Ammonia Test / Substrate Question

Did you cycle the new tank?
What's the salinity? I would take it to 1.012 (marine salt)
Ph? When you get the new substrate should go to 8+
Temp? 80 ish
Are they eating/rounded bellies?
It's probably just them getting used to the new environment. They are really inquisitive and will explore the whole thing, I wouldn't worry too much at this point. They don't like change but will get used to it in time. They have plenty of places to hide. When mine are taking a rest, they some times lay on the bottom or in a plant and their colors change. Keep the water quality great, feed them well, water changes, limit the light for a few days till they settle in (you might even try just a tble light next to the tank, enough ight for them to explore but not overpowering)
 
As per Spoke, I took the established filter from the 20-gallon they were living in and have it running on the 55-gallon along with the Penguin Bio-Wheel filter rated for a 55-gallon. I have another 55-gallon filter that will replace the 30-gallon filter once I've let the established filter run for about 2-3 weeks. With both 55-gallon filters running, the entire tank should turn at a rate of 10x per hour (sufficient?).

Salinity at the moment is approximately 1.008. I had them in 1.006 in the 20-gallon, but I will increase it slowly by .002 with each water change - until I reach your suggestion of 1.012. Using Instant Ocean Marine Salt.

pH without the substrate is 7.8 - I will DEFINITELY get the substrate (as soon as my monetary issues are cleared up after purchasing the 55-gallon). How much would you suggest to purchase with a 55-gallon? 30lbs? 40 lbs?

Temperature is at a steady 80F.

They are eating like little piggies as they should. I feed them freeze dried brine shrimp, pre-soaked krill (I like the fact they're still a bit crunchy and they LOVE it), snails, etc. I feed them a little pea maybe once a week to keep their digestive system free flowing. The smaller of the two (~1.5" from beak to tail) has a very rounded belly. The bigger of the two (~2" from beak to tail) is somewhat flatter - I attached a photo of the two for comparison (the front-most puffer is the smaller, the one behind the front is the bigger).

I did what you suggested - turning off the lights. The room lights are sufficient enough for them to see their surroundings. WOW! As soon as the lights went off, they came RIGHT out from their little hiding spot. Still cruising the glass, but at least they're not hiding - which, IMO, is a good sign! I thank you for such a great suggestion and will keep the lights off for a few days and see how they fare. Such moody little guys!

DSC_00160.JPG
 
Now that we're on the topic of "light". Is there a specific kind of light that these puffers would fare well with? I'm using the lights that came with the tank (fluorescent) - almost a purple hue to them.
 
They look really nice. I personally would not presoak the krill, leave it hard and crunchy, mine love it and tear into it like there is no tomorrow. Also, the brine shrimp are really not providing any dietary needs, so I wouldn't feed those. I buy raw frozen scallops, and shrimp and clams or mussels. I cut pieces off the shrimp leaving the shell on so they have to pick through it, leave the clam/oyster/mussel on the shell and drop it in, cut the scallop in half and drop that in... they love that stuff and it is varied and good for them, really mimics what they would be eating in the wild, along with snails.
 
As far as light goes, I believe and people may correct me if i am wrong, that a single standard shop light from home depot is more than suffecient as long as you have no live plants. Remember their natural habitats..mangroves lots of shade hiding places and so on and so forth, sometimes murky water... not a lot of light is necessary for them as they would not have it in the wild...too much light = hiding...
 
Well, here's my updates so far:

I've taken your advice pertaining to the light situation.
Right now, I keep one half of the tank's light on and the other is off. I figure it's a good way for them to hide if they want, and go explore in the light if they choose.

However, I've noticed that both of these guys have one gill operating at a time. Sometimes they will "cough" and the other will open up and the previous will shut. I looked inside of their gills with a flashlight and which ever gill is operating at the time, it's extremely pink and inflamed. Breathing rapidly from which ever one they're using. Bacterial? No parasites that I can see. I'm taking a wild guess and venturing that the move into the new tank put the stress level up and now they're fighting?

Any ideas?
 
BTW: the bigger of the puffers is eating fine, the smaller is on day two of not eating. I've tried anything and everything - even soaking a piece of krill in a thing of garlic and still nothing.......

*pout*
 
I would start a new post on this one! Try to get pufferpunk to respond to you she is the one that knows the most about puffers and treating. I do not know much about medicating them. Sorry, I cant help you with this one...
 
Heh - thought I'd give it a try. Thank you for all of your help and time! =)
 
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