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FAQs about Green Spotted Puffer Compatibility
Related Articles: Green Spotted
Puffers,
Alone
But Not Lonely: The Importance of Keeping Puffers Individually
by Damien Wagaman, The Arrowhead Puffer,
Tetraodon suvattii, miraculously malicious,
Freshwater/Brackish Puffers, True
Puffers, Puffers in General,
Burrfishes/Porcupinefishes,
Tobies/Sharpnose Puffers,
Boxfishes,
Puffy & Mr. Nasty, Puffer
Care and Information,
Related FAQs: GSPs 1,
GSPs 2, GSP
Identification, GSP Behavior,
GSP Selection, GSP Systems,
GSP Feeding, GSP
Disease, GSP Reproduction,
BR Puffers 1,
BR Puffers 2, BR Puffers 3,
BR Puffer Identification,
BR Puffer Selection,
BR Puffer Compatibility,
BR Puffer Systems, BR Puffer Feeding,
BR Puffer Disease,
BR Puffer Reproduction,
Brackish Water Fishes in General,
Puffers in General, True Puffers,
Freshwater Puffers,
Burrfishes/Porcupinefishes,
Tobies/Sharpnose Puffers,
Boxfishes,
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GSP Issues, beh., comp.
7/16/09
Hi WWM Folks!
I have a Green Spotted Puffer issue. I have two GSPs (one is 2" and the
other is 2.5") The have been together (alone, no other tank mates)
peacefully in a 10g aquarium for the last 6 months.
<I see... they must be getting pretty big by now.>
Because I love my fish, 3 months ago, I began prepping a 150g marine
tank for them as I knew from reading on this site that they would need
lots of space.
<Indeed; 50-odd gallons for two specimens seems to be the going rate.
Does depend on the fish, with some GSPs (perhaps mature males?) being
more aggressive and intolerant than others.>
I have been cycling this big tank with a dozen or so 1-2" mollies (also
doing very well) for a few months and the numbers look great. I
gradually increased the GSP's 10g tank to 1.020 over months of water
changes and the GSP seem to be thriving and getting along fine. No
chasing, no tail bending, no dark colors, just peace and quiet.
<Good.>
So, two weeks ago I moved the little buggers over to their new 150g salt
tank (1.020 also) to stretch out and enjoy their new vast playground,
lovingly designed just for them, complete with lots of sand, crevices,
holes, caves, and plastic plant hiding places, etc. To my complete
shock, they can't stand each other now!
<Unfortunately, quite a normal reaction. There's a theory called "Dear
Enemy" that says territory holding animals tolerate familiar neighbours
because they are perceived as less of a threat, since everyone already
has a territory, there's nothing worth fighting over. But an unfamiliar
animal is worth being hostile towards because it might not have a
territory and may well be more of a threat in terms of access to females
or resources. This has been studied with various animals including fish,
and seems to explain things like why cichlids in fish tanks tolerate one
another when they're brought up together, but if a new fish of the same
species is added, everyone attacks it. Just so in your case with the
GSPs: In the 10 gallon tank, everyone matured together, and the size of
the tank probably made it difficult for any one fish to establish its
territory completely securely anyway. So a certain level of tolerance
existed. In the bigger tank, the two GSPs were now "strangers in a
strange land" and immediately set about staking their claims to
territories. They were no longer Dear Enemies but rivals, and while you
might hope they'd recognise one another, for territory-holding animals
it is probably true that the individual and his territory are one and
the same thing, so even if it's the same two fish, with two new
territories in place, they're effectively strangers. Male GSPs defend
the eggs and the fry until they're free swimming, so you can fully
expect cichlid-like behaviours from them.>
Neither one of them seems to give a hoot about the herd of mollies
zipping about. The larger puffer spends all day stocking the smaller
puffer and the smaller puffer spends all day trying to elude the larger
puffer, spending most of his day hiding in the rocks. The smaller puffer
even tries to hide in the school of mollies only to be singled out and
chased around mercilessly again and again. GSP seem to be a very visual
hunter because the mean big guy can spot the shy little guy no matter
where he hides. Will this work out??
<Wouldn't bank on it; you could try adding a third specimen to break the
dynamic, and prevent any one fish from being bullied constantly.>
It has been two weeks with no change. Also, when he is not chasing the
smaller puffer, the large puffer spends a lot of time swimming up and
down back of tank as though bored or stressed even though there is a
plethora of stimulating tank décor and no one bothering him. Both have
great color and seem physically plump and healthy, in fact seem to be
growing larger exponentially over just the last two weeks!
<Often happens when moved from a too-small tank to a good sized one.>
Could the higher salinity cause more aggressive behavior in these GSP?
