The Puffer Forum

I just got a GSP a week and a half ago. About 4 days ago he started to get white flaky. I have been treating the tank with Mardel® Maracyn and he is getting worse. I don't know what else to do. I am going to change his tank again tonight and start treating with Maracide and Tetracycline tablets. Any help would be great. I am new to puffers.

First, Welcome. Second, don't panic and start flinging all sorts of medications into the tank which probably aren't needed. Third, we need the answer to some questions first. What are your water parameters (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, SG)? How long has the tank been set up? Was it cycled first? How big is it?

I am very sad, and sorry to say that he died last night when I got home from work. He was full fresh water, that is how they sold him at Walmart. I had him in a 5 gal tank, with a filter on the side, I added a tablespoon of salt a week ago. The tank has only been set up 2 weeks and they told me nothing about cycling. He had a very healthy appetite and was very active until about 3 days ago. I went to my pet store and they gave me some medication to put it and said it would work, it didn't help at all he only got worse. I am broken hearted, and so sorry I let him down. We were even looking into getting him a 20 gal tank over the weekend, we even picked one out. I loved my puffer very much, and I would love to be more educated and get another puffer. Any advise or help would be appreciated. Thank you for your help.

I'm sorry to hear that. If you're looking at another GSP, you'll need a minimum of 30 gallons and it needs to be fully cycled before you put him in. If you can get some Biospira, that will "instant" cycle within days. Don't let the store sell you anything else to cycle with, the rest is all crap. Actually a good rule of thumb is don't let the store sell you ANYTHING until you come here and ask about it first. That will save you a good bit of money.

There's a great article in our Library on GSPs that PufferPunk wrote which I consider essential reading for anyone wanting to keep one. That should tell you a great deal.

Tina,
Thank you very much. Actually I have been reading that article today along with a couple others I found on this site. I love this site, and PufferPunks article is great. I will definitely take your advise when it comes to asking first, buying later. I am looking to buy a GSP again and would like to know the best place to do so. I see that you have a GSP as well. How big?

He was actually smaller than a DP when I got him, less than a half inch and he's now a smidge over 4" and is in full marine. Silly little guy. Hates red and pink, found that out for sure when I went into his room this weekend wearing a red shirt (I had forgotten) and he started spazzing out.

There really isn't a "best place" to buy GSPs from. I like buying in person better than online as you can't see them online. Just make sure it and any tankmates look healthy, are eating well, don't have ich, there aren't any other dead fish floating around in the tank, etc.

That's very cool how big he has gotten. I would love to see pictures if you have any. How long have you had him? GSP's seem to be quite characters from what I've read.

Thank you again for the advice, I will be asking a lot of questions for sure. Any input would be appreciated.

I've had him a bit over a year now. Don't have any good pics of him, he's pretty shy unfortunately. There was a school of black lyretail molies in the tank with him for quite some time and they bullied him something awful until I finally convinced hubby to get them out. He's coming out of his shell but its a very slow process.