Puffer Wont Move

[loveforfhishies]

just got a spotted puffer today.. first experince with brackish water and i heard 2 teaspoons for ever 1.4 gallons.. i have put 25 teaspoons of salt into my 20 gallon.. i know the right amount would be more around 45ish but i tasted the water and it tasted more salty then the water the puffer came in his bag.. i slowy adjusted him to my water by adding my tank water ot his bag.. when i turned him loose he went to a corner and just layed there.. he moves every once in a while to a new spot but hes mostly just sittin around..


you think i have to much salt or not enough?

temp is 80

ph is 8.0

nitrate is 15

cant tell ya what the measurements on my salt are since i just bought a hydrometer and it needs to be calculated for 24 hours before use..

 

[Lynden]

No worries. My Puffer layed around for more than a day after I got him; he was of course heavily infested with numerous diseases and recovering from a chomp to the eye from my Niger Trigger. I bought him as an attempt to "save him" from a pet store that kept him in fresh water. He began eating and moving around happily some days later, and was well on his way to a full recovery when he met his untimely death from a filter intake, at which point I removed the filter. Untimely death.

Have you put "aquarium salt" (which is NaCl, or table salt, except without the iodine) into the tank, or true marine salt? Aquarium salt is not enough to make the aquarium suitable for brackish or marine species.

-Lynden

 

[Puffdaddy]

WoW - you tasted the water, that can't be good.

First off congrats on your new puffer. Awesome choice. I have 2 adults in a 30gl tank myself.

Here are some pointers and questions that should help you. PH is fine (7.6-8.2) and so is your temp (72-82*F), nitrate within range (less than 30 ppm). My first question, has your tank been cycled yet? If not you should help that along as soon as possible. Puffers are very sensitive to ammonia and nitrite. Both should remain 0, though you well have bumps now and again, "water changes, water changes, water changes" that's the key.

Now your salinity issue. I'm a little confused about your hydrometer "calculate 24hrs" must be a classy one. You should also get one that gives you an instant reading, for example a floating one. That type of hydrometer is cheap, quick and perfect for use in a 5gl bucket you can use for water changes. However your salinity level well likely end up being just fine.

My personal beliefs are this:
very young*= 1.000-1.002 *meaning after birth + shipping
young*= 1.002-1.006 *day you brought home -3 months
adolescent 1*= 1.006-1.010 *3-6 months
adolescent 2*= 1.010-1.014 *6 months-1 year
adolescent 3*= 1.014-1.018 *1-2 years
adult*= 1.018-full marine *2 years +

I also strongly believe in fluctuating the salinity within the settings to imitate the wild. Now these are just my personal beliefs based on years of experience. These are in no way "the rules". And yes you need marine salt such as Instant Ocean.

More misalanious tips:
*must feed snails to them to keep teeth trimmed
*puffers are carnivores so feed them meaty foods frozen and/or live
*vacuum substrate during every water change
*move decor around during every water change to imitate wild (puffers are also very curious and like to buzz around
searching new scenery)
*puffers do like to lay around on the substrate especially when no one is in the room to watch them
*do not make them puff up
*very aggressive fish well not tolerate very many tank mates I recommend keeping it in a species tank
*If your going to keep more than one, get them now so they can grow together
*puffer also change colors don't worry it's normal, although a white belly is a happy fish
*if tail is curled tightly to side it's stressed and or scared
*although prolonged dark belly, curled tail and sitting on the bottom indicates that something is wrong (water? or illness?)

If you have any other questions just ask.