Hi everyone.
I'm new to puffers and sadly know little about this kind of fish. I do know that watch quality must be perfect so I can confirm that it is. I regularly check all qualities of my water to make sure levels are suitable for my range of fish. I currently have chilids, angels, tetras, mollies, guppies, fighters, platies and shrip in this tank.
Two days ago I discovered some large lumps on my puffers belly. It got me concerned, however I thought this was due to him over eating and therefore thought nothing of it. The lumps are still there, which is now firing concerns to me. Looking for advice on this as, although its a baby, I love my puffer as its very relaxed and not aggressive what so ever!
Pictures below:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/174 ... .53.18.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/174 ... .53.22.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/174 ... .53.39.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/174 ... .34.40.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/174 ... .34.56.jpg
I feed my puffer on white bate currently, as it is too young for other bits. I cut a piece of bate up for him about 8-10mm in length maxium, and feed once every two days. It currently faces the ground (see picture) and doesn't move from there. Its alive and kicking, however I'm concerned that it will sadly pass away shortly.
All tank mates have been accounted for, however could it be possible for it to stupidly eat a few pebbles?
All help and advice is welcome.
Worried about my figure 8 puffer!
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.
Worried about my figure 8 puffer!
Last edited by MrDGOrman on Sun Sep 22, 2013 1:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
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: Worried about my figure 8 puffer!
![[welcome]](./images/smilies/welcome.gif "welcome")
1st of all, those pics are waaaay too big! I had to reduce my page size about 10x, just to see the puffer.
2nd, you have a green spotted puffer, not a F8. It does not belong in FW at all (although neither does the F8) & prefers marine conditions as an adult. It is quite aggressive & will quickly make mincemeat of all your other fish.
As far as the lumps--yes, it may well be food but your puffer does not look well... My guess is there are worms inside of him. Bad news is, they're contagious to all your other fish too. I'd get a separate tank set up (cycle with Tetra's Safestart--nothing else will do!) & treat him & your other fish for IPs: library/hospital/internal-parasites-pre ... treatment/
library/puffers-in-focus/an-introductio ... d-puffers/
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!"
Re: Worried about my figure 8 puffer!
Sorry about the pictures. They should now be linked below:Pufferpunk wrote:
1st of all, those pics are waaaay too big! I had to reduce my page size about 10x, just to see the puffer.
2nd, you have a green spotted puffer, not a F8. It does not belong in FW at all (although neither does the F8) & prefers marine conditions as an adult. It is quite aggressive & will quickly make mincemeat of all your other fish.
As far as the lumps--yes, it may well be food but your puffer does not look well... My guess is there are worms inside of him. Bad news is, they're contagious to all your other fish too. I'd get a separate tank set up (cycle with Tetra's Safestart--nothing else will do!) & treat him & your other fish for IPs: library/hospital/internal-parasites-pre ... treatment/
library/puffers-in-focus/an-introductio ... d-puffers/
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/174 ... .53.18.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/174 ... .53.22.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/174 ... .53.39.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/174 ... .34.40.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/174 ... .34.56.jpg
Sorry for the dumb question but is my fish even suitable for my tank set up (tropical, not marine)? The shop sold it to me after I explained my lack of knowledge for this fish (clearly as I got the name wrong!)
Sadly I don't have a separation tank at the moment. Would it be possible to treat the tank as normal (eg, when treating for fin rot?)
I really appreciate your time with this.
-
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: Worried about my figure 8 puffer!
That fish absolutely does NOT belong in a mixed FW tank. Did you read the articles I linked you to?
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!"
-
Puffalot
- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2013 1:14 am
- Gender: Male
- My Puffers: Green spotted puffer (2)
- Location (country): Houston USA
Re: Worried about my figure 8 puffer!
Way too many fish if u ask me...
-
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: Worried about my figure 8 puffer!
That fish absolutely does NOT belong in a mixed FW tank. Did you read the articles I linked you to?
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!"
Re: Worried about my figure 8 puffer!
I've read the articles you've sent me and are very helpful. Thank you. You also appear to be the key person to talk to so thanks for the help so far.
It would appear that I need to invest in a additional tank for when adding new fish, and for taking care of sick ones too. Is there any particular tank or size you would recommend? I currently have a fluval system out of 4 different tanks and have found it to be best. How long would you also recommend a new tank mate being placed in this tank?