<More to do with sexual maturity. I'm not a huge fan of keeping GSPs in
fully marine conditions, though I admit many people do; realistically,
anything around SG 1.010 is ample, and perhaps optimal, given that there
really aren't *marine fish* as such.>
Is 150g too big?
<No.>
Is it too small for 12 mollies and two small puffers??
<Plenty of space for them, and perhaps one or two more GSPs if you
wanted to add them.>
Should I let them duke it out? May the best puffer prevail?? Please
advise!
Thanks,
Amy
<Cheers, Neale.>
Re: 75g stocking question, GSP comp.
7/31/08
Thanks, Chris.
<Welcome>
Keep up the good work, crew!
<Will do.>
Any other ideas as to what I could stock in that 75g if I moved my GSP over to
it?
<Its up to the puffer really, no hard and fast rules here about what they will
accept in the tank with them, if anything at all. Start poking around here
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/BrackishSubWebIndex/gspsart.htm for a start.>
<Chris>
GSPs & Butterfly Goby (Neovespicula
depressifrons) 4/24/08
<Hi again, Scott>
Thanks for the reply. I think I had an overprotective mother type situation,
because the patch does in fact seem to be going away on its own.
<Good news!>
I am keeping two GSPs in the 30 right now but plan to upgrade to a 55 gallon
when I move if I feel that the two fish will get along ok together or stay out
of each others way, which ever works. Right now the smaller one is no more than
1 1/2" max and the bigger one is maybe 2", but I think smaller, I am guessing.
<They really should be moved into larger quarters soon. If they have been paired
together as juveniles, there is a pretty good chance they will get along into
adulthood.>
The butterfly goby is bigger than the smaller GSP but will eventually be moved
into something else when the SG gets up there. I wonder if you know anything
about that fish actually, I have found very little information on it, I can't
even find a scientific name on it, but I guess it is sold as 'butterfly goby' in
the US. What I did find listed it as brackish, which is why I got it. Anyway
thanks again.
<Here is what I found on the goby:
http://homepage.mac.com/nmonks/aquaria/brackfaqpages/Predatory_fish/(4k)butterfly-go.html
~PP>
Scott
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Can my green spotted puffers
be dangerous to my kids? – 04/04/08
Hello,
<Hi.>
I recently bought two green spotted puffers and my wife and I have been doing
some more research on them. I have been unable to find out if toxin in these
puffers can harm my kids through casual contact. Obviously we don't allow our
kids to eat aquarium fish but if they get their hands in while I'm not looking
and touch the fish and stick their hands in their mouths, is there any risk?
<I think that’s not likely. While they can emit tiny amounts of their poison to
tell possible predators that they don’t taste well, in contrast to some other
puffers there is no report on people having problems from simply handling Green
spotted puffers (which are among the most common puffers). Anyway, to be safe
I’d not allow kids (or adults) to touch the fish, also because of their slime
coat, which might be disturbed, scratched away by fingernails. I’d explain to
them that they as well as the fish might get sick. Also, it’s important to keep
the hand out of fish tanks as much as possible to avoid the introduction of
unwanted substances like fats, oils, heavy metals. If you have to grab into a
fish tank, wash your hands without soap before you do so, or if you have to use
soap, be sure to remove it completely before grabbing into the aquarium.>
If there is we will have to get rid of these extremely cute pets that both our
children love.
<My choice here would be to clarify that they should not put their hands in
there for the sake of the fish they love. Also, when the puffers grow, they can
deliver a painful and bleeding bite. Large puffers (larger than an adult Green
spotted puffer) have bitten of entire finger tips. They are (like other fish)
simply no animals you should pet.>
One other question, the puffers are still small, about 1 1/2 to 2" in a 10
gallon (for now) with brackish water at 1.006, should I up the salinity to
1.012?
<1.006 is okay.>
Also my LFS recommended live feeding my puffers, is this necessary?
<No. Green spotted puffers generally accept a wide range of dried, frozen and
fresh foods.>
Right now they are on PE Mysis, with bloodworms and an occasional snail from my
community freshwater tank. Is this diet varied enough?
<Sounds good. See
http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/library/feeding/feeding-your-puffers/ for
further ideas.>
Thanks for your time.
<No problem. Cheers, Marco.>
Can my green spotted puffers
be dangerous to my kids? – 04/04/08
Hello,
<Hi.>
I recently bought two green spotted puffers and my wife and I have been doing
some more research on them. I have been unable to find out if toxin in these
puffers can harm my kids through casual contact. Obviously we don't allow our
kids to eat aquarium fish but if they get their hands in while I'm not looking
and touch the fish and stick their hands in their mouths, is there any risk?
