Spotted Puffer?

[pistilli]

Hi, I just got back from the fish store where my wife saw a tank with 1"-2" "spotted puffers" that she loved, and of course any time she sees a fish she likes I want to get it because that means more fish for me Don't worry though, I didn't impulse-buy anyone, I wanted to go home and figure out everything I would need. I don't know too much about puffers except that they're pretty aggressive, need hard/crunchy food, and live in anything from salt to fresh water.

Unfortunately my background search has run into a dead end since everywhere I look I find vastly conflicting information. Some websites say there are 3 species commonly called spotted puffers, others say there are specifically NOT 3, there are only two and one of them is so rare you never see it. Some web sites say they're purely freshwater, others say they appreciate a LITTLE salt but not really brackish, others say brackish and eventually fully marine once they're full-grown. I've seen some people claiming the tank should be heavily planted (plastic or real), while others say just rockwork and caves.

The information I've found that seems to be agreed upon is that they don't really want any tankmates other than more spotted puffers, and that they appreciate occasional snails/crabs/shrimp. They'll also get to about 6", so I was planning on possibly having two of them in a 55-gallon tank. Other than this though, can anyone tell me what to do? Even just for the setup I'd like to use crushed coral if they really are fully brackish, but obviously not otherwise. Thanks!

-Max

 

[sumthin fishy]

Id call, or go back to the store and find out the scientific name of the fish if you can. Just to make sure.

Is this it?
T.Nigroviridis
That link is pretty accurate. While it says it should go full marine at adulthood, you really shouldn't go full marine for a while if they are only 1-2" right now.

 

[Pufferpunk]

I think it is fantastic that you have decided to do research on this fish, before purchasing it!

Here is the article I wrote, that has been published at WetWebMedia, Tropical Fish Hobbiest & soon Practical Fish Mag:
http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/library.php?p=27

Look around that forum. Best pufferinfo in the world there. More long-term pufferkeepeers in one place than you'll find anywhere else!

 

[m1ndy721]

poor puffer

My little puffer doesnt seem to be eating ! He leaves all of his food wich eventually gets sucked up in the filter. Any ideas on how to get him too eat? :help:

 

[Pufferpunk]

I have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help (if we can!!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.

1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrates.
This is by far the most important information you can provide!!!! Oh and test them before you even post! Don't assume, and don't try to remember what it was last week and post that. Oh and answering this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok" etc tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.

2) Feeding and water change schedule?

3) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so.
Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.

4) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it?

We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.

 

[fballguy]

Also, what are you feeding it? Puffers can be very picky about what they eat. It is also very important to tell us what kind of puffer you have. If you don't know can you post some pics or give us a description?

 

[Pufferpunk]

It's a good idea to turn off filter during feeding.

 

[m1ndy721]

none

1)unfortunatly my lfs does not sell testing kits so I have to take in my water to get it tested. I am very sorry but that information will be delayed until I can get back to the fish store.

2)I feed him every morning around 7:30 his tank is rather new so I have not cleaned it yet.

3) I have not made any changes so far but am thinking of adding some more plants and a natural rock. cycling: I put plants and a lot of rocks and hiding places

4)The aquarium has been set up for about five days

to answer your question I had been feeding it brine shrimp since Petco had been out of stock on bloodworms. I recieved the bloodworms today and plan on feeding it to him (Im not really sure if it is a him or not) tommarow

 

[Pufferpunk]

Aha, so the tank is not cycled. That is why your fish is not eating--it is being poisoned by it's own wastes. Read up on cycling a tank. In the meantime, I'd do an 80% water change right now & tomorrow, get Bio-Spira (you may have to hunt it down) & add it to your filter. Puffers are very sensitive to these wastes & can die quickly, from an uncycled tank. Get yourself a test kit. you can order one from: www.bigalsonline.com.

 

[fballguy]

1)unfortunatly my lfs does not sell testing kits so I have to take in my water to get it tested. I am very sorry but that information will be delayed until I can get back to the fish store.

2)I feed him every morning around 7:30 his tank is rather new so I have not cleaned it yet.

3) I have not made any changes so far but am thinking of adding some more plants and a natural rock. cycling: I put plants and a lot of rocks and hiding places

4)The aquarium has been set up for about five days

to answer your question I had been feeding it brine shrimp since Petco had been out of stock on bloodworms. I recieved the bloodworms today and plan on feeding it to him (Im not really sure if it is a him or not) tommarow

Yes definetly read up on cycling. Puffers are very sensitive to ammonia and nitrites so definetly get some bio-spira or start doing water changes probably 2x a day.

How big is your tank, and do you know what kind of puffer you have? If you don't know please describe it so we can help you out better.