The Puffer Forum

30 gal tank, fluval 306 canister filter, sand bottom, artificial plants and rocks.
Amonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 5ppm, ph 8.0, water temp 79,
Standard lighting.

50 gal fresh 3 angel fish and 1 parrot cichlid
40 gal fresh 1 parrot cichlid, 5 zebra dinos, 2 peppered corys, 2 snails

Hi all i am new to the forum and very happy i found it. I have been keeping fish for a couple of years and perform weekly water changes on all of my tanks. Now to the question, the 30 gal tank has been running for 2 years it has housed several fish in that time. The latest inhabitants were 3 angel fish i moved them to the 50 gal tank 2 months ago. Since that time it was empty of fish. I still topped off the tank performed water changes and tested water every week with API freshwater test kit. I wanted turn tank into a brackish tank for GSP. I bought 2 GSP‘s 4 days ago, they ate clams the first day and i added aquirium salt to an SG of 1.002 on the second day. They ate on the third day and died on day 4. Tested water and was as listed above. I dont know what i did. I really want to keep GSP‘S and dont want this to happen again. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance

Both dies at the same time? I assume they were from the same source & looked fat & healthy when purchased?

Yes from same store and they looked healthy. I had never purchased from that store before.

The tank was empty for 2 months before adding the gsp?

Yes there were not any fish in the tank for 2 months. The tank was fully cycled and I would add fish food once a week and perform by weekly water changes and top off when needed. I also tested the water every week when I did my other tanks. Ammonia 0, nitrie 0, nitrate ranged from 5 to 10. Water temp 79. When I bought the fish their colors were bright and they were very active. I put a clam in the first day and they tore it up. By the forth day they were swimming less, wouldn't eat and their colors were very dark then they died. I want to get more puffers but want to make sure I am taking care of them correctly before I do.

Do you have any cyanobacteria or algae growing in the tank? How about powerheads for water movement/surface agitation?

No algae in the tank, 30cfm air bubbler. Fluval canister filter rated at 70 gals. ( tank is 30 gal). No power head. However I have the outlet of the filter positioned to provide some current.