<I think that’s not likely. While they can emit tiny amounts of their poison to
tell possible predators that they don’t taste well, in contrast to some other
puffers there is no report on people having problems from simply handling Green
spotted puffers (which are among the most common puffers). Anyway, to be safe
I’d not allow kids (or adults) to touch the fish, also because of their slime
coat, which might be disturbed, scratched away by fingernails. I’d explain to
them that they as well as the fish might get sick. Also, it’s important to keep
the hand out of fish tanks as much as possible to avoid the introduction of
unwanted substances like fats, oils, heavy metals. If you have to grab into a
fish tank, wash your hands without soap before you do so, or if you have to use
soap, be sure to remove it completely before grabbing into the aquarium.>
If there is we will have to get rid of these extremely cute pets that both our
children love.
<My choice here would be to clarify that they should not put their hands in
there for the sake of the fish they love. Also, when the puffers grow, they can
deliver a painful and bleeding bite. Large puffers (larger than an adult Green
spotted puffer) have bitten of entire finger tips. They are (like other fish)
simply no animals you should pet.>
One other question, the puffers are still small, about 1 1/2 to 2" in a 10
gallon (for now) with brackish water at 1.006, should I up the salinity to
1.012?
<1.006 is okay.>
Also my LFS recommended live feeding my puffers, is this necessary?
<No. Green spotted puffers generally accept a wide range of dried, frozen and
fresh foods.>
Right now they are on PE Mysis, with bloodworms and an occasional snail from my
community freshwater tank. Is this diet varied enough?
<Sounds good. See
http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/library/feeding/feeding-your-puffers/ for
further ideas.>
Thanks for your time.
<No problem. Cheers, Marco.>
|
GSP tankmate question
2/3/08
Hi all, I have a question about a possible tankmate for my GSP "Poofy".
<Generally Tetraodon nigroviridis and Tetraodon fluviatilis do not do well with
tankmates. The best companions are their own species, particularly when reared
together. In big tanks they sometimes work nicely with Green Chromides, Scats,
etc., but a 30 gallon just isn't big enough for that. It's also worth
remembering that in the wild alongside the invertebrates and plants these
pufferfish normally eat, they also take the scales and fins from larger fish.>
I am considering getting another GSP of about the same size, mine is 2.5" now. I
have him in a 30 gal, with SG 1.016, 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite and 0 Nitrate( at
least
measureable), the substrate is crushed coral aragonite and I have a rock cave ,
fake mangrove root, and a bunch of fake plants. for filtration I use a HOT
Magnum 250 canister and I recently replaced a second HOT mag 250 with a CPR Bak
Pak skimmer using a Maxijet 1200 pump. Works pretty good so far. My question is
can I add another GSP since mine has been alone for over a year?
<It's a gamble. Certainly worth a shot, but there's no guarantees at all. Some
specimens are quite territorial; perhaps the males?>
I wasn't sure if he would tolerate it or if he would be too territorial.
<Simply no way of knowing.>
Thanks for the help, I have learned tons of things on here from freshwater to
reef, and learning more everyday.
Terry
<Cheers, Neale.>
Re: compatibility and
beginning a SW tank, now BR, GSP – 10/24/07
<Hello again!>
I just wanted to say thank you to Brian G for answering my questions.
My GSP (I named him Spooky) is doing very well and is quite personable!
I have decided to make the 29g aquarium his new BW (solitary) home.
<I think you made a very wise decision!!! Good luck and take care of Spooky.>
Thanks again,
<You're welcome! -- Brian Griffin>
Leslie
Goldfish, Puffers, Eels and Algae Eaters... Some incomp. tank mates for a
Green Spotted Puffer – 05/13/07
Hello,
<Hi Dany. Marco here.>
I am new at having a puffer in my fish tank. I bought a Green Spotted Pufferfish
today and I didn’t know that they were so complicated to own until I started
looking up what they eat. Can you please list some of the things they eat? (I
fed him some Gammarus shrimp and he seemed to like them very much)
<Please read
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i1/green_spotted_puppies.htm, which will
probably answer all of your questions with regard to your puffer’s proper diet
and care.>
I was wondering if it was okay to have my puffer in the same 10 gallon tank as
my Goldfish, Peacock Eel and Algae Eater. I was also wondering what other fish I
could put in there without having conflicts.
<No. Goldfish are cold water, Peacock eels need fresh water or brackish water
with a low salinity and your puffer needs medium to high salinity brackish
water. In addition, the puffer might pick the dorsal and caudal fins of the eel.
There are no algae eaters in trade regularly that are from the same salinity as
your puffer. The 10 gallon tank is too small for your puffer. I would not put
any tank mates in there at all, but rather consider upgrading.>
Thank you for all your help.
