What should I do with Green Spotted Puffer?

So I ordered some pea puffers from a fish store. They say they can get them, but instead they give me a green spotted puffer. So I’m pretty bummed because I know I can’t take care of this fish and I’m liking it more and more. I offered it to a friend of mine who has lots of tanks and stuff. He said he would have to think about it. What if he says no? What should I do?

 

What do they need that you can’t do? That really stinks they messed up your order.

 

I'd just set up an entirely new brackish tank for him (I'm pretty sure it's brackish?). You might be wary of this idea, MTS and all that. But if you have will power as strong as me, you will cave in and keep him. I realise I'm probably being more destructive than helpful, so I guess you could always just give him back and get what you asked for.

 

What do they need that you can’t do? That really stinks they messed up your order.

I couple things. I don’t have a tank for it(he is currently in the 15 gallon I had set up for the pea puffers. And salt freaks me out.

I'd just set up an entirely new brackish tank for him (I'm pretty sure it's brackish?). You might be wary of this idea, MTS and all that. But if you have will power as strong as me, you will cave in and keep him. I realise I'm probably being more destructive than helpful, so I guess you could always just give him back and get what you asked for.

I can’t really set up a new tank cause I’m broke lol. And I can’t really take it back because the place that ordered it is kind of far away. I was thinking of making my 57g brackish and getting a couple more puffers, but my mom doesn’t want me to put my angel and gourami in the pond. So that’s out

 

I can’t really set up a new tank cause I’m broke lol. And I can’t really take it back because the place that ordered it is kind of far away. I was thinking of making my 57g brackish and getting a couple more puffers, but my mom doesn’t want me to put my angel and gourami in the pond. So that’s out

I know the feeling! Well if you're stuck with it, is the brackish thing the whole reason you're having doubts. They do do better in brackish water, though seriouslyfish says that they can live in freshwater. I haven't kept them so I don't know how they get on and such, but generally that site has been reliable for me.

"Although it’s often considered a true freshwater species, it tends to be more long-lived with the addition of marine salt to a sg of around 1.005 in aquaria. It can also be maintained in freshwater, however."

 

I know the feeling! Well if you're stuck with it, is the brackish thing the whole reason you're having doubts. They do do better in brackish water, though seriouslyfish says that they can live in freshwater.

"Although it’s often considered a true freshwater species, it tends to be more long-lived with the addition of marine salt to a sg of around 1.005 in aquaria. It can also be maintained in freshwater, however."

That sounds promising! Maybe he'll be ok after all? How big do they get? Will a 15 gallon be too small?

 

I know the feeling! Well if you're stuck with it, is the brackish thing the whole reason you're having doubts. They do do better in brackish water, though seriouslyfish says that they can live in freshwater. I haven't kept them so I don't know how they get on and such, but generally that site has been reliable for me.

"Although it’s often considered a true freshwater species, it tends to be more long-lived with the addition of marine salt to a sg of around 1.005 in aquaria. It can also be maintained in freshwater, however."

Thanks! The bigger problem I have is the tank he’s in is too small, every where I look says at least 30 gallons. So that’s a bigger problem for me, I could probably figure out brackishness though

 

That sounds promising! Maybe he'll be ok after all? How big do they get? Will a 15 gallon be too small?

Everything I’ve seen says 6” and need 30g

 

Maybe just keep him in the 15 gallon while he's still small, and then save up your money for a bigger tank. He's a nice looking fish.

 

That sounds promising! Maybe he'll be ok after all? How big do they get? Will a 15 gallon be too small?

Just realised they can get to 6 inches.

Everything I’ve seen says 6” and need 30g

Is there a shop closer that could take him? How big is he now? You could keep him there for the time being and come up with a plan. You have time I think? At least he doesn't look too big yet

 

Would your friend be willing to house him for you ( once he outgrows the 15 ) and you can help with the maint. and supplies needed so the both of you can watch him thrive?

 

Just realised they can get to 6 inches.

