The Puffer Forum

(Background: This all started because my 3 year old daughter saw the GSP's in WalMart and I couldn't resist them. When I got home, I did some research on the internet and found out they were not the easiest of keepers and therefore invested about $400 in equipment and necessities the next day to make them the best home I could)

I have a 10 gallon tank with 2 small Green Spotted Puffers in it - just got them about a month ago. We recently overcame a horrible case of ich (we lost one GSP) which I treated with RidIch - still treating, about nine days into it (along with Instant Ocean and Melafin)....they seem to have recovered, all ich spots are gone and they seem healthy.

One of my GSP's though, who actually had the worst case of ich, is now VERY thin around the sides (until yesterday he/she had a lot black areas on his belly and around his face, but today those are gone, thankfully) - I'm guessing he/she has internal parasites (My other GSP is still nice and round and healthy looking); they are both eating fine and seem to be active (they used to be REALLY active, but I think they were also adjusting to the tank).

MY QUESTION: After having treated for ich for ten days, is it too soon to treat then for internal parasites????? I'm afraid of over-doing it with the chemicals. Any advice is most appreciated - I am a true beginner in the fish aquarium world, but am dedicated to trying to keep my friends alive and happy! I JUST read your article about the Discomed sub, thanks!

By the way, great site - without you, my little guys might not still be swimming! I am so thankful....I've contemplated going to WalMart to rescue the rest of them as they were labeled as "freshwater"...my husband would kill me because that would mean another big tank, but how can we resist?

Just so ya know, I realize that the ten gallon is WAY to small for these guys...looking to get a bigger tank, like a 55 gallon tank....hopefully in the next few weeks. Any ideas as to a great site to order something like that from or are you better off at the LFS?????

Resist because if you buy them, doesn't matter why, Wal-Mart will just order more thinking that they are successfully selling them. Aside from the fact that you would need several large tanks.

GSPs require 30 gallons each. 10 gallons is way too small, especially for two and most certainly not for three. Two GSPs should be in at least a 60, although many around here recommend a 75. This is due to a number of reasons, not the least of which is that they get to be 6" long (not including tail), thick in the body, are very messy, need overfiltration, and tend to become more and more aggressive as they age and grow.

As for your question, usually the sign of IPs is a sunken stomach. Wouldn't hurt to treat for IPs, I don't think. I would say go ahead.

Normally, I think most of us just treat ich with raised temp and salt. I've never used any chemicals and have been very successful - no lives lost so far.

EDIT: okay, you updated while I was writing my response. For another tank, you might want to check EBay for somewhere close to you, or I've had great success with Craigslist.com. You can get some great deals on used tanks both places. I wouldn't order one to be shipped though, you'll pay a fortune in shipping. Better off getting it at Wal-Mart or an LFS.

Great advice there.

I would look on http://www.craigslist.com if you want a great deal on a local sellers aquarium. If you want new, go to a retail store. I think you should look into a 75-gallon. I have 2 GSP's in a 75, and I quite like that size for them, and they're still only an inch. At maturity it will be perfect.

What in the world did you buy for a 10g tank that cost $400???

Read the sticky here on treating puffers w/ich. You really shouldn't use meds on them for that. Glad you're using Melafix too. Great article on GSPs in our Library too.

Welcome to TPF!

What in the world did you buy for a 10g tank that cost $400???

If that's not flaming someone, then what is?

The fact is you dont know what he got - he did mention IO. So maybe they're in SW or BW now and he bought a skimmer, an EHEIM canister, or any other expensive gadgets with upgrading in mind.

I've seen a lot of posts around here lately, though not normally from you PP, that cross the line when it comes to manners and behavior.

You should always write as if you're reader is standing right in front of you. If you can't write it then, then it shouldn't be written.

Id have to agree with PP on this one. I don't see how u could invest $400 on a 10 gallon tank buying products recommended for that size of a tank. Now if you were buying products for a 55 gallon or bigger tank i could see you investing that much and if that was your plan to upgrade i could see that.

Guys, I don't think PP was flaming or saying he shouldn't have, she was just surprised, that's all. I'm sure nothing bad was intended.

How's it coming newpufferowner?

That wasn't at all a flame, that was a question from someone who was astounded, as quite a few of us seem to be, at that statement.

Nope, just an expression of great suprise. Wondering how it could be done, that's all. $400 would buy a whole lot of stuff but for a 10g?

LOL I could spend that in a heartbeat.