riley01

I have had 2 green spotted puffers for approximately two years, within the last two weeks I had one that just quit eating. I saw that his his tail fin has some nips out of it, and he has just been lying on the bottom alot, but still swimming some too. He would still come around at feeding time but wouldn't take anything, so I decided to seperate the two thinking he was just stressed. Didn't help any, still not eating. Keep in mind I bought these gps's at Walmart, little did they tell me that they needed anything but the freeze dried shrimp in the can. So that's all that I have been giving them, did not know that they needed other things to keep the teeth worn down. So I checked him out today, his teeth are huge! While the other doesn't seem to have any... I just don't know what to do, I can't find anything in this small town usa that they are supposed to have, no snails, no ghost shrimp, no nothing. I don't even know if this is what he needs at this time. I have seen articles where you should clip their teeth? I can't imagine doing surgery on this fish. His belly does seem a bit dark. I hate to sit and watch him die and not attempt to try to save him. If anyone can give me some helpful advise for this fish I would appreciate it. I will be testing the water tomorrow, I have never even done that before, I just change it alot. And so much conflicting information about the brackish water, which is what I have, but I see that most people say they should have marine salt Thanks in small town usa

peacemaker92

Hi riley and WELCOME TO FISHLORE!

So sorry to hear about your puffer. I don't really know much about puffers neither have I had any before. But I hope the more experienced members who know more can come quickly and help. It would also help if you could get your water parameters as soon as you can. Hang in there.

Best of luck!

Lucy

Hi Welcome to FishLore
I moved your thread. I wasn't too sure if it should go into the Brackish section of the forum or Puffer forum. Since they're brackish, that's where it put it. lol It should get more attention from the members who know about this type of Fish.

I don't know much about them, however, I'm pretty sure they should be fed snails to help keep their beaks trim.
Here's our General Guide to Puffer Care

Good luck, I hope he feels better soon.

aquarist48

Hello Riley and Welcome to Fish Lore! We have a member, Pinkfloydpuffer, hopefully you'll get a response for her as well. Lots of experience with Puffers. A great link that Lucy posted for you.
Here is a link to a previous thread on Puffers you may find interesting and helpful:
Green Puffers?
Best of luck.
Ken

riley01

Thanks everyone for all your help, he is still hanging in there, but it doesn't look good. I'm still trying to find all the things I need, still couldn't find pond snails locally, but I did find them on ebay, I never dreamed I would find them there, but they will be here tomorrow, and also have ordered some ghost shrimp and they will be here Thursday. I'm still researching the clipping of the teeth thing, I think that will be our only option, I think that's the whole problem, he just can't eat with those big chompers. Thanks again for all the help.

peacemaker92

That sounds like great news. Hope everything turns out ok. Keep us posted.