Fahaka Puffer Sick. Advice please.

[Pufferpunk]

Cute fellow! What substrate is that?
Have you offered him the worms without the med?

[12345]

Thanks PP! He is very cute and he had some character.

I have yet to give him any worms without meds yet.

After giving him to small pieces of shrimps dusted with Prazi. He seems to be a little more active the following day.

Today, I gave him to small feedings with shrimp soaked in Vitachem Vitamin supplement.

He was more active in eating and took the 2 small pieces. I hope he continues to improve.

[Pufferpunk]

You must feed ONLY medicated foods for at least 5 days, once you get him eating well. 1 or 2 feedings will not completely eradicate all the IPs. IF that's what he's got... Still haven't checked his teeth?

[12345]

I will try to continue to feed him medicated food. It just seemed like he wasn't interested in the medicated food.

Is it possible for sick puffers to regurgitate their food when they are sick.

This morning I noticed he was swimming around the tank and when I turned on the light he sat at the front of the tank and was breathing slightly heavily. I took a few pics of him so you can see if his teeth are okay.

[Pufferpunk]

Yes, teeth look fine, thanks. When soaking foods in the med, add garlic to the mix to enhance flavor (I know--sounds weird but it works).

[12345]

Thanks for all your advice PP!

Was wondering, with his decrease in appetite, and eating much less and always sit at the bottom of the tank and breath slightly heavy (especially after taking few bites of food). I have seen him vacuum food down like no other before and now, he can't even finish 1/8 of a medium shrimp.

Are these true indications of possible IP? Or could it be a bacterial issue?

Thanks!!

[Pufferpunk]

Is there any chance he could be constipated? maybe the heater malfunction messed with his metabolism & ability to digest properly. Try adding 1 tbsp Epsom salt/10g to his tank.

[12345]

I am hoping that is the case.

Is it likely for puffers to seemingly hyperventilate with small amounts of food if they are constipated?

He used to eat a chunk and you can see a healthy bulge of food once he is down eating. But now he takes a few bites and lays on his belly breathing heavy with no bulge or at all.

I just want to treat him if its something else sooner than later. I will put some Epsom salt in there and see how he does.

Thanks PP!!

[Pufferpunk]

See, that's what makes me think he might have a blockage.

[12345]

Thanks PP!

So I added the recommended dosage of Epsom salt to the tank. How long do it usually take effect for puffers?

I will continue to feed him shrimp dusted in Prazi.

[Pufferpunk]

Should poop within 24 hours, I'd think.

[bertie 83]

i second adding garlic to his food. After a year you should expect him to be around a foot long. If parasites are the issue I would guess he has had them for some time to a degree. Maybe try feeding snails/ ghost shrimp medicated food if he refuses it and give him them

[12345]

So as an update, he has not imprived too much, did all that was suggested. He seems to be more active but appears to have issues sucking/inhaling small food like blood worms. He would pick at it and appears to have problems sucking them into his mouth.

He is not interested in shrimps and I noticed he passed a small lump of yellow poop the other day.

He is swimming up and diwn the tank but not eating much.

Notice small red dots on skin of underside and rear belly fin. Nit sure what to do any more

[Pufferpunk]

Have you tested the water lately? Also, when you do a WC, are you stirring all that sand in there?

[Pufferpunk]

How's he doing?