The Puffer Forum

Ok so I purchased a GSP juvenile online. Named him George. He arrived actually really scratched up and bitten up with multiple chunks missing from fins. Although he was obviously bullied he arrived with good color and in good spirits. He ate freeze dried krill the first hour after acclimation. Next day I gave him a live clam that i opened for him, and he’s been only eating 1 clam a day in the morning since. Ever since that first clam he’s refused live blood worms, live black worms, the dried krill, a crushed ramshorn snail, and even a raw shrimp shell on.

So for about a week he’s eaten a clam every morning, been very active, and looked great as far as color. Anyway, about 4 days ago I woke up to find him resting on his favorite plant, but he was completely vertical and not moving, I nudged the plant without touching him to see if he was alive. He spooked, took off and immediately turned black/grey all over. I attempted to feed him his morning clam a bit after but he was just hiding, when he did come out he would just swim past the clam. So I’ve tried feeding him the other things listed above and he just swims right by them without even looking at the food. This has gone on 4 days now without him taking a bite or any interest in the variety of food I’ve offered. Color is still grey , only belly is white.

How do I get this spooked fish to eat? I feel like each time I attempt a feed he gets more annoyed with me but I have to try.

He’s in a 29 gallon long with a biowheel for a 100 gallon aquarium, also I run two water stones. It’s pool filter sand substrate, mix of fake plants and rock caves for hiding. Only tankmates are 2 ramshorn snails he won’t touch.

Water parameters
PH 8.2
Temp 80
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 0
Salinity 1.006

I’ve given him his second treatment of API general cure for worms/parasites. I wonder if my removal of filter media to allow the api to not be absorbed is a possible reason, but then again I’ve done two 50% water changes in the two weeks I’ve had him. I was told he was held in light brackish before. Tried to mimic similar conditions. Suggestions? Thanks in advance

Welcome!
Please refrain from using General Cure, it's not a good med.
How exactly was this tank cycled? ANY amount of ammonia is toxic & a cycled tank should be showing some nitrate. Could be causing your issues.

Ok I’ll stop with the API general cure and put my filter media back in. This tank was cycled for 3 weeks with a dwarf guarami from one of my other tanks. I added a bunch of decor from my shell dweller tank as they’re at the same PH. Also added tetra safe start and monitored levels as they adjusted. And I was actually wrong about the nitrates, nitrates color has settled in test tube showing 5ppm.

You took ALL your filter media out? For how long?

This was 2 days ago I removed filter media per the instructions for the general cure; it suggests removing filter media so meds aren’t absorbed by media. I should also mention he isn’t resting on the bottom at night sleeping like he initially did every night. It seems like the eating stopped and the non stop marathon of wading against the currents began. That’s all he does is wave surf against the different currents. No exploring or sleep from what I’ve seen

You don't remove the filter media, Just carbon. Definitely why you have ammonia. I'd add Safestart to the filter again.

Great will do! I’ll report back after application! Thanks so much this site rocks

I’m receiving the Quick start plus tomorrow. In the meantime are there any suggestions as far as attempting to feed? I have live black worms, bloodworms, live ramshorn snails, raw shrimp, raw fish, mussels and clams. But I imagine appetite has everything to do with water parameters. And again he was eating well the first seven days and never turned color. The eating actually stopped a day before I removed media so I’m hoping he’ll eat as things get better. Poor guy I’m praying this works. My 5 year old is already attached to him

Well after a 50% and then another 25% water change ammonia was neutralized after testing all night. Unfortunately George didn’t make it. Found him dead this morning. He never ate, although he did perk up last night after the second water change. I wasn’t very hopeful for him as he came to me really roughed up, scratches the length of his body and entire fins nipped to the nubs. I did my best by him poor guy. The company I purchased from said they receive gsps by the 100’s , literally 100 per bag and that the missing fins and scratches all over were par for the course. They refunded me a few days ago because I told them they can’t expect their fish to live a full life when treated in this manner. I was curious about parasites so I did an autopsy. His belly was empty, except for 2 long white worms! I found a reputable shop near me that will have some new puffers next week. I’m going there and picking one out myself. No more internet orders for me . Thanks for everything!

Awww... ALL those poor puffers!
Yes, please DO support the shops that respect the lives of their fish.

Then I would say everyone should avoid pet zone sd if you care about puffers