Hey...I am definately a newbie when it comes to fish, and I know I have made some BIG mistakes. Now I just have to figure out how to fix them.
I bought a 75 gallon aquarium. My wife is in love with puffer fish, so we got one . Of all the horror stories I have heard from buying a fish at wal-mart, I bought it there. I believe it is a spotted puffer (still trying to figure out what species it actually is). After hearing these fish were aggressive, I visited countless fish stores and have been given some advise, but some is opposite of others. Let me tell you what I have done, then hopefully I can correct and move on.
I have added aquarium salt (was told to stay away from marine salt), and have up to 2/3 of what pkg says to - 10/15 tables spoons so far, 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons. I already have live plants. Threw in a couple of mini barbs, but they were way too agressive towards the puffer. So I replaced them with a clown loach and a couple tetras, and a dwarf goroumis. So far the puffer loves the tankmates, with NO signs of aggression. He is actually out more swimming around. I added some smaller snails, which both the puffer and loach really engoy.
Where do i go from here???? I know I screwed up by not cycling the tank first (just found that out). My brain is really starting to hurt thinking about this. Would walmart actually sell a brackish fish, or do I have the freshwater puffer? He is about 2 inches long at the most, and I do know puffers atart off in fresh water, so now I am even more confused. I will try and add some links so that you can see the puffer and help me identify.
Thanks for any help you can!!!!!!
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l295/msheaffer02/Puff6.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l295/msheaffer02/Puff3.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l295/msheaffer02/Puff2.jpg
I bought a 75 gallon aquarium. My wife is in love with puffer fish, so we got one . Of all the horror stories I have heard from buying a fish at wal-mart, I bought it there. I believe it is a spotted puffer (still trying to figure out what species it actually is). After hearing these fish were aggressive, I visited countless fish stores and have been given some advise, but some is opposite of others. Let me tell you what I have done, then hopefully I can correct and move on.
I have added aquarium salt (was told to stay away from marine salt), and have up to 2/3 of what pkg says to - 10/15 tables spoons so far, 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons. I already have live plants. Threw in a couple of mini barbs, but they were way too agressive towards the puffer. So I replaced them with a clown loach and a couple tetras, and a dwarf goroumis. So far the puffer loves the tankmates, with NO signs of aggression. He is actually out more swimming around. I added some smaller snails, which both the puffer and loach really engoy.
Where do i go from here???? I know I screwed up by not cycling the tank first (just found that out). My brain is really starting to hurt thinking about this. Would walmart actually sell a brackish fish, or do I have the freshwater puffer? He is about 2 inches long at the most, and I do know puffers atart off in fresh water, so now I am even more confused. I will try and add some links so that you can see the puffer and help me identify.
Thanks for any help you can!!!!!!
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l295/msheaffer02/Puff6.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l295/msheaffer02/Puff3.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l295/msheaffer02/Puff2.jpg