Fahaka Puffer--quite sick.
Forum rules
Read this before posting!!
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.
Read this before posting!!
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.
Fahaka Puffer--quite sick.
First post...hello...
My fahaka puffer has been sick for about 1 1/2 months.
He is getting scrawnier by the week, while he used to be a gluttonous pig, constantly begging for food every moment. Initially I saw him scratching against the gravel, and had some visible scarring from doing so. Also very cloudy eyes. I moved him into his own 65 gallon tank, and treated it with melafix for 1 1/2 weeks. During that time he pretty much stayed buried, and came out to swim only a few times.
After the melafix didn't seem to work, I thought it could have been some sort of parasitic infection, so I treated the tank with some stuff called Prazi Pro. After a couple days of that, he seemed more active, and even ate once during this time. After two weeks, he started hiding again, and not looking good at all. To top it off, I had to leave for a week. When I got back, his mouth and around his eyes were reddish, and the horrible looking white scab on his back was there, as you see in the pictures.
http://i.imgur.com/RyBhT.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/pqUUK.jpg
Used API Test kit just a few moments ago for this.
pH - 8.0
Ammonia - 0.0
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
KH - 15 drops
Salinity - Currently don't have a way to test this, but I keep about 2-3 Tbs per 10 gallons in it at all times.
Tank Size - 65 gallons
Inhabitants - Two silver dollar fish, each about 3 inches long. They're just there temporarily. Symptoms w/ puffer occurred before their presence.
Feeding - Well...when he DID eat, he had frozen clams, krill, and plenty of live snails. Sometimes mussels or clams from the deli.
Water change schedule - Before he was sick, I did 25-33% changes every two weeks or so. Since he's been sick I've been doing 25-33% weekly, coinciding with medications.
Last water change was a 50% water change yesterday.
Aquarium has been set up for a few months now. Never actually got cycled, since the water came from my 125 gallon. Before the pufferfish was in there, I had a bunch of african cichlids, who thrived and had lots of babies all the time.
Please, please. He's my favorite little guy, and I need him to get better. Thank you.
My fahaka puffer has been sick for about 1 1/2 months.
He is getting scrawnier by the week, while he used to be a gluttonous pig, constantly begging for food every moment. Initially I saw him scratching against the gravel, and had some visible scarring from doing so. Also very cloudy eyes. I moved him into his own 65 gallon tank, and treated it with melafix for 1 1/2 weeks. During that time he pretty much stayed buried, and came out to swim only a few times.
After the melafix didn't seem to work, I thought it could have been some sort of parasitic infection, so I treated the tank with some stuff called Prazi Pro. After a couple days of that, he seemed more active, and even ate once during this time. After two weeks, he started hiding again, and not looking good at all. To top it off, I had to leave for a week. When I got back, his mouth and around his eyes were reddish, and the horrible looking white scab on his back was there, as you see in the pictures.
http://i.imgur.com/RyBhT.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/pqUUK.jpg
Used API Test kit just a few moments ago for this.
pH - 8.0
Ammonia - 0.0
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
KH - 15 drops
Salinity - Currently don't have a way to test this, but I keep about 2-3 Tbs per 10 gallons in it at all times.
Tank Size - 65 gallons
Inhabitants - Two silver dollar fish, each about 3 inches long. They're just there temporarily. Symptoms w/ puffer occurred before their presence.
Feeding - Well...when he DID eat, he had frozen clams, krill, and plenty of live snails. Sometimes mussels or clams from the deli.
Water change schedule - Before he was sick, I did 25-33% changes every two weeks or so. Since he's been sick I've been doing 25-33% weekly, coinciding with medications.
Last water change was a 50% water change yesterday.
Aquarium has been set up for a few months now. Never actually got cycled, since the water came from my 125 gallon. Before the pufferfish was in there, I had a bunch of african cichlids, who thrived and had lots of babies all the time.
Please, please. He's my favorite little guy, and I need him to get better. Thank you.
