The Puffer Forum

I'm a very new fish owner. I bought my F8 2 days ago. The pet store said that he was about 2 months old, he's around an inch long.

Right now he's in a 5 gallon BW tank with 0.12 salinity. I thought the small tank would be adequate until he grows a little as long as he's the only fish in there.

This morning I woke up and he was laying on the bottom looking real sick and I changed the water. After a water change, he looked fine and is now swimming around happily.

A friend told me I have to cycle my tank. I am very new to this and have no idea what this means, but I'm scared to death I'm gonna wind up killing him.

http://aquariumboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26

Also, 1.012 is too high for a Figure 8, they should be in 1.005-1.008 optimally. Read the care sheet in our library about them for more info.

I'd get your puffer a larger tank, ASAP. Preferably 15-20g. Also, if not getting the tank today, at least find some Bio-Spira to add to the tank he's in now, to instant-cycle the tank. Don't let the shop sell you anything else!