Fahaka with strange faeces!

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Since this board has been up, we have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help right away (if we can!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.

1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.

2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.

3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)

4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.

5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.

We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.

While you wait for assistance:
One of the easiest and best ways to help your fish feel better is clean water! If you are already on a regular water change schedule (50% weekly is recommended) a good step to making your fish more comfortable while waiting for diagnosis/suggestions is to do a large water change immediately. Feel free to repeat daily or as often as you can, clean water is always a good thing! Use of Amquel or Prime as a dechlor may help with any ammonia or nitrite issues, and is highly recommended.

Note - if you do not normally do large water changes, doing a sudden, large water change could shock your fish by suddenly changing their established water chemistry. Clean water is still your first goal, so in this case, do several smaller (10%) water changes over the next day or two before starting any large ones.
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Fedgar
Puffer Fry
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Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2015 6:56 pm
Location (country): United Kingdom

Fahaka with strange faeces!

Post by Fedgar »

Hi, I'm hoping someone can help. I have a 9cm fahaka which I have had for around 4 months with no previous problems, although I have many years of experience with animals, particularly exotics, this is my first experience with puffer fish and am hoping for some advice :)
I have recently moved puffy into his new tank (approx 2 weeks ago) and within the last few days have noticed some strange faeces in his tank: his faecal 'pellets' seem to have a white opaque mucousy film around them. Has anyone ever seen puffers creating faeces with the mucousy membrane as described? Not all his poos seem to have this film; he has just had one that looked more like undigested bloodworm (which doesn't seem quite right either).
After some research, I'm concerned that that cause of this may be hexamita and was therefore considering treating with metronidazole. Would anyone be able to give me advice on using this treatment with pufferfish please, is it advisable and what is the best course of action?
Although I have used this drug with success in other animals in the past, as I mentioned, this is my first experience with caring for a puffer. Thank you in advance :)

Tank Parameters:
pH 7.2
Ammonia 0
Nitrate 20
Nitrite 0
Tank size 106 litres 30"x12"x18" (he will be upgraded to a bigger tank as he grows)
Inhabitants: 1x Fahaka
Recent changes: fahaka was moved into his new tank approx 2 weeks ago
The tank has been set up for 3 weeks running on a mature Eheim 2217 filter which has been running on another tank for 2 years
Water changes: 45-60 litres per week in 3-4 installments
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Pufferpunk
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Re: Fahaka with strange faeces!

Post by Pufferpunk »

[welcome]
It wouldn't hurt to treat for IPs. It's very possible your puffer has been fighting off the parasites all along but the stress of the move, was just enough to tip his immune system off.
library/hospital/internal-parasites-pre ... treatment/
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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Fedgar
Puffer Fry
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2015 6:56 pm
Location (country): United Kingdom

Re: Fahaka with strange faeces!

Post by Fedgar »

Thanks very much, I just wanted to be sure that treatment was the best course of action, and there was no risk involved :)
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bertie 83
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Re: Fahaka with strange faeces!

Post by bertie 83 »

They will often gulp food down so fast and unchewed it can come out a similar colour, but as pp said it's always best to treat as a precaution. Just to add I would put him straight into his forever home now, these guys grow fast and are easily stunted. Expect him to be a foot long within the next six months if his growth rate is correct. Welcome to the forum
It's amazing how easy maintenance is. If done regularly and thoroughly
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Fedgar
Puffer Fry
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2015 6:56 pm
Location (country): United Kingdom

Re: Fahaka with strange faeces!

Post by Fedgar »

Great stuff, thanks very much for the advice guys, I will get him treated ASAP, as you say even if it is just a precautionary measure, I just want to do right by the little guy (including upgrading his tank ;) ) thanks again!
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