Green Leopard Puffer

[LeslieAW]

My husband and I just brought home two Green Leopard Puffers. One is doing great, but the other is refusing to eat. We're feeding them exactly what they were eating at the pet store--frozen brine shrimp. They're both less than two inches, so our aquarium is not full brackish or salt water.

The picky fish is swimming normally and has a white belly most of the time. He does change to a very light gray around the back and between the white and the spots once in a while. There is a funny looking spot on his side--it almost looks like a popped blister. Could this be a parasite? I can't find any in-depth information about this kind of fish, nor can I find any pictures that show this kind of deformity.

Does anyone know what's going on with this fish? Or where I can go to get more information?

 

[gthiele]

You mean a green spotted puffer?, Usually when I introduce a new fish they don't eat the first day. Best thing is to tell the place you got the puffer exactly how its acting and its condition. Can you post pics? Also they really like snails so try feeding them that.

 

[LeslieAW]

I'm going to try to get pics of his 'spot'. We brought them home last night, he hasn't eaten at all since then.

I guess Leopards are a version of the green spotted puffer.

Is anyone positive of how often we should feed him? Some people say twice a day, others says once, and others say every other day.

 

[js97]

A picture would be great. Puffers are regularly named incorrectly.

I would say brine shrimp would be more of a 'treat' then regular food.
Try Frozen blood worms, common pond snails are always a safe staple/bet. (you can breed your own with a rubbermaid container and a small filter.

a pic would greatly help identify them.

www.**************.com is also a great resource.

If they require 'brackish', you should probably start them off now.

At two inches, you can feed them everyday and miss one day every week.

judge by their bellies, I always think that's a good gauge. Once we identify the species, a more complete diet can be suggested. But snails will always be a safe staple for freshwater/brackish puffers.

 

[LeslieAW]

Ok, they're not the best pictures, but you can see the deformity on him. I have no idea what it could be. Any ideas?

 

[groovitudedude]

That is a green spotted puffer, not a fw fish.

http://www.**************.com/forum/ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Brackish/T_Nigroviridis/

 

[LeslieAW]

We know what kind of fish he is. We just don't know what the deformity is, and why he's not eating.

I did make a mistake earlier, my husband did set up the tank for brackish.

 

[groovitudedude]

We know what kind of fish he is. We just don't know what the deformity is, and why he's not eating.

I did make a mistake earlier, my husband did set up the tank for brackish.

Sorry, misread. I would post a thread on the puffer forum and/or add better pictures if possible for diagnosis.

 

[LeslieAW]

I plan to post on a few forums. These little guys are a bit camera shy, to say the least. Hard to get one to sit still. I just wanted to make sure this wasn't a parasite coiled up in the skin. Are there any tell-tale signs that would indicate if he was carrying one?
I know the move from the aquarium store to the tank was a stressful one, just trying to make sure he is ok. We didn't notice the strange bump on him until we got him home.
Also...what are good levels to have as far as NO3, NO2, PH, KH and GH levels in this brackish tank. This is our first brackish tank. I have seen a few people have different ideas on this and just want a bit of advice on what you all are keeping your tanks at. This is a 30gal aquarium by the way.

 

[LeslieAW]

He is swimming around and is quite active and playful, by the way.
Doesn't show any signs of being sick other than the not eating and funny lump.
The lump looks like it has coils in it, if that helps any and is back on the left side near the back lower fin.