I will purchase some treatments that are recommended, and for sale in the UK.
I don't feel the 90l tank is too over crowded. This is he most I will be keeping in this tank.
Thanks for the help so far. Would appreciate you helping with an additional tank as well.
It would appear that I need to invest in a additional tank for when adding new fish, and for taking care of sick ones too. Is there any particular tank or size you would recommend? I currently have a fluval system out of 4 different tanks and have found it to be best. How long would you also recommend a new tank mate being placed in this tank?
I will purchase some treatments that are recommended, and for sale in the UK.
I don't feel the 90l tank is too over crowded. This is he most I will be keeping in this tank.
Thanks for the help so far. Would appreciate you helping with an additional tank as well.
-
bertie 83
- Moderator
- Posts: 5298
- Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2011 4:28 pm
- Gender: Male
- My Puffers: lineatus R.I.P, South American puffer. Valentini puffer, porcupine puffer.
Non puffer
Danios, Tetras, Redtail Rasporas,
Harlequins, CAE's, Yoyo
Loaches, Clown loaches ,Eels, various shrimp, tangs,wrasses, damsels, chromis - Location (country): Brighton, England
- Location: brighton , england
Re: Worried about my figure 8 puffer!
90 l is too small for just the puffer alone. All the fish in there are not appropriate to keep together and the tank is going to end badly if you don't separate them. The puffer needs high brackish to marine conditions.
It's amazing how easy maintenance is. If done regularly and thoroughly
Re: Worried about my figure 8 puffer!
Wasn't truly aware of this. Looks like a serious remodel is needed. The tank has been set up for 7 months without any prior issues so thought nothing of this. Thanks for letting me know!bertie 83 wrote:90 l is too small for just the puffer alone. All the fish in there are not appropriate to keep together and the tank is going to end badly if you don't separate them. The puffer needs high brackish to marine conditions.
-
sgtmyers88
- Moderator
- Posts: 1294
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2012 12:37 am
- Gender: Male
- My Puffers: Green Spotted Puffers
- Location (country): USA
- Contact:
Re: Worried about my figure 8 puffer!
Do not let the pet stores tell you otherwise. They are there only to do one thing: Sell you stuff.
WARNING: Puffers are mischievous little blimps with enchanting powers. You may not be content with having just one.
-
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: Worried about my figure 8 puffer!
What's the present stocking list in your 90l? i wouldn't think even a pair of Firemouth cichlids would be comfortable in there for very long.
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!"
-
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: Worried about my figure 8 puffer!
What's the present stocking list in your 90l? i wouldn't think even a pair of Firemouth cichlids would be comfortable in there for very long.
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!"
Re: Worried about my figure 8 puffer!
There are 24 fish altogether in this tank, but have known people to have 50+ in the same size.Pufferpunk wrote:What's the present stocking list in your 90l? i wouldn't think even a pair of Firemouth cichlids would be comfortable in there for very long.
Back to the specific subject, what would be the best quarantine tank?
-
bertie 83
- Moderator
- Posts: 5298
- Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2011 4:28 pm
- Gender: Male
- My Puffers: lineatus R.I.P, South American puffer. Valentini puffer, porcupine puffer.
Non puffer
Danios, Tetras, Redtail Rasporas,
Harlequins, CAE's, Yoyo
Loaches, Clown loaches ,Eels, various shrimp, tangs,wrasses, damsels, chromis - Location (country): Brighton, England
- Location: brighton , england
Re: Worried about my figure 8 puffer!
Something around 10usg or 40l would suit most fish for the quarantine period. My 90l tanks normally contain 10 very small fish, or 3-6 smallish placid fish around 2" full size.
It's amazing how easy maintenance is. If done regularly and thoroughly
-
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: Worried about my figure 8 puffer!
It's time to become a true hobbyist & not a fish collector. As a hobbyist, it is our responsibility to keep our fish in the best conditions possible for them to have long, healthy lives. I have fish over 25 years old. I bet NONE of the fish you refer to live past a few years.MrDGOrman wrote:There are 24 fish altogether in this tank, but have known people to have 50+ in the same size
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!"