- J-P
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 5626
- Joined: Tue Oct 13, 2009 12:21 am
- Gender: Male
- Location (country): Japan
- Location: Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan
Re: Fahaka Puffer--quite sick.
how long has it been in the previous tank?
Nitrates of 0 is kind of strange.
Nitrates of 0 is kind of strange.
if you follow me, you avoid stepping in the crap that I just did...
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZR55G ... pqlgec1A2Q
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZR55G ... pqlgec1A2Q
- puffykid
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 537
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2011 3:16 pm
- Gender: Male
- Location (country): Madison, WI
Re: Fahaka Puffer--quite sick.
Agreed, probably the tank isn't cycled the water column itself has very little beneficial bacteria in it, you need to move over decor or filter pads. Also you need to treat the food and not the water because fw fish don't drink water. Use jungle fizzy tabs a quarter of the tab and soak for at least 30 mins you can get them at walmart.
Don't put in any salt fw fish don't need it and shouldn't be in the tank.
Also minimum wc's a week should be 50%
http://theaquariumwiki.com/The_Salt_of_the_Earth
Don't put in any salt fw fish don't need it and shouldn't be in the tank.
Also minimum wc's a week should be 50%
http://theaquariumwiki.com/The_Salt_of_the_Earth
1 M. Turgidus - 29 gallon
Re: Fahaka Puffer--quite sick.
Before the 65 gallon, he was in a 29 gallon. He was in there for about three months.J-P wrote:how long has it been in the previous tank?
Nitrates of 0 is kind of strange.
- J-P
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 5626
- Joined: Tue Oct 13, 2009 12:21 am
- Gender: Male
- Location (country): Japan
- Location: Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan
Re: Fahaka Puffer--quite sick.
how long had the 65 gal been set up before the transfer? How was the tank cycled (step by step)?
if you follow me, you avoid stepping in the crap that I just did...
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZR55G ... pqlgec1A2Q
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZR55G ... pqlgec1A2Q
Re: Fahaka Puffer--quite sick.
The nitrates are probably low because of the lack of food being put in the tank, since he doesn't eat any of it, thus the difficulty in medicating the food. Also I was under the impression fahaka puffers were brackish.puffykid wrote:Agreed, probably the tank isn't cycled the water column itself has very little beneficial bacteria in it, you need to move over decor or filter pads. Also you need to treat the food and not the water because fw fish don't drink water. Use jungle fizzy tabs a quarter of the tab and soak for at least 30 mins you can get them at walmart.
Don't put in any salt fw fish don't need it and shouldn't be in the tank.
Also minimum wc's a week should be 50%
http://theaquariumwiki.com/The_Salt_of_the_Earth
So I suppose now I need to figure out if it has been un-cycled somehow? I obviously can't be doing water changes in that case.
The only "fizzy tabs" I can see online are ones for ich treatment, which is not what he has. For parasites I've been using this -- http://i.imgur.com/RZJb7.jpg?1
- J-P
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 5626
- Joined: Tue Oct 13, 2009 12:21 am
- Gender: Male
- Location (country): Japan
- Location: Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan
Re: Fahaka Puffer--quite sick.
no... what kind of salt were you adding and how much?Fhkpffr wrote: The nitrates are probably low because of the lack of food being put in the tank, since he doesn't eat any of it, thus the difficulty in medicating the food. Also I was under the impression fahaka puffers were brackish.
if you follow me, you avoid stepping in the crap that I just did...
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZR55G ... pqlgec1A2Q
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZR55G ... pqlgec1A2Q
Re: Fahaka Puffer--quite sick.
The 65 gallon was 100% happily established before he was put in. I had a setup of african cichlids in there before him. Here's a few shots of what it looked like a day before he was put into it http://imgur.com/a/YnU5l (cichlids were taken out right before)J-P wrote:how long had the 65 gal been set up before the transfer? How was the tank cycled (step by step)?
Re: Fahaka Puffer--quite sick.