<You are welcome.>
Dany
Re: Some incomp. tank mates for a Green Spotted Puffer II – 05/13/07
5/15/07
Hello again,
Thank you for your help, Marco.
<You are welcome.>
My Green Spotted Puffer is very small, about the size of a quarter, and right
now I can only afford another 10gallon tank. So, if I decide to keep him instead
of trying to give him back to the place I bought him at, would he be okay in a
10gallon tank for now? (I am 15yrs old and I am new at the whole fish thing.
<As long as he is alone and given his small size, it may work for a few (5-6)
months if you provide pristine water quality (read about cycling, filtration,
brackish water). Remember he will reach 6” in a few years and already produces a
lot of waste. Giving him back until you can afford and maintain a more
appropriate tank would be the alternative, but I understand you are attached to
the fish.>
I have a job babysitting, but I don’t work much and only get paid $20 when I do.
I almost couldn’t afford the fish and stuff I have now. He hasn’t nipped at my
eel, and he seems to be doing ok, right now. I understand I would need marine
salt...right? And a better variety of food for him.
<Yes and yes.>
I love Spot (my puffer) and I really want to keep him.
<If you really want to keep him, start saving money for a larger tank with about
30 gallons. You should have read more about the requirements of your fish before
you bought them. Since you are new to the hobby, read as much as possible.>
Thanks. Dany. <Cheers, Marco.>
Black Fin Sharks and Dwarf puffers. Combining
FW, BW & Coldwater Fish 4/22/07
<<Please see the further notes below in doubled carats. BobF>>
<Hi, Pufferpunk here>
I have 1 black fin shark
<Columbian shark (Arius jordani),
<<Hexanematichthys seemanni>>
a schooling, brackish fish that can grow to 18".>
and 2 puffers
<Dwarf puffers? As per your subject line.>
<<See the graphic... not Dwarves, but GSPs>>
and then 2 feeder fish
<Feeder goldfish? Bad idea to house them with tropicals. They prefer
colder water (the others need a heater) & are high waste (ammonia)
producers--not healthy for the other inhabitants.>
that they seem to be friends with in a way. I was wondering if I could
put marine salt in there for puffers too.
Dwarf puffers (if that is the species you really have), are strictly
freshwater fish.>
I have aquarium salt.
<You were correct in your 1st choice of marine salt for brackish water.>
I was also wondering if I could put a fine sand in there for the
puffer--half sand and half rock? There's a photo of how they look.
<Sand really isn't necessary for those puffers. Your bigger problem
lies in the fact that you are combining FW, BW & coldwater fish. Please
separate them into 3 different tanks or rehome some of them. You didn't
mention how large your tank is but maybe the above info will help you to
decide which to keep. The puffers can be kept in the smallest tank of
the 3 species, requiring 3-5g each. Both the "shark" & goldfish will
outgrow a 10g tank. Here is where you can find more info on puffers:
www.thepufferforum.com ~PP>
<<Please read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/BrackishSubWebIndex/gspsart.htm
Here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/ariidcats.htm
and here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/gldfshsystems.htm
and the linked files above... You do have an unsustainable mix of
coldwater freshwater (the goldfish) and tropical brackish to marine (the
rest) species here... and need to decide which one to keep... and start
saving for larger quarters... Bob Fenner>> |
GSP & Snail Tank Mates 3/29/07
<Hi Regina, Pufferpunk here>
Can a GSP be housed with a large turbo snail?
<I assume you are speaking of a green spotted puffer? Is in saltwater? Puffers
are snail-eaters.>
Can this GSP be placed with larger fish?
<Depends on the fish & the size of the tank. GSPs are notorious fin-nippers &
should be kept with fast-moving fish. Size may not matter.>
I was thinking of putting a GSP in my QT tank that's empty now. Is it possible
that <a> new fish would be ok for 2 weeks to <in> QT before GSP starts picking?
<I'm not sure I understand your question. Do you want to QT other fish in the
tank with the GSP? They probably will get picked on in a bare QT & in small
quarters. Please do not rush a juvie GSP into SW. ~PP>
Regina Norton
Valentini puffer and a GSP 10/10/2006
I wanted to know if I could have both valentini puffer and a spotted puffer in
the same tank.