Is there a shop closer that could take him? How big is he now? You could keep him there for the time being and come up with a plan. You have time I think? At least he doesn't look too big yet

Stores back here don’t really take things back, and the ones that do only take back what they sold. I’m really enjoying him, he is soo amazing. I even named him why am I getting attached?!??

Would your friend be willing to house him for you ( once he outgrows the 15 ) and you can help with the maint. and supplies needed so the both of you can watch him thrive?

My friend says if he does take it he’ll put it in a 40 gallon alone. My friend also keeps some salt water tanks so he has salt. I’ve never been to his house, I really want to check it out cause he says he has tons of tanks, the smallest of which is 50g

 

Wow, you should definitely check his place out! Wonder what kinds of fish he keeps if his smallest tank is a 50g.

What'd you end up naming him? I think you're stuck with him for the long haul now lol.

 

Well you've just gone and done it. No take backs. Once he has a name you're stuck with him. Really if you like him that much I'd find some way to keep him. Either keep him in the 15 till you find another solution, or give him to your friend till you can take him back. Puffers are just fantastic fish - so easy to get attached to. I'd have a congo spotted puffer by now if I could just find some way of getting one.

 

Wow, you should definitely check his place out! Wonder what kinds of fish he keeps if his smallest tank is a 50g.

What'd you end up naming him? I think you're stuck with him for the long haul now lol.

He keeps, discuss, rainbows, stuff like that and in his 50 I think he has a betta and yellow neocardina shrimp. I’m trying to get myself invite over there lol.

 

Wow, you should definitely check his place out! Wonder what kinds of fish he keeps if his smallest tank is a 50g.

What'd you end up naming him? I think you're stuck with him for the long haul now lol.

I named him Puffy(super creative right?)

Well you've just gone and done it. No take backs. Once he has a name you're stuck with him. Really if you like him that much I'd find some way to keep him. Either keep him in the 15 till you find another solution, or give him to your friend till you can take him back. Puffers are just fantastic fish - so easy to get attached to. I'd have a congo spotted puffer by now if I could just find some way of getting one.

The more I look at him the more I want to keep him. Lol

 

I named him Puffy(super creative right?)

Lol do you have a dog named Spot and a cat named Fluffy too?

 

Lol do you have a dog named Spot and a cat named Fluffy too?

Nope, dogs name is lulu, cats name is fluffy how did you know?

 

cats name is fluffy how did you know?

Get outta town! Is it really?? LOL

 

Get outta town! Is it really?? LOL

Yup, he’s grey and white

 

Why did you accept it to begin LOL. If they messed up my order I wouldn’t accept something different

 

It wasn’t me, it was my mom who accepted it. She felt bad that they went through the trouble of ordering something that was wrong so she bought it. I thought I would just buy some patties, say sorry I couldn’t take the puffers and leave but she felt bad for the puffers and the store people and bought one. So I guess it’s hers lol

 

Wait, if I do end up keeping it, how much does marine salt cost?

 

So yesterday he ate a worm and some shrimp. But today he’s just been acting sluggish and lethargic. He’s been sitting in that same spot for a couple hours without moving what’s wrong?

 

I see a sunken stomach. Internal parasites maybe? I’d do a water change. Not sure on the price in mexico for salt, check out the price in your LFS.

 

I see a sunken stomach. Internal parasites maybe? I’d do a water change. Not sure on the price in mexico for salt, check out the price in your LFS.

Ok, I did a 3 gallon water change, I’m going to another one

 

Does he need to be dewormed?

 

Possibly, I picked him up the day after the store got it in so I’m guessing they didn’t qt it

Does he need to be dewormed?

 

Update: he’s doing great! He’s eating like a hog, he even ate a whole shrimp pellet. I know processed food isn’t good for him but is it bad for him?

 

Oh, here some pictures

 

Great news! I’m glad he is doing well for you.

 

Ok, my friend is going to take him and my rainbow shark and he’ll bring me a school of cardinal tetras

 

Ok, my friend is going to take him and my rainbow shark and he’ll bring me a school of cardinal tetras

Tell him you’ll bring the puffers to him. That way you can see his tanks.

 

Tell him you’ll bring the puffers to him. That way you can see his tanks.

Lol ok