The Puffer Forum

When I got the pack of Bio-Spira from the fish store, it was stored in their countertop fridge. I anticipated that it was going to be warm, so I packed an insulated lunch bag with a dry ice pack inside. We actually went straight home and then the pack of Bio Spira went straight back into the fridge....

Thank you. I've been adding ammonia to the tank to hopefully have it complete the cycle. After doing more reading around, I'm not even sure if I would want to put another F8 into this 10 gallon tank, since they require a minimum of 15 - 20 gallons per fish. It's my fault though...since F8s are prett...

The poor thing didn't make it. :( Here are a couple of postmortem photos. I'm puzzled by the light skin discoloration that's on the side. It is like that one both sides and the same pattern. Has anyone ever seen anything like this? http://static.flickr.com/94/251211061_b8fb49ccf7.jpg http://static.f...

3 airstone/wands have been running since the tank was set up. I'm considering "force feeding" him, but don't know if I would only make matters worse. Just now...I noticed a patch of top layer of skin is missing on one side and a small section at the other side. I can still see the pattern ...

Just got back from the store and I added the Pimafix to the water. He definitely looks week and it looks like his eyes are starting to get cloudy.

Thanks again. I really do care about fish...and when they die under my care, I feel like I have failed them. This is my 4th attempt at puffers. Last year, I got some dwarf puffers from Petsmart that died within a week. I do think they had parasites. Then I decided to try out F8's. I got one a couple...

Thank you. I just dosed with the Melafix. I had added teaspoon of marine mix with the water changes I've done before. I've only done a total of 2 tsp since I bought him home on Monday. But with all the water changes I've been doing, I'm sure a lot of that is gone. I have 3 airstone/wands in there th...

I have Melafix only. I'm going to head out to the store and get some Pimafix as well. Do they need to be dosed together? Or can I add the Melafix first...then the Pima fix when I return?

I just tried feeding him some frozen bloodworms soaked in the Garlic Guard. As of now, he has no interest in food. He's back floating in the corner again and I don't know what to do. It looks like he has some type of skin irritation. There are 2 fuzzy stringlike things hanging from his stomach area,...

Thanks guys, for all your answers. Puffers seem so much more difficult, that I was starting to lose hope. I really don't want to lose this little guy. I gave the tank another 50% about 30 minutes ago and just retested the water. Ammonia and Nitrites are both at 0. I don't know if it's my imagination...

Thank you, Phaedrus, for answering all these questions so quick. Looks like I'll be doing another 50% on top of what I did to turn it into a true 75% change. I will be reading the links more in depth. As far as timing...how long should I give the puffer a chance to eat before ruling out stress? As f...

Thank you for the link. It is good to know. So as far as giving it another water change, should I do another 50% or 75% at this point, since doing a 25% on top of the 50% I just did won't be the same? Once I get the readings under control, how should I handle his food since he won't eat the Garlic G...

I just did another test. Ammonia and Nitrites are both at .10ppm. Would adding more Prime mess with the cycling? The packet of Bio-Spira I got was for a 90 gallon dose, as that was the size that the store only had. I ended up using only half the package, sealing it back up and placing it back in the...

I'm sorry. It was a typo. Nitrites are actually .25 ppm...not 2.25ppm.

I am a bit concerned about my puffer. I woke up this morning and did another water test. Ammonia was at .25 ppm, nitrite at .25ppm, and nitrates at 5ppm. I added some Prime and also gave a 50% water change just now. He is looking really skinny that his stomach is starting to concave. I tried soaking...