<<“Spotted Puffer” is very vague. Do you mean a Green Spotted Puffer, Tetraodon
nigroviridis?>>
I have a 55gal fish only tank
<<While it is possible, these are very aggressive animals, and unfortunately
your tank is just too small. The GSP will grow to 6” not including tail and
will love that tank all to itself! Come check out
www.pufferresources.net. Lisa.>>
Snails as Cleaners in Puffer Tank 8/4/06
Pufferpunk (& Crew), After the Puffers have been thoroughly acclimated to
brackish environment, do you think it would be possible (I guess it is
possible... is it practical?) to acclimate some of the smaller marine snails
from my Reef Tank clean-up crew to the lower salinity of the Puffers aquarium or
am I better off trying to acclimate fresh water snails to the higher
salinity? I would think the latter (freshwater snails) would be more prone to
osmotic problems, but .. what do I know! <smile> What do you think?
<Neither will work as clean-up crew, as snails are puffer food! ~PP>
Thanks, Roy
Roy
Puffer Compatibility - 3/21/2006
Hello
<<Good Morning!>>
I was wondering if I could keep a Valentini Puffer, Green Spotted Puffer and a
Stars and Stripes Puffer together in a 50 gallon saltwater aquarium with live
rock, sand and crushed coral. Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks.
<<No, these puffers get too big to house them all together in a 50-gallon. The
GSP needs 30-gallons MINIMUM alone, and I personally think a 50-gallon is much
better for a single GSP. Lisa.>>
Attack of the Killer Puffers! 1/15/05
Hello and greeting to the WWM crew from Toronto Canada<Hi, Pufferpunk here,
from Chicago>
I need help With my green spotted Puffer. I have a 30 gallon freshwater tank and
I just got 3 puffers yesterday. I'm noticed that they nibble on my other fish
and have killed two of the already. I just wanted to ask is there is any fish
at all (fresh or brackish water) that I could put in. I have heard that they
don't pick on angelfish and swordtail. Is this true?
<Absolutely the worst fish you can keep with a puffer. They like to nip on long
tails & fins. I suggest returning these fish until you have proper housing for
them or they will nip/maim/kill all your fish. Read:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/BrackishSubWebIndex/gspsart.htm ~PP>
Thanks a lot
GSP Tank & Mates 12/16/05
Hello,
<Hi, Pufferpunk here>
How does this sound for my 20 gallon long saltwater Green Spotted Puffer tank:
<An adult (6") GSP is going to need at least a 30g tank. I think mine would
have been happy in a 55g. I don't suggest putting a juvie GSP into
saltwater. They should be starting out in mid-range brackish water & slowly
brought up to marine conditions as they mature.>
5lbs. Live rock
<Not enough to support a 20g tank. I'd use at least 20lbs. Also, puffers need
lots of intricate decor to investigate or they get bored.>
Marineland Bio-Wheel 150
<Not necessary for a SW tank. BioWheels cause messy salt spray. The skimmer
and live rock is your filtration.>
Prizm Skimmer
<Prizm skimmers are junk. I suggest a Coralife 65g Super Skimmer for a tank
that size.>
Bare-bottom tank
<It will be easier to keep the pH & hardness at a more steady, high level with
crushed coral or aragonite as substrate (or live sand). Also, puffers are more
comfortable/less stressed with a substrate.>
This tank will just have 1 GSP that I have now, are there any other fish that I
can keep in this tank?
<Certainly not in a tank that size. If you go larger than 30g, then you could
try some damselfish, or a tomato clownfish. Only with a ton of hiding
places. The puffer may or may not allow tank mates.
Please read:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/BrackishSubWebIndex/gspsart.htm
Good luck with your puffer! ~PP>
Thanks, Mark
Bitten puffer 12/11/05
Hail to the WWM Crew!
<Wow!>
this is my first time writing in as this is my first problem!
<Good to hear!>
My Green Spotted puffer has been fine ever since I got him, he feeds like a
wolverine and is always happy flying round the tank.
I have noticed that he has 1 single white spot on his side below his left
pectoral fin. the spot is about 2-3 mm in diameter and perfectly round.
I have no idea what it is, when he gets excited and his belly changes to white,
you cannot see the spot anymore. This made me think it may be scar tissue that
has lost the ability to change colour.
<This sounds likely... but, in my experience, if you substrate is light
coloured, and the puffer is healthy/happy (in brackish water), his/her belly
should be white most of the time. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule.>
Anyway, like I say, he has not change behaviour and he is still feeding can you
help me to put my mind at rest?
<Perfectly round marks could be bites from another puffer... do make sure the
tank is large enough and there are plenty of refuges / broken lines of sight. I
would still watch the fish closely just in case. I also recommend checking out
www.thepufferforum.com .>
Thank you
TOM
<You're welcome.... John>
Damselfish & Green Spotted Puffers 10/4/05
<Pufferpunk again>
Would there be any specific species of damselfish you would recommend? I like
the look of several, what should I look out for? I have years and years of
fresh experience, no marine.
