Green Spotted Puffer troubles!
Water parameters are as follows:
2 GSPs (~1.5" and ~2" beak to tail)
55-Gallon Tank
Ammonia/Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: 5ppm
pH: 7.8 (going out to buy aragonite substrate once I have my monetary issues straightened out after purchasing the 55-gallon and stand - would you suggest aragonite or anything other than that?)
Specific Gravity: 1.008 (slowly increasing to approximately 1.012 over the next few water changes)
Temperature: 80F
On Cycling: Running an established 30-gallon filter along with a Penguin Bio-Wheel Filter rated for 55-gallon. Will switch out the 30-gallon filter for another 55-gallon filter once it's been running for at least 2-3 weeks.
Lighting: I have one side of the tank's light on, and the other side's off, as to introduce them to a new environment that provided "shade".
Longevity: Had these two little guys for about a little over a month now. Spent about 2 1/2 weeks in a 20-gallon for the time being that I purchased the 55-gallon. Moved them into the 55-gallon and they've been in there for a little over a week.
The Solicitude: I've mentioned in a previous post regarding the breathing out of one gill thing. Well, now it seems as if they BOTH have acquired the habit of breathing from one gill, occasionally "coughing" and switching gills to breathe from. The bigger of the two puffers is still eating like a little piggy as he should, the smaller of the two is on day two without eating. They're pretty lethargic, yet still swimming around the tank. They really do hang out together, no one is bullying anyone - as they are the only two inhabitants. No stress lines. Bellies are a pure white. Eyes are clear. The bigger puffer's belly is rounded (probably from eating) and the smaller is getting rather skinny. They still both have the "fluorescent" patches on their heads. However, I was asked to take a flashlight and look into their gills. I found this: rather pink, inflamed gills with rapid breathing. No visible parasites. First thing that came to mind is gill flukes, no? I wanted to post my opinion and gather others' as to not go out and medicate them when it could be something else. I'm absolutely sure that the move is what caused their stress levels to rocket - what can I do to remedy this situation?
Still cruising the glass. I've got TONS of hiding places for them......and I really don't think I could decorate this tank any more than I have.
How could they still be bored?
Water parameters are as follows:
2 GSPs (~1.5" and ~2" beak to tail)
55-Gallon Tank
Ammonia/Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: 5ppm
pH: 7.8 (going out to buy aragonite substrate once I have my monetary issues straightened out after purchasing the 55-gallon and stand - would you suggest aragonite or anything other than that?)
Specific Gravity: 1.008 (slowly increasing to approximately 1.012 over the next few water changes)
Temperature: 80F
On Cycling: Running an established 30-gallon filter along with a Penguin Bio-Wheel Filter rated for 55-gallon. Will switch out the 30-gallon filter for another 55-gallon filter once it's been running for at least 2-3 weeks.
Lighting: I have one side of the tank's light on, and the other side's off, as to introduce them to a new environment that provided "shade".
Longevity: Had these two little guys for about a little over a month now. Spent about 2 1/2 weeks in a 20-gallon for the time being that I purchased the 55-gallon. Moved them into the 55-gallon and they've been in there for a little over a week.
The Solicitude: I've mentioned in a previous post regarding the breathing out of one gill thing. Well, now it seems as if they BOTH have acquired the habit of breathing from one gill, occasionally "coughing" and switching gills to breathe from. The bigger of the two puffers is still eating like a little piggy as he should, the smaller of the two is on day two without eating. They're pretty lethargic, yet still swimming around the tank. They really do hang out together, no one is bullying anyone - as they are the only two inhabitants. No stress lines. Bellies are a pure white. Eyes are clear. The bigger puffer's belly is rounded (probably from eating) and the smaller is getting rather skinny. They still both have the "fluorescent" patches on their heads. However, I was asked to take a flashlight and look into their gills. I found this: rather pink, inflamed gills with rapid breathing. No visible parasites. First thing that came to mind is gill flukes, no? I wanted to post my opinion and gather others' as to not go out and medicate them when it could be something else. I'm absolutely sure that the move is what caused their stress levels to rocket - what can I do to remedy this situation?
Still cruising the glass. I've got TONS of hiding places for them......and I really don't think I could decorate this tank any more than I have.
How could they still be bored?
