The Puffer Forum

I recently bought myself a 8 gallon BiOrb. I don't care for gold fish so I bought myself a couple of puffers. I have 2 Green Spotted Puffers. My original is still alive, but out lived 2. It's been over a month. My original may have a parasite and is looking like Calista Flockhart. I barely found this message board this week, thank god. I'm freaking out. I want him to survive but it seems he's getting worse. I read about the discomed but Petco and Petsmart don't carry it, but managed to get the melafix. The guy at Petsmart told me that one of his coworkers has puffers and she was out but told me that I could find what I need at a fish only store and there is only one nearby. I think I may get my hands on some pimafix. I'm worried about him. He eats and he's very lively, just his body is sunkin in. Does anyone know anything about the BiOrb or another way that I may be able cure my puffer. Thanks...Robert

Have you read the article in the library (the fish section) on GSPs? Read that first, give us your water parameters (GSPs need 30 gallon each when adults and they grow rather quickly), and was the tank cycled?

Eric

I've read the article in the library, which has helped out a lot. I'm not too familiar with the water readings or going about it. I have to read that. I went out and bought melafix and pimafix and some food that treats internal parasites. I think he's a dwarf puffer at least that's what I'm getting told they are. But they are green with dark spots. Anyhow. I cycled out the water on Sunday. I did a 30% water change. I'm still in the process of treating the water. I only have 2 little ones, about an inch. I'm new to the puffer experience and I've been reading on them. I guess I'm just confused. But the BiOrb should be a self contained ecosystem. Maybe meant only for Goldfish. If that is the case then I will be totally bummed.

two gsps in a 8 gallon tank?

Anything that says "self contained ecosystem" rings warning bells for me. You probably spent a ton of money on something no fish should be forced to live in if its the type of tank I'm thinking of. Even in nature, water is constantly being refreshed via rainfall, run off, underground springs, tributaries, etc so waste is being flushed away, there is lots of live food, predators to control populations, etc. (btw, no goldfish should ever be subjected to living in less than 10 gallons of water either, they are one of the dirtiest fish out there and really need 30 gallons or so each IMO).

Check out the gallery here to identify what kind of puffer you really do have. The difference is pretty obvious between GSP's and dwarfs, and they require completely different water and living conditions, seeing as GSP's get up to 6 inches or bigger and need full marine (saltwater) eventually and dwarves stay only around one inch and tiny, in freshwater.

Ok, I'm sorry I was reading some of the articles in the library. Here is the site for the product I bought... http://www.biorb.com and yes it was a lot of money. If you view it, let me know what you think. What type of fish would actually be suitable for it.

From what I've seen, my puffers are dwarf puffers like on the website for http://www.dwarfpuffers.com

From what I've found in your gallery, the Tetraodon nigroviridis seem to be what I have. Now I feel cheated. The pet store I got them didn't have a correct name. Just said puffers. And I was told they were fresh water and wouldn't get that big. Up to 2 inches. So, since I'm new to it, I bought into the propaganda and got 2. Here is a a picture of them. You can't really see very well, but you get an idea.

<img src="http://members.cox.net/robmercy/puffers.JPG"></p>

<img src="http://members.cox.net/robmercy/Biorb.JPG">

tbonemercy wrote:From what I've found in your gallery, the Tetraodon nigroviridis seem to be what I have. Now I feel cheated. The pet store I got them didn't have a correct name. Just said puffers. And I was told they were fresh water and wouldn't get that big. Up to 2 inches. So, since I'm new to it, I bought into the propaganda and got 2. Here is a a picture of them. You can't really see very well, but you get an idea.

<img src="http://members.cox.net/robmercy/puffers.JPG"></p>

<img src="http://members.cox.net/robmercy/Biorb.JPG">

Well they werent lieing to you about one thing, they will probably only get 2" in freshwater...before they die

yeah, that's pretty messed up! My roommate has a bigger tank. 20 gallon. But it's being used as a brooder for his button quail that just hatched. So, I may have to go out and get one.

tbonemercy:

I believe that you've correctly identified your fish as Green Spotted Puffers. They are truly magnificent creatures! As I know you've already discovered, there is an invaluable wealth of information on this site (particularly in the 'Library') that will inform you about their care (size of tank, water conditions and how to obtain them, feeding, dental maintenance, etc.). And what's not covered there will be clarified in the many posts herein supplied by an international cadre of Puffer keepers!

I'm familiar with the BioOrb you have. While I don't believe for a moment that it's the sort of "self-contained system" they advertise it as, in my opinion it is, itself, a work of art -- and worth what you paid for it. But it is also apparent that it is entirely unsuitable for GSPs -- or perhaps any type of puffer, owing to their space requirements, need for relatively complicated aquascaping and/or decor for shelter, and mandatory weekly 50% water changes! (I know you haven't asked, but I thought I'd add that were I to have one of those 8-gallon orbs myself, I'd float some delicate java moss in it and add a colony of those very small, bright red shrimp to tend it and keep it free of algae.)

Wow, that thing is pretty scary. There aren't any fish I'd put in there, other than as was said, some java moss and shrimp.

The picture is really hard to see of the puffers being so blurry and not a close up, can you get anything closer? The white belly makes me think GSP though.

BiOrbs actually seem to work well for some FW shrimp. The volume would seem suited to dwarf puffers, but it would be very difficult to arrange sufficient refuge space.

That vessel is totally unsuited for goldfish. That in nowhere near enough space or filtration capacity.

How about a fancy Beta ?

Maybe a betta, but I can't find any info about the filter on that site at all.

Bettas are just like any other fish, they can SURVIVE, but will they thrive? Probably not. They like clean, filtered water, room to move around and a complex environment to explore. I've kept them in 2 gallon tanks with good filtration and they lived, but were bored of their minds. Much more active in a bigger tank with tankmates and stuff to do.