<When your puffers have grown >4" & have reached close to marine conditions (SG
1.018), you can add damselfish. Pretty much any species will do. Just make
sure to have the tank heavily decorated, for lots of hiding places. ~PP>
Crabs & Puffer? 5/31/05
Howdy,
<Hi, Pufferpunk here>
I am wanting to add a brackish water crab that can stay in the water all the
time in my 10 gallon tank.
A blue legged crab was a thought, but I'm not sure he can stay in brackish
water. The other part of the problem is that I have a figure 8 puffer in there
too.
I'm thinking the puffer will eat a blue legged crab even if he could survive the
water conditions. I've read plenty of websites that just say nothing can go in
with the puffer (crabs and other cleaners that stir up the sand). For a small
tank with only 1 fish, I wanted some other small creatures to climb on the
liverock and stuff. Needless to say, snails are out of the question. Any
suggestions?
<Crabs & snails are puffer food. I don't suggest adding anything a puffer can
eat. There really is no clean-up crew for that tank, you'll have to do your own
maid service. In a 10g, it is best to keep the puffer alone (interesting enough
tank w/just the puffer) but you might be able to get away with a couple of
bumblebee gobies as tank mates. They may get eaten though, if that is the kind
of F8 you have. You just can't tell with a puffer! ~PP>
Thanks, Brian
GSPs Living with FW fish? 4/26/05
HELLO:
<Hi Mike, Pufferpunk here>
I have a question about moving from BW to SW, I know from your site that GSP's
like full marine as adults. I would like to keep all these fish together if I
could. I have 1 Pleco approx 6", 2 GSP's (1" babies), 2 Cobalt Blue Zebra
Cichlid (1.5"babies) and 2 Jewel cichlids (1.5"babies), I would also like to get
2 electric yellow cichlids. Will these fish live in a SW tank if raised slowly?
<Absolutely not! All the fish you have, other than the puffers are strictly
freshwater fish & will not even like brackish water, never mind marine
water. Don't confuse cichlid salt with marine salt>
If not, what is the highest SG I can raise it to keep all happy and healthy?
<Please don't even consider trying to keep FW fish w/BW-SW fish!>
My current tank (30 G hex) set up is pH 8.0, SPG 1.004,ammonia is 0 (or near 0),
nitrate is 0. nitrite is good and the water is a little on the soft side (soon
to add crushed coral to help). My Filtration is 1 emperor 280 with a BioWheel
and a 6" air stone bubbler.
<You say your water is soft, but your pH is 8? That's a little confusing. You
tank is already fully stocked (as far as FW fish), I wouldn't add any more, as
the fish you have will grow & get very aggressive, especially if they pair
up. There is a smaller "footprint" on a hex=less swimming room. The Pleco will
definitely outgrow a 30g tank at 18". The BioWheel isn't usually recommended
for BW-SW tanks, as the salt spray from the wheel will make a huge mess. How
was the tank cycled? You should be showing some nitrAtes & never any ammonia,
ever. I would consider cycling a different tank for the GSPs (at least 20g) &
make it BW for now. As they grow up, you can upgrade (they will need 30g each
as 6" adults) & turn it SW then. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/BrackishSubWebIndex/gspsart.htm ~PP>
Thank you again for your help, Mike
New Puffer fish
My husband recently bought a puffer fish from our LFS. They called it a puffer,
and upon closer questioning, called it a green spotted puffer. It was
recommended to us by the same LFS to control snails in our tank. Ours is a
freshwater aquarium and home to five neon tetras and a couple of catfish. They
assured me it will be fine in our six gallon freshwater tank, but upon looking
at various websites, I have my doubts.
<Your doubts are warranted. He will need specialized care; some salt in the
water, larger tank, will probably eat the neons eventually, etc.>
This puffer has gone thru many many snails in the two days we've had him. In
fact he's eaten them all and now I'm scavenging snails from the tank filter. As
usual, dad and the kids have brought home a new pet, and mom gets to figure out
how to keep him alive and hopefully happy and healthy. So, should I return him?
Also, what to feed (the store gave us frozen baby brine shrimp to feed him, but
he's completely uninterested - they're obviously too small for him, although the
tetras were in heaven).
<Frozen Mysis shrimp and/or plankton would be better.>
Any advice is appreciated. I've looked thru your website and it's very helpful.
However, now I'm inundated with often conflicting info and I need to go straight
to the horse's mouth.
<Take a look here for a lot more info
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fwpufferfaqs.htm>
Thanks so much, Julie Billington
<Welcome to the hobby, Steven Pro>
Re: New Puffer fish
Thanks so much for the quick response! We got him/her some freeze-dried
shrimp and some frozen brine shrimp. He liked the frozen shrimp and loved the
freeze dried shrimp. I probably overfed him because I was so happy to seem him
eating. The tetras continue to be impressed with the new additions to their
diet. We're now scraping our pennies together for a 20 gallon tank. My main
concern now is whether the catfish will tolerate the salt in the tank.
