The Puffer Forum

I have 2 GSPs and have been feeding them shrimp. At first they both ate so much their stomachs were as big as they were but now only on does that and the other one rarely eats at all and this morning i noticed he was looking slightly darker on his underside. I have tried to separate them and feed them by using two shrimp but the fat one eats half the shrimp while the slightly black one nibbles and then swims away. Any ideas on what to do.

Oh and PH is 8 Nitrate is approx. 0 as is ammonia

My GSP has some darkness on his belly as well, but he's still eating. I'm not sure what it is though.

How was the tank cycled? You should be showing some nitrAtes, if it is. What ate the nitrItes? What kind of tests are you using? what's your water change schedule? SG? Are you using marine salt? How big are the fish & tank?

Puffers need to eat a varied diet. Check out the feeding article in our Library & anseer all my questions, so we can help better.

That darker coloration signifies stress. He is likely ill with IP's.

Pufferpunk wrote:How was the tank cycled? You should be showing some nitrAtes, if it is.

Side note: Have you found this to always be the case? I don't read any nitrates in my puffer tanks. My water changes are frequent enough that they don't even register.


PP's questions are a great way for us to help you.

perek wrote:That darker coloration signifies stress. He is likely ill with IP's.

This is not necessarily true. My GSP's tummy turns from white to dark usually depending on whether he's eating or not. I've read that others have GPSs whose bellies change color all the time, too, and its normal. I wouldn't think its IPs unless its getting skinny.

I would suggest trying to feed something other than shrimp and see if he'll eat. Frozen or live worms or something like that.

Have you found this to always be the case? I don't read any nitrates in my puffer tanks. My water changes are frequent enough that they don't even register.

Good, healthy water changes & low nitrates aren't usually the case w/someone just coming to this forum.

Ahh, I see.