Acclimating Figure 8 Puffers to Brackish from FW Conditions

Hi all!

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. I was hoping I could get some insight on proper acclimation of F8s to their ideal brackish setup. While I'm not at all a new fishkeeper, brackish is unexplored territory for me. I set up a 55 gallon 3 months ago and allowed it to cycle via fishless (with an ammonia source) until I watched the levels balance back out. I cycled it with a low amount of salt, gradually increasing it to 1.006 by the time it was done cycling.

I have my heart set on the Figure 8s. I've been researching them heavily for over a year and have been breeding bladder snails as food for them in a separate 5 gal tank. I've been recommended GSPs time and time again, but the idea of having to raise the SG to full marine by adulthood is a bit daunting to me. With that said, every F8 I find online or in stores are kept in freshwater conditions. I set up this brackish knowing its what's best for them, but have no idea how to properly acclimate them from FW to my brackish.

With that said, would it be ideal for me to just drain the brackish water and refill with fresh? Or, can I lower the SG to say 1.002-1.003 and acclimate them via drip method while they're in the bag? I just want them to be successful and to thrive but I fear shocking them going from FW to low salinity. I will be keeping 3 F8s, and possibly 1 or 2 Knight Goby down the road. What is the absolute best way to do this? Also, is deworming them upon arrival in my best interest? I purchased Seachem's MetroPlex to potentially soak bloodworms in, as I've found that many puffers are prone to internal parasites.

Thank you SO much! I attached a photo of said brackish tank.

 

I would drip acclimate them over 8 hours or so to the desired SG when you get them instead of doing any other way.

For med treatment my recommendation is to put them in a smaller quarantine tank (It looks like your 55 doesn't have anything in it, but the reason is to save you $$ on meds). Granted you could treat them in the bigger tank, its more of a cost thing imo if no other fish are with it.

 

Thank you! I used General Cure in the past for full tank medicating with zero luck (for parasites, which it was supposedly supposed to cure). What is your recommendation for deworming them in the 55?

 

I've used paraguard and prazipro. Lots of people recommend levamisole I believe.

A similar thread just recently on this too might be helpful for you.

How do I start a brackish tank? | Brackish Tank Forum | 479412

 

You're awesome, thanks so much.