<It depends on the species of puffer and how much salt you will have to add to
keep him happy. Most fish will be ok with 1 tablespoon of salt per 5 gallons of
water. It is a pretty standard recommendation for various health reasons. It
would be best when you get the 20 to keep both tanks up and separate the fish.
Neons in one and the puffer in another.>
Thanks Again! -Julie
<You are welcome. -Steven Pro>
Brackish corals and puffers
>How much coral do you have to put in a 10 gallon brackish tank with green
spotted puffers.
>>None.
>I never see coral in brackish tanks anywhere only in saltwater tanks. Do they
like a high ph or only saltwater puffers?
>>Corals like relatively high pH, and require so much for their growth that I
couldn't begin to address it here. If you're speaking of using coral skeletons
in a tank with marine puffers, then I would caution against it as I have seen
torn skin (they don't have scales. Marina
More GSP Qs 2/24/04
OK. Cool. The tank is going to be for the puffer. What could I put in with
him?
<At a tank that size & the aggressiveness of the puffer, I'd say
none. Eventually, he'll need a larger tank. If the tank is large enough &
heavily decorated with lots of broken lines of sight, you may eventually be able
to add a few fish. The problem is, there are very few fish that prefer the
changes in salinity that the GSP does. They go from low-end BW when juvenile
<2”, (in a specific gravity, or SG of 1.005-08), at 2-4”, medium BW (SG
1.010-15) and adult >4” SW (SG 1.018-22). Even so, I do still find a few missing
fish occasionally in my GSP tank. I have damselfish & a tomato clown living
with my adults in SW. ~PP>
Lobsters & Puffers 2/24/04
Thanks for the advice. One more for you:
<Sure, Pufferpunk here again>
Electric Blue Lobster vs Clown Loaches?
Basically, I have this lobster in a tiny tank, less than 10 gallons I imagine. I
have a 20 gallon that has my Green Puffer, and a 29 gallon with a couple
angelfish, 2 clown loaches, a pleco, and an Indian perch.
<Your puffer will be ok alone in a tank that size. It should be in brackish
water now. The angelfish will grow as large as your outstretched hand, Clown
loaches & Plecos grow 12+". The perch grows 6-10" & is a coldwater fish. I
think you've got some problems there." The lobster grows to 4-5" & needs a
15-20g tank. It is a scavenger, but will eat anything it can catch in it's
claws.>
I'd like to move the lobster to one of those, but as you stated, it seems he and
the puffer just ain't gonna work out, especially if I'd like to get the "jade"
puffer (as they have him listed in the store).
Suggestions?
<Again, I will remind you, the GSP will grow to 6" & need at least 20g for
itself. The "jade" puffer (is this it?
http://www.pufferfish.co.uk/aquaria/species/pufferfish/types/ceylon.htm)
grows to 7-8" & needs at a 30g for itself. Together, I wouldn't put them in
anything less than a 40g tank.>
Thanks once again...
<You'll need to figure somethin out here, soon! ~PP>
Tank Mates for GSP? 2/23/04
1 Spotted Green Puffer + Electric Blue Lobster in 20 gallon?
<Bad idea. GSPs' staple foods are crustaceans. Lobsters' staple food are
fish. One will eat the other, depending on who gets who 1st. Puffers usually
sleep on the bottom of the tank. This makes it easy pickings for the lobster to
grab. An adult GSP can make an easy meal of a blue lobster & even a juvie
puffer could rip off a claw or 2.>
1 Spotted Green Puffer + 1 Jade Puffer in 20 gallon?
<If by "jade" puffer, you are speaking of the Ceylon, or Tetraodon fluviatilis,
then they may get along as tank mates. They both prefer saltwater as adults &
are of similar temperaments. I have 2 6' GSPs living with a 5" Ceylon right
now. The GSP needs at least 20g/fish, as it grows to 6". The Ceylon needs at
least 30g/fish, as it grows to 7-8". There's not enough room for both in a
20g. Also, there's always a chance you get a aggressive killer as a puffer
(especially the GSP) that won't tolerate any tank mates of any kind.>
Thanks. -LH
<You're welcome. GSPs are one of my favorite puffers! If you have any other
questions about their care & feeding, I'll be happy to help. In the proper
conditions, these puffers can give you enjoyment for 10+ years! ~PP>
Green Spotted Puffers 2/24/04
Dear Crew:
<Hi, Pufferpunk here>
I recently purchased 2 small FW Spotted Puffers at my local fish store. After
introducing these fish into a 38 gal. tank w/Cichlids, they were attacked by 2
of the bigger fish. The bigger fish did no damage to the Puffers. Soon after the
attack the 2 larger fish were floating on their bellies. I filed a complaint
with the store, but nobody could answer my question. Are these fish poisonous to
other fish?