Instant Ocean brand. Amount of salt is between 1-3 tablespoons per 10 gallons.J-P wrote:no... what kind of salt were you adding and how much?Fhkpffr wrote: The nitrates are probably low because of the lack of food being put in the tank, since he doesn't eat any of it, thus the difficulty in medicating the food. Also I was under the impression fahaka puffers were brackish.
- J-P
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 5626
- Joined: Tue Oct 13, 2009 12:21 am
- Gender: Male
- Location (country): Japan
- Location: Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan
Re: Fahaka Puffer--quite sick.
I don't know if a tank can "uncycle" on its own. It may have mini cycles but that is normal.
The infection itself looks bacterial in nature, but don't take my word for it. It could be fungal. You'll have to be patient and let one of the higher ups chime in. A 50% water change would due good until someone can help determine the cause. Good clean water will aid in the fish's natural defense system.
The infection itself looks bacterial in nature, but don't take my word for it. It could be fungal. You'll have to be patient and let one of the higher ups chime in. A 50% water change would due good until someone can help determine the cause. Good clean water will aid in the fish's natural defense system.
if you follow me, you avoid stepping in the crap that I just did...
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZR55G ... pqlgec1A2Q
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZR55G ... pqlgec1A2Q
Re: Fahaka Puffer--quite sick.
Yeah I did the 1/2 change yesterday. I'll keep checking back.J-P wrote:I don't know if a tank can "uncycle" on its own. It may have mini cycles but that is normal.
The infection itself looks bacterial in nature, but don't take my word for it. It could be fungal. You'll have to be patient and let one of the higher ups chime in. A 50% water change would due good until someone can help determine the cause. Good clean water will aid in the fish's natural defense system.
- J-P
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 5626
- Joined: Tue Oct 13, 2009 12:21 am
- Gender: Male
- Location (country): Japan
- Location: Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan
Re: Fahaka Puffer--quite sick.
1/2 daily ....
if you follow me, you avoid stepping in the crap that I just did...
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZR55G ... pqlgec1A2Q
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZR55G ... pqlgec1A2Q
- LilGreenPuffer
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 5301
- Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:26 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Dwarf puffer - Thumbelina (only mine in my heart now; she lives in CT with my friend)
RIP Inigo Montoya, Fezzik, and Vizinni.
RIP James Bond. - Location (country): United States
- Location: Kentucky
Re: Fahaka Puffer--quite sick.
Not brackish at all. They come from African rivers (not estuaries) and lakes. Start reducing the salt gradually. Doing it too quickly will kill your beneficial bacteria. I'm not sure how to tell you how slowly to do this, exactly, since you're not measuring specific gravity or salinity. Someone else will have to help. If you ever use salt again, pleeeeease be careful! Variation like that, from 1 to 3 tablespoons, will definitely kill your cycle and can hurt your fish. You should be using a refractometer or hydrometer to check your salt levels. Did you work up to this level gradually when you first switched from cichlids to puffers?Fhkpffr wrote:Instant Ocean brand. Amount of salt is between 1-3 tablespoons per 10 gallons.J-P wrote:no... what kind of salt were you adding and how much?Fhkpffr wrote: The nitrates are probably low because of the lack of food being put in the tank, since he doesn't eat any of it, thus the difficulty in medicating the food. Also I was under the impression fahaka puffers were brackish.
Since your salt levels have been varying and your tank wasn't really cycled to begin with, I'd suggest checking your water parameters again. What kind of tests are you using - liquid or dip strip?
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Re: Fahaka Puffer--quite sick.
No, not daily. I did the 1/2 change I felt was necessary yesterday. Misunderstanding.J-P wrote:1/2 daily ....
- Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
- Posts: 32773
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Filbert, the 12" T lineatus
Punkster, the 4" red T miurus
Mongo, the 4" A modestus
2 T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
Also kept:
lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
Re: Fahaka Puffer--quite sick.
What was his favorite food before he stopped eating? Soak that food for a couple of hours in crushed garlic cloves & try feeding him again. After you get him eating, keep using the garlic soak & add the Jungle Parasite Clear to the soak.
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!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"