Green Spotted Puffers

[McCool]

Puffers have always been a favorite of mine, and after buying a 55 Gallon today I knew I had to have some. But I also have a few questions that I just cant find definite answers for. Im going to have 2 filters on my tank, each designed for a 60 Gallon. So filtration will not be a problem. I plan on using sand, filling it with artifical plants and putting in some rock and maybe some driftwood.

Can GSP's live together? If so, How many can go into my tank?

I know nothing really mixes well with puffers, But I was wondering if there were any type of bottom dwellers that could live with them? The petstore told me that a Dragon fish would be fine, but I just want to double check.

Okay, So I know this is a 99% No already, but I have to ask. How would a Blue Crayfish mix with GSP's? Im already sure this is a no, but I am trying to be hopeful, since I have always wanted one.

How often should I toss in a few snails? Once a month? Twice a month? Once a week?

I cant gurantee that more questions wont pop up, but I would be grateful for any help or advice for my new tank!

 

[McCool]

Also, If I end up with a male and female, will they breed uncontrollably and overrun my tank with babies?

 

[minnnt]

Here you go mate.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/138472-puffer-central/page__pid__1155839#entry1155839


Have a look there for more info.

 

[McCool]

Thank you! I don't know how I missed that!

 

[minnnt]

No problem mate. I think ps3steveo used to keep them, maybe drop him a pm and ask his advice? Alternatively, either wait for a reply from neale monks or pm him. His user name is nmonks



Have fun...

 

[myenigmaself]

If you haven't already, check out The GSP Page.

I only have one, so I can't specifically speak to stocking numbers from experience, but I can recount what I've read.

GSP will vary in their adult size (I've seen videos of 6"+, where mine and most of the others I've seen have maxed out at about 3"). I have mine living with 5 figure 8 puffers in a 55G tank without any aggression problems for almost two years now. I've kept mine with Orange Chromides (Green might work too, although I think they're a bit bigger). I've also kept mine with Bumblebee Gobies, although I started with 13 gobies and I'm now down to 3. Not sure if that was due to old age or predation, but they all seem to get along fine.

These guys are often referred to as the pit-bulls of the puffer world, and mine, even though he's the same size as the figure 8s, definitely rules the tank. He's not terribly aggressive, but nobody messes with him and they give him some space. Most people recommend a species only tank, and only one specimen per tank, but I think there's some wiggle room on that.

Regarding a blue crayfish, don't do that. They're both aggressive and you'll end up with one of them (or maybe both) dead. I don't think a dragonfish would be a good tankmate either, as they're rather sedentary from what I recall, and might get nipped up quite a bit. I have heard of them being paired up, but I think it's playing with fire.

Feed them snails (not Malaysian trumpet) as often as possible, as well as other hard foods. There's special puffer foods you can buy that supposedly wear down their teeth, but I've had limited success getting my puffers to eat it. Tooth overgrowth is a real problem with GSPs.

And lastly, breeding. No, you won't be over-run with babies. I only know of one case of confirmed tank-breeding, and it was done essentially via artificial insemination. All the fish you find in the stores are wild caught to my knowledge.

Good luck!

 

[myenigmaself]

I should also note that there are other puffer options, such as figure 8 puffers, that are much less aggressive but have personalities almost comparable to those of the GSP. I've found both to be very hearty and entertaining.

 

[dragonlocks]

First off I apologize, I'm not very computer literate, nor do I know how to start a new thread here.
I really need help.

I've had a pair of green spotted puffers for over a year now, no problems
Today I look in their tank and one of them looks deflated or crushed.
I haven't checked levels yet, but I can't see the nitrite levels being high, as I do a full water change once a month and I only have the two puffers and a molly in a 30 gallon tank.

The other puffer and the molly are fine, but the one looks like someone grabbed him by the mid section and squeezed until their fingers touched.

I'm doing a tank change now, anyone know what the hell is wrong with him...

PLEASE NEED HELP?

 

[myenigmaself]

First off I apologize, I'm not very computer literate, nor do I know how to start a new thread here.
I really need help.

I've had a pair of green spotted puffers for over a year now, no problems
Today I look in their tank and one of them looks deflated or crushed.
I haven't checked levels yet, but I can't see the nitrite levels being high, as I do a full water change once a month and I only have the two puffers and a molly in a 30 gallon tank.

The other puffer and the molly are fine, but the one looks like someone grabbed him by the mid section and squeezed until their fingers touched.

I'm doing a tank change now, anyone know what the hell is wrong with him...

PLEASE NEED HELP?

Are you sure this was over-night or was this a gradual thing? Has he been having trouble eating now/before this? How are his teeth looking?

Aside from the suddenness of it the symptoms sound like emaciation/starvation. This is often caused by overgrown teeth that need to be trimmed.

 

[dragonlocks]

He has been eating fine. I don't know how long his teeth are suppose to be, but they are visible. I pretty sure it was sudden onset, but I can't be 100% sure, I'm a firefighter, and have been working a lot of overnight shifts lately, my wife has been feeding them. I know she has been feeding them, because when I come home the tank light is off, which she always does after feeding them, and I turn it on when I get home in the morning. Weather or not they have been eating when she feeds them is a total different story, but after feeding them tonight; he ate both blood worms and brine shrimp. Standby, I'm going to post a pic of him.

 

[dragonlocks]

Battery in the camera was dead, the one in my cell sucks, so I shot a quick video and am uploading it to youtube now. Right around the 50 second to 1 minute mark he comes into focus pretty good. Forgive the crappy vid it's from my webcam, and please don't mind the kids screaming in the background, it's bedtime.

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ-mld6HzkU&feature=youtu.be

the video is uploading now, so this link should be ready shortly. It's sitting at 16% completed now.

 

[fi_sjo]

It looks like it's getting bullied by the molly.

 

[dragonlocks]

he is. the molly has done it before the puffer was sick though. he dosn't really chew on him, but he follows him around with his mouth to the puffer's belly and generally just pisses him off.

anyone any idea what's wrong with the puffer? anyone seen anything like this before? I'm not a fish guru, but I have had fish before these, and have never seen anything like this. and no matter how i try to describe it in the google search engine, it isn't turning any results.

 

[Livewire88]

he is. the molly has done it before the puffer was sick though. he dosn't really chew on him, but he follows him around with his mouth to the puffer's belly and generally just pisses him off.

anyone any idea what's wrong with the puffer? anyone seen anything like this before? I'm not a fish guru, but I have had fish before these, and have never seen anything like this. and no matter how i try to describe it in the google search engine, it isn't turning any results.

Do you have a spare tank to get the Molly away from the Puffer or can you section part of the tank off so the molly does not chase the poor Puffer around? Or you could use a breeding net to put the Molly in?

If the puffer is sick the constant harassment from the Molly will only make things worse, sorry I dont have a clue what the issue could be with his squashed body

 

[dragonlocks]

O.K. I do have a spare tank, but I have it for convenience of water changes. I guess I can give the Molly to the local Mom & Pop fish store in the neighborhood. My wife bought a pair of breeders at one point and he is the only survivors of the babies. I didn't really want him in the tank when I first bought the puffers anyways. Maybe I'll replace him with a small Koi. If anyone has any idea what these symptoms please, please, give me a head's up, I've never seen anything like this before.