HELP on burrfish

[evanz287]

Ok folks. I was wondering if someone on the Puffer Forums could help me with a Burrfish. After doing a fair amount of reading, I've come to realize that trying to keep one will be an uphill battle for quite a while. I'm looking for tips on the process of de-worming and acclimating my Burrfish for maximum success.

I currently have a 150 gallon tank just waiting to house one. It is fully cycled and has been running for over three months.

What I have come to understand, the Quarantine process should take a lot longer than normal fish. During this period, I was planning on using Prazi Pro in order to treat parasites. The QT tank will be a 20 gallon.

If anyone could chime in on detailed, specific tips, i'd appreciate it greatly! Currently, I just plan on following the instructions on the Prazi Pro bottle and repeating it every week or so. I figured that'd be a good start.

Oh, and I haven't picked up the fish yet. I want to be sure on the procedure before I get my hands dirty

Thanks in advance!

-Evan

[evanz287]

Picture of my tank for your time and don't worry. I will be moving the fish out to my 55.

[Pufferpunk]

Nice tank! Like the caves. He nay need more of an open concept for swimming room though.

Go ahead & treat the water but also soak all his food in the meds for about 5 days.

[evanz287]

Thank you for the quick response and thank you for the compliment!

I did figure that my tanks rock work would need re thinking. I will for sure be moving the rocks in order to make more open water.

As for treatment, I will also take your advice and soak food.

Regarding the time it would take to quarantine, I followed another post (that was about 3 pages long). Supposedly someone "saved" a burrfish and qt in a 20, ultimately moving it to a 75. From what I understand, this process took roughly 4-5 months? Would that be adequate time for the Puffer to be in QT?

[evanz287]

So checking the forums again, I found the post

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9461&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

After further inspection, it seems to me that the QT time was a lot longer :-\ Should i follow the timeline in this thread?

If people think it is advisable, I have no problem QT for this long. Just would like peoples input so I can prep myself for the long haul

[bertie 83]

If it will be just him in the large tank on his own you can put him straight in there, use it as a qt aswell as his forever home

[evanz287]

I considered that. But having him in the QT would give me some time to make the moves for my current fish. And I would save a lot of meds. Do you think these advantages are worth keeping him in a 20 gallon?

Also, what is the temperament like for this fish? I've read that they are a little more shy compared to porcs but not as much as dog face? Are they hit and miss like porcs and GSP? Would I be able to keep some hardy, sturdy fish with him?

[Pufferpunk]

You could just feed him medicated food. No reason to waste meds dosing the entire tank for IPs.

[evanz287]

Well, I've read that another challenge is getting them to eat. I figure that'd I'd treat the tank so that the meds would start working before I manage to get him/her to eat. I already have a big selection of food in store in attempts to ween.

My question about temperament in my previous post is consuming a lot of my thought anyone have the insight to chime in on that?

[bertie 83]

Temperament really does vary, no one can tell you for sure. Make sure you have some fresh garlic on hand to soak his food with. Also get a good garlic supplement

[shaker]

im following your post

[evanz287]

Sorry for not posting in a while. The vendor I am going through is having difficulty obtaining the fish.

On the other hand, I am currently fully stocked on all things needed to get through the QT process. So I guess it's a good thing.

I've also moved the rocks around to accommodate for the burrfish. I'll try to get a picture up in a timely manner.

[evanz287]

QUICK UPDATE

I finally got a hold of the Burrfish. It currently is in the 20 gallon QT tank.

As expected, it isn't taking to anything I offer it. But it has only been in the QT for maybe an hour so far.

Its belly is sunken in. I'm worried but the burrfish isn't nearly as bad as the ones I normally see in my lfs.

I plan to treat with PraziPro, Metro Plus, and pure Levamisole HCL. I have all the meds and I also have Seachem Focus for soaking.

I hope everything goes well... Been prepping a long time for this!

[Pufferpunk]

Good luck!

[puffykid]

He may not be ready to eat for a few days as he settles in, just give him time I usually wait till he begs to give the first meal.