Can Anyone Help My Gsp?

[leviethan]

i have 2 gsp's in a 15 gallon tank ukg. been slowly making the water salted, heard they liked it better. one of my guys is lively and bold, and his colours are amazing. however the littler one is a bit darker, and although every now and then they have grey bellies (toward their tales only) my little guy will go from white to grey tale really quickly. Thought it might be water so did a change, water is not cloudy and does not smell bad. they both have those bright spots on thier heads, i was told this was a key to mood?? so what i'm asking is it normal for bellies to go grey for a while, and the green back darken? as some sites say "yes, this is normal" and others say, "no, not ever should they change" which is it please?? so confused.

 

[divegirl]

Hi, I have three GSP's and have to say I have never seen their bellies dark.
In my opinion and I really am no expert your tank is way too small and is not allowing for territories. How big are they and what is the sg [salt level] in your tank? You need a tank that is at least 50 usg with lots of places for then to hide and play in. What are you feeding them and is the smaller one getting food?
Mine are in a 55 usg and are only about 2'' each [my biggest being nearly 3'' but the soft lad of the group]. Like a say I rarely [as in only once] see aggression from them and I make sure that at feeding time the food covers the whole tank to make sure they all get some, even if I put a mussel in though they don't fight over it. I really am thinking your problem may be all down to tank size.

Lisa x

 

[leviethan]

yeah they both eat, they share food fairly well. They get blood worm, muscles and snails. No idea how to work out salt content levels. And right now its not possible to move them. They were in a 27l tank less than a week ago. This morning woke up and they have lovely white bellies. But have been changing back and forth for weeks. Heard from some people that they do it by thier own will, others say different. Not sure what to believe. Lol.

 

[divegirl]

Hi, you need to get your self a hydrometer or refractometer to work out your sg[specific gravity]. GSP'S are not to fussy on their salt but should be around 0.012 and can and should reach full marine for the best life expectancy.
Yes they will lose colour at will but there will be a reason for it. Are you in the UK? I have a hydrometer [the cheaper of the two options....lol] that I can send you. Its not as accurate as a refractometer but will do the job....pm me.

Lisa x

ps....I think I got the names the right way round....lol....refractometer..... hydrometer ......

 

[leviethan]

hi, yeah am in uk, and that sounds great will message you. have an inkling why the drastic drop in behaviour. am such an idiot. simply assumed the heater was working ok, but no. heaters been blasting at 30 instead of 25. ahhh! so got one that works, (i hope) assumption is the mother of all screw ups. they got whiteish bellies now and are dancing against the glass as i speak. aww. i feel so rotten.

 

[seffieuk]

ps....I think I got the names the right way round....lol....refractometer..... hydrometer ......

you have indeed

What are your plans for these two lovely puffers?

 

[leviethan]

Well,... am hoping to move to a bigger place in the near/hopefully-not-too-distant future. get a huge tank set up and put them with another species they can co-exist with. they're ok for now in the 60l, after reading all this stuff i'm really angry at my lfs for saying 2 in a 27l tank was ok, and then trying to encourage me to get 2 more, (for the 27l tank) definatley dont want to take them back to the store, they're so cute. when i wake up on a morning they're sleeping by the glass, and when i get up they get up too and dance and silent sing at me while i'm getting ready for work. love them to bits. only had them a month

 

[divegirl]

Good for you for wanting to do the right thing for them! My tank sits at around 80 degrees and they seem happy with that so don't panic too much there. They really are the most personable little fish, one of mine is in love with me and misses out on food as he's too busy following me when the food goes in, by the time he notices the others have scoffed the lot!

As for a bigger tank, I know that space can be an issue but keep your eye out on Ebay you'd be amazed what you can pick up cheap and local!

In case you were asking after my Puffs Steffie, I don't know if you remember but I bought a Boyu 550 a while back and was going to venture into Marine that way but I didn't really have the time for it so sold it on! I hope to take these boys up to full marine levels eventually in the 55 usg....won't leave much space for other fish but will get some corals going in there with them!

Lisa x

I've just rescaped my tank so will get some pics up later.

 

[leviethan]

Good for you for wanting to do the right thing for them! My tank sits at around 80 degrees and they seem happy with that so don't panic too much there. They really are the most personable little fish, one of mine is in love with me and misses out on food as he's too busy following me when the food goes in, by the time he notices the others have scoffed the lot!

As for a bigger tank, I know that space can be an issue but keep your eye out on Ebay you'd be amazed what you can pick up cheap and local!

In case you were asking after my Puffs Steffie, I don't know if you remember but I bought a Boyu 550 a while back and was going to venture into Marine that way but I didn't really have the time for it so sold it on! I hope to take these boys up to full marine levels eventually in the 55 usg....won't leave much space for other fish but will get some corals going in there with them!

Lisa x

I've just rescaped my tank so will get some pics up later.

hi will you let me know when your pics are up, would love to see your tank