How to care for greenspotted puffers. Everything you need to know about GSP fish.
Like 4 Dislike 0 Published on 24 Jan 2019
Easy to understand information and instructions on how to care fore green spotted puffer fish.
If you have any questions or comments, email me at iammasteraquatics@yahoo.com
Care information on green spotted puffer fish.
Max size - 6 inches
Temp ranges - 75 to 80 degrees f
Temperament- semi aggressive
Tank requirement - 30 gallon for one, 55 gallons for multiple GSP
Diet- meaty diet. Bloodworms, krill, shrimp, clams, crayfish, small crabs, snails
Water parameters
Brackish/Saltwater
pH: 7.5-8.5
Specify Gravity Range: 1.004 - 1.022
1.005 for brackish, 1.021 for full saltwater
Weekly water changes to keep water clean
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Short summary of the video GSP= Green spotted puffers.
GSP fish are a brackish/saltwater fish. They are not freshwater fish.
As juveniles, these fish require brackish water. Brackish means a little marine saltwater is needed to keep these fish healthy. Brackish water requires 1.005 salinity of salt.
As these fish get older they will need to be in full saltwater. Which requires 1.021 salinity of salt.
Some will start the fish at brackish water and then gradually increase the salt in the aquarium with every water change to eventually make it full saltwater. This can take months.
Me personally, I bought my GSP as freshwater and when I brought them home, I acclimated them to full saltwater. I used the drip method to acclimate them which can take hours but worth it.
If you want to learn how to drip acclimate freshwater fish to saltwater, Check out this video here! Click the link! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUqHc8hMIkw
After that I put them in a 40 gallon saltwater tank with a salinity level of 1.021
These puffers will require a good brand of salt. The salt is needed for every water change. Salt is pricey but needed to ensure good health and happiness of your puffers.
I use the instant ocean brand and it has worked for my puffers. You can order the salt through Amazon by clicking on this link here! https://amzn.to/2FHIxtH
You will also need a tool on measuring the salt in the water to get the right salinity level for the GSP.
Remember, 1.005 for brackish and 1.021 for full saltwater. The tool you will need is called a refractometer. You can order this through Amazon here by clicking
the link! https://amzn.to/2WmhVU6
You can learn more on how to use the refractometer here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLZuFyTK2bU
Before Acclimating them, I did treat them for infections and parasites for 2 days in a small freshwater 20 gallon tank. Most of them are wild caught so they might have
parasites and diseases. They can live in freshwater as babies for a very short time.
I put them in a small 20 gallon tank that was freshwater for 2 days while medicating them. I used 2 medications that treated both external and internal infections and parasites.
The two medications I used are called melafix and pimafix.
Melafix is the medication that treats internal issues of the fish and is also used as a preventive medicine when bringing in new fish. You can
buy that medication here through Amazon by clicking on the link! https://amzn.to/2TeJMni
Pimafix is what I used in case there was any fungal issues with the fish. You can order that medication through Amazon by clicking the link here!
https://amzn.to/2T9vunR
If your Puffer has white spots all over it, then it has ick and needs to be treated right away. I suggest using this medication right here! Click the link!
https://amzn.to/2S4hAGa
GSP require warm water so a good heater is needed. I recommend using the aqueon heater brands as they are the most reliable in my experience.
You can order the heater here through Amazon, just click the link! https://amzn.to/2FWiqhR
GSP are very messy eaters and require daily water changes and pristine water conditions. Because of this, you will need very good filtration.
I use the aquaclear hang on the back filters as shown in the video. I use these filters for all of my tanks. You can order this filter here through
Amazon, just click the link! https://amzn.to/2SakSrG
Depending on your location, The PH levels in your tap water might not be suitable for your green spotted puffers. Because of this, you might need
to add crushed coral to the substrate of your aquarium. This will increase the PH levels in your tank. I do not personally use this and my puffers
are fine, but then again the tap water in my area has always been good for my fish as far as ph goes.
Green spotted puffers are a species only tank. Adding them with other fish might not be a good idea. Every puffer is different, but there has been
reports of aquarists having issues with putting them in with other fish. Keep this in mind.
If you are wanting a full freshwater puffer fish but do not know where to start, check out this website here! https://www.aquariadise.com/freshwater-puffer-fish-5-true-freshwater-puffers/