New to Figure 8 puffers

[kimmie_n_angus]

Hi....I just got 2 figure 8 puffers a little over a week ago. They are doing much better since I rescued them from the horrible place they were at. I finally go them to eat and they seem OK. The issue I am having now is a see some grey spots on their bellies I am not sure if this disease or stress or all of the above. They did have some weird eye fungus that was treated when I got them.

I have no salt in the tank as of yet...no one on any of the forums has give me any info. One person said I could use uniodinized sea salt 3 tea spoons per 10 gallons. I am afraid to take any more un-educated advice. It is like the blind leading the blind.

Please give me some pointers on how to get these guys happy. Also what chemicals can I use and which ones should I not. I keep Africans, South American Cichlids and tropicals mostly, so I am at a loss.

They reside in a 15 gal and are about an inch long....only 2. They are very friendly and we have many caves for them. Also, where can I get clams and snails for these guys. With Clams must I break the shells for them? Snails are illegal in Maine...go figure. Can I use salt water snails. Please give me the low down to make my babies happy!! [/color][/size]

[Hilly]

Welcome to the site

To make it a brackish environment you need to use Marine Salt, also invest in a hydrometer or refractometer so you can measure the specific gravity. With F8's you only need to get them up to 1.005 so it doesn't break the bank in terms of buying salt.

Black spots on the belly can be a sign of stress, keep an eye on the water paramters, any nitrite or ammonia readings could be causing this, or they may just be settling in and it will go away on its own.

As regarding chemicals apart from dechlorinator for water steer clear of any additives. Mainly if there is a problem with abrasions fungus have some Melafix and Pimafix handy.

Eventually these 2 are going to need a tank upgrade, you should be looking at around 25-30 gallons for 2 of them, this should give them enough space to establish territory and minimize any squabbling should it occur.

A Ph of around 8 is preferred, Aragonite substrate or Ocean Rock should buffer the water Ph up if your tap Ph is lower than this.

At that size you would need to break the clams open for them, as for snails, I dont know the answer to saltwater snails but if you know anyone with a pond that has some Pond snails, you can always grab some of them and start a snail breeding colony to provide for them.

[kimmie_n_angus]

Thank you Hilly!! They are my top priority right now as far as tanks are concerned. I always love a good reason to get more tanks...LOL!! We have 8 tanks now....90 gal SA, 90 gal African, 55 gal tropical, 15 gal with puffers, 10 gal guppies, 2 10 gal nurseries/sick tanks, and 5 gal beta tank. We were thinking a 29 gal would be a good buy for them.

The water parameters are great, except the salt. Today I will get the list you mentioned. I have Melafix so that is good that they can use that. They had some eye fungal thing when they arrived and that cleared it up great. I will check nitrite and ammonia today. A good water change should fix that nicely...less chemical the better in my book.

Any plant recommendations you can think of? Thanks so much for helping me out!! I got these sweeties from a pet store that was NOT caring for them right. I knew they might be a challenge, but one more week in the pet store and they would have been dead They had even less of a clue than me. They had them in with African cichlids. The poor things were totally stressed and not even remotely in the proper water conditions. [/color][/size]

[Hilly]

A 29g sounds good for them.
As for plants as you raise the salinity your options become less than freshwater but i'll let the plant experts answer that. I personally use fake.

Have a read of this, it's an excellent introduction to brackish, should give you lots of useful information.
http://homepage.mac.com/nmonks/aquaria/ ... part1.html

[kimmie_n_angus]

Wonderful!! Very helpful!!! Could you please locate me to a page that one of the other members has written on SG and how to get the tank up to par correctly. I cannot remember her name.

[Hilly]

Sorry not too sure of the thread you're referring to, but if you do a search you should find something to help you. Also have a look in the library and the stickies at the top of forums.

[kimmie_n_angus]

Thank you!! I will search for it. I am now up to my head in water!! The washer blew!!! Thank god for wet/dry vacs!!! At least all the floors are spotless now!!!