackish.

If the images didn't work here is the link to where they're uploaded

http://m.imgur.com/account/XAMINIE/images

You need to upload your images at: http://www.photobucket.com & link them to here.

Your levels are NOT "normal". What about nitrite? Why is your nitrate 0? A cycled tank will show nitrate. What test kit are you using for this?
I'm afraid you did not answer ALL the questions. HOW was the tank cycled? A tank cannot cycle in 1 week.
library/water-filtration/fishless-cycling/
library/water-filtration/emergencycycle/


Also, get him in brackish water now! I'm sure this will improve his condition.
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=19348
library/puffers-in-focus/an-introduction-to-green-spotted-puffers/

XAMINE wrote:, any help is greatly appreciated.

we cannot help you, without you helping us to understand exactly what is going on in your tank
every answer to the questions in the red box above is critically important to help find the problem
so far from the little bits you have told us, i can surmise that the water has issues from lack of cycling (skin disorders, weak swimming, lack of apetite, poor coloration)
secondarily, his diet is also an issue
......please help us help your fish

Here's articles on diet: library/category/feeding/