Is there something wrong with my green spotted puffer fish?

Question

Otto, my green spotted puffer, swims all over his tank. I heard they usually stay near the bottom and middle but he sits up near the top too,sometimes. Also, he will hit his beak up against the side of the tank and I'm not sure if it's because he sees his reflection and thinks it is another puffer or what. Right now I dont know the pH level in his tank or anything like alkaline level. All I know is I put instant salt stuff in his bowl [that has a filter] so he is in Brackish water. Also, his stomache is almost never all white. I hear white means he is stress free. It usually has alot of black or grey but is white near his head and his tale. I also feed him dried krill and blood worms but I'm not sure if he has eaten any yet. What do you think is wrong with him? Do you think its the water conditions or maybe seeing his relection or a combination? please help I'm really worried.

Answer 1

What size tank is he in? How big is he? How long have you had him? Do you have a filter (one reason to come near the top of the tank is if he's not getting good enough water circulation)? Does he only do this when you're near the tank, or all the time (puffers are clever little fish - if he sees you nearby, he might be begging for food [which you probably feed him from the top of the tank])?

He might be picking at the glass because of his reflection, but maybe because it's just hard - do you give him snails or shell-on shrimp so he can trim his beak? Or have a small seashell or two (turned edge-up) to pick at?

You need to get a water testing kit that can work in salt water. Get tests for pH, ammonia, and nitrate at least. You also need a hydrometer so you know how much salt is in the water. Green-spotteds like high-end brackish (lots of salt) up to full-strength marine salinity (which they will need as an adult). He sounds very stressed, so I would start with the water quality and salinity.

Here's info on the water specifics they need:

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

http://www.pufferlist.com/puffer/brackpuff.php?puffid=15

Answer 2

What size is this bowl you have it in? What is the specific gravity of the salt? How old is the puffer?