Petsmart.....

[SilverDollar_03]

I went there a couple of times, and saw a "dwarf puffer" tank. Thinking they were the coolest fish ever, I wanted to get some. So I researched and found out they were freshwater fish. Then I remembered how they said at petsmart that they put salt in the tanks. I looked at them again the next day, and thought to myself that they looked more like GSP's than DP's. Could Petsmart have put salt in with Dwarf Puffers, or do you think they are really GSP's that they said were DP's. This sucks, because I really wanted DP's (easier to care for in freshwater), and now im not even sure which they are.

 

[musichead707]

ya they are dwarf puffers, my friend bought like 10 and put them in with his discus, they are still alive and well.

 

[SilverDollar_03]

hmmm...ok. i would be scared they wouldnt be able to adjust to the salinity change. any other opinions?

 

[GP]

PetsMart only has Dwarfs, a Green Spotted Puffer is one in my sig..

 

[cometcattle]

Funny you should post this.

I was at PetSmart yesterday and I also thought their dwarfs looked like GSPs also.

 

[StingrayKid]

ya they are dwarf puffers, my friend bought like 10 and put them in with his discus, they are still alive and well.

I'm not sure if that was the best idea. DP's can and will bite the fins of other species if they are hungry. But, they could be scared of the Discus or something...

 

[FishDan]

You say that PetSmart said they "put salt in the tanks". You neglect to mention how much salt. Many aquariasts put small amounts of salt in their freshwater tanks. This is often done as a preventative measure, as salt kills some bacteria. This small amount of salt does not significantly alter the salinity of the water, so there is little need to worry about this. If you do not actually know how much salt PetSmart is adding, ask them. There is a significant difference between "adding some salt" to the tanks and "salt water/brackish water" tanks.

\Dan

 

[SilverDollar_03]

they just had a little plastic cup filled with salt in the tank. the thing is, i think they thought that dwarf puffers live in salt water, because that was the only tank with salt in it.

 

[jennstrange]

Funny thing is I just bought DP's from Petsmart today... i was pretty worried about them looking like GSPs too. i got tired of waiting for my dps' to arrive at PJ's... so I just bought them from Petsmart today! Never again will I go to Petsmart tho... their service sucks... plus their selection of fishes aren't that great. I tried my best to not pick the DP's with the nipped fins. They all looked in beat up shapes.

Is it normal for them to be swimming around the tank so often It's like they're trying to find a way out.

 

[Earthgirl]

Hey, awesome question!
My figure 8 is doing the same thing until the night rolls around when he seems to "curl up" (as much as a fish can) and seems to relax or take a nap!

 

[fishdudein]

I think those little cups of salt are standard operating procedure at PetsMart, I have seen them in several if not most of their tanks at one time or another.

 

[SilverDollar_03]

ok, because they were in a tank with the kissing gouramis, and i know they arent saltwater. so i guess i wont worry anymore. ill get them when the time comes.

 

[fishguyeric]

I woudn't if I were you. Petsmart (although better than Petco, in my opinion), does not seem to know much about fish and treats them badly, 10 tinfoil barbs all at least 4-5" in one of those little tanks. I do not think hobbyists should support them. Ask at your local store that is not a chain, I find better service and healthier fish there.

 

[BichirKeeper]

It definetly varies from store to store, thats for sure. The Petsmart I go to has an excellent 10 man fish department. The tanks are clean, the water is perfect, and I have yet to see a dead fish in the three years they've been in business.

However, outside of Fort Wayne, I don't see too many Petsmart stores that take care of their fish as well as our store. But then again, they weren't horrible or anything. Still I agree with Eric, independent stores are the places to go if you want quality fish. Still, Petsmart is good for general supplies, feeders, and the occasional plant.

But really, if your Petsmart is lacking in a certain department, then tell them that. Perhaps the manager will listen to you, or he wont, but it's better than sitting around muttering about crappy service.

 

[FrankSlapperinni]

I was aware that there are two types of dwarf puffers, the regular dwarf puffer scientific name Carinotetraodon travancoricus, and the pea puffer, scientific name Carinotetraodon imitator. Maybe your puffer's are one of those?