The Puffer Forum

Why is it that GSP's color seems to vary so much? Mine has a dull brownish body and a bright yellow head... I don't know if his dull coloring is because of stress? His belly hasn't had any grey on it since the day I got him. In the tank at the pet store they had bright yellow ones and ones with just yellow heads, and I thought I had him net a bright one but maybe he got the wrong one? Looking up pics of green spotted puffers, some of them look all yellow and some just have the yellow forehead mine has. Will he brighten up with age? What determines this? I wish he was all yellow....

I don't know... people come in all different colors, sizes & shapes. Why not puffers?

But people don't change colors when they get sick, for instance. I don't think he's sick though.

I've looked a little green around the gills before.

Sunburn, jaundice, fainting, nausea, anger.......
Puffers not only vary in colour, but they also use the pigments in their skin to signal how they're feeling, whereas we have words and gestures.
I think the bright spot on the forehead means they're quite happy, although I've never had the pleasure of a GSP yet.
Doesn't Steelgeek have a goth GSP? He's always really dark, but is happy and healthy - apart from his love of Korn and Slipknot!
Pami.

I've read that they can change color based on the environment/substrate to match. I wonder if he'll lighted up when I change my brown gravel to sand...

Actually, a substrate of crushed coral or aragonite is best, to keep a steady pH of around 8.

I have crushed coral in the filter, and the water is testing at 8

This should probably go in the hospital section, but my gsp has a little reddish spot on his side, on his belly. He's had it since I bought him. I was worried about parasites but it isn't spreading or getting any larger, and he has been active and eating great. Any idea what it is?

If its centered its his anus. The wife spent 5 minutes calling me an idiot cause I couldnt see the wound she was talking about. Guess what it was? I was assuming she knew that already and wasn't considering thats what she was talking about.

And yes, I have the goth GSP Hes blackish/brown except for the green spot on top. when he sleeps he reverses color and goes white. Kind of the opposite of standard puffs.

That's really cool.

And no, it's not his anus. It's by his head kinda.

Try to ge ta close look and see if it looks like theres a worm curled up there.

I've been trying but he's always pacing on the side of the tank. Errgh. The spot has been getting smaller though, so it may have just been a wound (he was in a tank with quite a few other gsp's at the store).

Ha ha ha!! I have a similar problem with Steve...I keep having to tell him which one's his elbow!
(Just in case this doesn't travel the Atlantic...you have a similar expression involving Shinola.)
If it's getting smaller and he was in a crowded tank not so long ago...I'd plump for a bite mark...was it flat or raised?
Pami.

flat