Care tips for Green Spotted Puffers

I’m planning on getting a Green Spotted Puffer here shortly and I would like to here from some aquarist who have kept or know about this fish. I understand this fish needs crunchy food such as krill, clams, and mussels as well as a salinity of 1.010. Does anyone have any tips or info on how to care for this puffer long term?

 

Here's a link to a detailed article on GSP's here on the forum.
Green Spotted Puffer Fish Care - Size, Lifespan, TankMates, Breeding

If you decide to keep one I wish you the best of luck - they're not an easy fish to keep.

 

Here's a link to a detailed article on GSP's here on the forum.
Green Spotted Puffer Fish Care - Size, Lifespan, TankMates, Breeding

If you decide to keep one I wish you the best of luck - they're not an easy fish to keep.

Thank you so much for the link, I totally forgot to search the forums before hand!

 

I've never had GSPs, but I have a spotted congo puffer (similar size/shape to GSPs) and pea puffers. So I can give you info about puffers in general and what I know about GSPs.

It's not that puffers are hard to keep, they are just more like a dog than a fish. You can't just sprinkle some flakes in the tank and call it done.

All puffers are carnivores and requires meaty foods. They also need snails as part of their diet to chomp on to keep their teeth trimmed. Clams work, but my spotted congo puffer never took to clams so I have to give her snails for her chomping. She also eats a lot of the shrimp in my tank so that helps too. They love frozen bloodworms, mysis shrimp, and brine shrimp, but they still need crunchy food for their teeth.

Almost all puffers excluding spotted congos, MBUs, and sharpnose puffers will probably be aggressive. Some individuals may be friendly and be able to live with tank mates, but most won't. They get aggressive and territorial after a short time in the tank. Because of this, my pea puffers have their own tank.

As you mentioned, GSPs need brackish to marine water. Some people keep them in brackish, some in full marine. You'll have to research that more because I don't have experience with the exact SG they need. Long term, they can only be in freshwater as juveniles though. And acclimate them super slowly to the final SG you want. Check the store's SG as well so you can match that when you get them home.

Keep the water pristine and be careful about medicating them. Scaleless fish are sensitive to poor water parameters and medicine.

Keep them entertained. Interact with them, give them a heavily decorated tank, and make sure their tank is plenty big. Puffers and large species of wrasse are probably smartest and most endearing fish in the world so they really deserve an entertaining home with a lot of people interaction.

Good luck! Send me a message if you have any questions.

 

Thank you so much for the link, I totally forgot to search the forums before hand!

I forgot to say WELCOME TO THE FORUM!
It's a really good article if you're considering a GSP.
I've had a couple and can tell you, as the article says, they need a lot of attention & special care. If I wasn't running 6 tanks I'd consider another.
Most people fall in love with them at first sight and a lot are returned when they find out what their needs are.
I must say that losing one is very hard to get over... I hope you never experience that.

 

I forgot to say WELCOME TO THE FORUM!
It's a really good article if you're considering a GSP.
I've had a couple and can tell you, as the article says, they need a lot of attention & special care. If I wasn't running 6 tanks I'd consider another.
Most people fall in love with them at first sight and a lot are returned when they find out what their needs are.
I must say that losing one is very hard to get over... I hope you never experience that.

I understand feeding and salinity, is there anything else you have experienced? Maybe medication or foods they just won’t eat? Last question, have you ever gotten bit? I’ve heard a mbu can take off a finger and I’m curious if they have the same power?

 

I understand feeding and salinity, is there anything else you have experienced? Maybe medication or foods they just won’t eat? Last question, have you ever gotten bit? I’ve heard a mbu can take off a finger and I’m curious if they have the same power?

MBUs could absolutely bite through your finger, but they won't.

I hand feed blood worms to my spotted congo puffer and pea puffers, and pet my spotted congo. The only time I could ever see someone getting bit is if you are hand feeding them a small piece of food like a small snail and they accidentally miss. You'll realize after having them for a few days that they're the sweetest fish out there and want to interact with you, not hurt you.

 

MBUs could absolutely bite through your finger, but they won't.

I hand feed blood worms to my spotted congo puffer and pea puffers, and pet my spotted congo. The only time I could ever see someone getting bit is if you are hand feeding them a small piece of food like a small snail and they accidentally miss. You'll realize after having them for a few days that they're the sweetest fish out there and want to interact with you, not hurt you.

Awesome! Thank you guys so much for the help!