The Puffer Forum

Hey all,

Couple days ago my GSP started turning darker in the stomach area, almost black at times. I did a partial water change then (30%) and bumped the temp back up to 82 from 79.

Since then it has turned a little lighter but still there. Today he also changed his back colour to almost all yellow and had his tail curled right around him. I did another a partial water change 30%, added a few more plants for him to hide in and he seems to be moving around and his back is back to normal colour.


What is the colouring on his belly?

Also, I have tired to feed him freeze dried blood worms, freeze dried blood worm blocks, flakes, shrimp pellets and krill and he only eats the krill.

Is there something wrong or more things I should try?

What size tank is it in? What are the water parameters (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, SG)? Does it have any tankmates? How was the tank cycled?

We need more info before we can help.

10g for now, obtaining new tanks for everything right now but he will be moved to a bigger home shortly

Ammonia 0
Nitires 10
Nitrates 15
SG = ? Salt right?

Tankmates = Cmall Pleco
Tank cycled, using product called Cycle and a few small tetras.

I would check the nitrIte value again. That value is way of the scale of the hobby kits and will kill your puffer.
Just a typo?

If you are adding salt/have added salt already, it would be worth moving the plec to another home. They don't appreciate salt.

Whoops 1.0

Havent added salt yet, waiting for his new home so I don't shock tank to tank, I just picked him up maybe 2 weeks ago, not even.

Tank not cycled. Cycle product useless. Big water change. Get Prime to detox nitrites until cycle completes.

Alight thanks

Prime for nitrites is in the red bottle right?

Prime water conditioner, red bottle. correct Water change daily, use Prime in new water.

Sounds good. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks muchly!

Well did another 50% water change in the morning after you posted that. within 2 hours his belly was going white again. Now this morning it is almost completely back to white.


Going to do another test and see what the levels are at and maybe another partial water change.


Thanks man


Any ideas about food?

Good to hear! As far as food, check out the article on the main page here and that should give you some good ideas.