Green spotted puffer fish question acting sick (feeder fish in tank)

A little bit of background: ive had my gsp for about a month now. I did a fair amount of research prior to purchasing and think I got the hang of it. My gsp is a little over 2 inches and I have slowly converted him to brackish. The tank is a 1.010 and I plan to get it to high end brackish of 1.020... I went on vacation for a week and couldnt leave him that long without food. ( I know fish "can" go over a week but I was worried) so before I left I put 2 snails and about 8 feeder guppy fish. They are the small clear type for 10 cents each. When I put them in my gsp quickly ate 3 of them and when I went on vacation and came back 5 were still in the tank (I thought he would have caught them over a few day span but did not) when I came home his whole body was black and he seemed very weak! And it looks like he has ich ( ick) white bubble spots all over him. I'm not sure what is going on. I fed him krill and he is eating. Also added more marine salt and the temp is at 77-80. My question is:

1) why did he get ick, what should I do?
2) are the feeder guppys ok to leave in the tank until he can finanlly catch them?
3) how long do guppy feeder fish live in brackish? Are they toxic to my puffer , are they bad for the water quality (10 gal tank - I plan to upgrade in a few months)

thanks so much

 

What are your water parameters (pH, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates)?

Feeder fish aren't generally recommended. They can bring in many diseases. I'd remove the feeder fish and take them back to the store.

You should upgrade your tank size as soon as possible. Always stock for the tank you have, not the tank you plan to get in the future.

 

I took the water to get tested yesturday and they said it was "all good" I really should have asked the numbers and I need to buy my own kit. Thanks for the advice so far

I was really hoping the puffer would eat the guppys as ive heard its good for hunting and nutrition ... And now they are just swimming around

 

I took the water to get tested yesturday and they said it was "all good" I really should have asked the numbers and I need to buy my own kit. Thanks for the advice so far

I was really hoping the puffer would eat the guppys as ive heard its good for hunting and nutrition ... And now they are just swimming around

I would avoid guppies from now on. There are lots of healthier and safer options! Bloodworms, blackworms, krill, shrimp (brine, mysis, etc.), and of course lots of snails!

We recommend the API Freshwater Master kit. Let us know what the exact numbers are when you test them!

 

Thanks!! I will

do puffers usually survive ich? He seems to be hangingout by the heater a lot and I added a little extra salt. I'm just really worried - he has also gotten stuck in the filter a few times yesturday which is so unusal for him. I keep getting him out and he seems fine right after but keeps going back

 

Thanks!! I will

do puffers usually survive ich? He seems to be hangingout by the heater a lot and I added a little extra salt. I'm just really worried - he has also gotten stuck in the filter a few times yesturday which is so unusal for him. I keep getting him out and he seems fine right after but keeps going back

He might be weak and getting pulled into the filter. Can you put a sponge over the intake so he doesn't get pulled in a much? I'm not sure if the ich would be considered the freshwater or the marine variety, so I'm not much help there.

 

No worries, he unfortuntely died today (

 

I'm sorry for your loss.