<Yes, in addition to the fact they have very though skin, they can puff to 5x
their normal size & produce prickly spikes to make a very unpleasant meal, their
skin & organs are also poisonous. Have you ever heard of eating fugu? 1% death
rate, among folks that eat it. Your LFS also mislead you about their being FW.
These are high-end BW fish that require SW as adults. See:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/BrackishSubWebIndex/gspsart.htm If these
are the only fish left in your tank, you can now make it BW. ~PP>
Redtail Catfish death, is a GSP the Culprit?
Our South American Redtail Catfish looked like it went into shock, and
eventually died awhile later. We have a green spotted puffer in the tank too, is
the puffer poisonous, and could he have killed the catfish? The catfish was a
very good size, a lot larger than the puffer.
Ricardo & Stephanie
<GSP's are not "that" toxic... the cause of death very likely unrelated. Most
often Phractocephalus die from mis-feeding (feeder goldfish, or choking on
another too-large, spiny fish), or "jump out"... Bob Fenner>
Pufferfish (again!)
Hi Bob,
Please accept my apologies for burdening you with yet another Pufferfish
question!
<Okay>
I recently obtained an attractive 30 UK gal tank as a gift and I have chosen to
be boring and fill it with brackish puffers as with all my other tanks!
<Nice gift>
I have heard from various sources that keeping two puffers together results in
one being dominant and bullying the other to death whereas keeping them in a
small group would ease the one on one bullying as it has in my 150gal puffer
tank. My proposed stocking ideas for my 30 gal is either two figure eights
puffers or one green spotted puffer on its own (or if I have any luck, a Ceylon
Puffer!)
Would it be wiser for me to add 3 figure of eights so its more of a group?
<Yes>
Or would it be better to go for just one larger fish such as a Green Spotted
rather than keeping several Figure of eights together in a small tank?
Many thanks for your advice once again,
<Worth trying the group first. Do keep an eye out, perhaps a phone call in to
suppliers for "oddball" puffers in their imported shipments... from Africa,
Asia... there are very often "contaminants"... not-listed species mixed in...
Bob Fenner>
Kris
Figure of 8 puffer/green spotted puffer
Please can you help me?
<I will try my best!>
I have 1 figure of 8 puffer and 1 spotted green puffer in s 250 litre approx.
community tank with a mixture of both large and small fish including my 4 Discus
which obviously means that the water is soft. They were previously together is
their own tank but I thought it would be a good idea to put them in my larger
tank. The Aquatic place that I got them from said that it would be OK but I'm
not so sure that it suits my dear little spotted Puffer. He doesn't appear to
be very well. He's not eating anything anymore and one of his side fins has
stopped moving or is not there at all, he is just floating around and bumping
into everything. They are both very placid fish and I don't want to lose this
little guy. Can you help?
<Were they happy and healthy in their old tank? I would move them
back...pronto!>
Is he in the right conditions or should I move them into their own tank again?
<Well, as sensitive as the discus are you certainly can't change their water
conditions...right? If the puffers aren't going to adjust, and it sounds as if
they aren't, then move them back and put something else in with the discus>
What should I do to save him?
<That is what I would do. David Dowless>
Regards, Dena Richardson
Hurt puffer.........
Hello! I have a spotted green puffer. He is in a freshwater tank with female
swordtails and guppies. I feed the other fish tetra color and I feed him brine
shrimp pellets. His tail is curled up and his left fin is starting to rot it
looks like. Not like Ich but just deteriorating. I have only had this tank set
up for a week and the day after I got the tank set up I had baby swordtails. My
fish went through a lot of stress separating the babies from the tank so that is
probably the cause of this. What could be wrong with him? Ich? Fin rot? Maybe
just a fight with another fish? :(
I love my fish so much and I don't want to loose any! :) PLEASE help me?!?!
Thanks so much! >
<Likely the tail curling is nothing (this is what these puffers do) but pectoral
fin is trouble... and likely due to being in a strictly freshwater environment
(this species is actually more marine) and a too-limited diet... I would add
"some" salt (a teaspoon per gallon ultimately... a teaspoon per day until you
reach this amount... if you have no plants... or other livestock... the swords
are fine... that are salt intolerant. And do look into other frozen,
freeze-dried foods like Tubifex, mysids, krill, bloodworms... for your puffer.
These two changes will reverse the current trend.
Bob Fenner>
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