This problem should be resolved soon, hopefully. But for interest, here's my situation:
Single specimen tank - GSP.
Behaviour - Inactive and resting in in plain sight (unusual)
When startled (accidently), movements suggest confusion and perhaps fatigue.
Breathing is NOT heavy at all
Eye movements seem responsive to movement at first but not persistant.
Refusing food.
Appearance -
Belly appears full and round and not bulgy or lumpy.
Stomach appears black around edges but cannot see whole belly
as the fish is resting on the substrate.
Notes about tank set up -
100L FO tank with single internal sponge filter and external PS
Aeration has been performed by a protein skimmer
which runs from midday (12) to 9pm each day - same hours as lighting
Some red-brown algae is present (usual, unfortunately). Darker than usuall.
Water measurements
salinity - 1.020 (corrected for for one last tiny bubble that won't get off the swing handle >:/ lol )
temp - ??? (below 18 c/ 64f)
Only products added - reef salt and conditioner.
ammo
nitrite
nitrate
ph
I got this far into analyzing the problem before I realized that I had left the damned heaters off last time I did a water change D:
Lesson (re)learned - always be thorough and systematic.
Will be testing the pH and nitrogen-cycle perameters to see if there's any damage to those.
A good reason for a systematic analysis of tank -
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.
-
BedScien
- Green Spotted Puffer
- Posts: 321
- Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 2:49 pm
- My Puffers: Green Spotted Puffer (marine, 100L / 26 US GAL)
- Location (country): England
A good reason for a systematic analysis of tank -
mblahahahaha mmmyeessss
'It's true because I read it on the internet' - Everyone
'It's true because I read it on the internet' - Everyone
-
Hillehaus
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 205
- Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2014 12:45 pm
- Gender: Male
- My Puffers: 1 GSP.
- Location (country): United States
- Location: Maryland
Re: A good reason for a systematic analysis of tank -
Thanks for sharing. It is always nice to be reminded of the importance of being thorough. That's a tough lesson to learn, and an easy one to forget. I've certainly done similar things more than once. Once never plugging in my filter after a cleaning (thank goodness the plants were up to the task of short term filtration and aeration; but it left a huuuuge mess) and once carelessly placing a CO2 tank back in its place without locking the valve which almost gassed out my fish.
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Iliveinazoo
- Fahaka Puffer
- Posts: 826
- Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:09 am
- Gender: Male
- My Puffers: 1xFigure 8
- Location (country): UK
- Location: Southampton
Re: A good reason for a systematic analysis of tank -
I found my figure 8 did a similar thing when I changed his water without checking the temperature before adding to the tank, the water was far too cold which basically made him 'freeze' until the tank warmed back up to temperature.
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eieio
- Mbu Puffer
- Posts: 1033
- Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2009 11:34 am
- My Puffers: *
The Congo Puffer:
"olivia"
and.......
The DP:
"cream puff"
RIP cream puff :-( - Location (country): U.S.A.
- Location: Prescott, Arizona
Re: A good reason for a systematic analysis of tank -
oh, and BedScien, don't forget to check to make sure there aren't any missing cats in the tank 
"I plan ahead. That way, I don't have to do anything right now!"
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Welch4
- Fahaka Puffer
- Posts: 698
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 5:22 pm
- Gender: Male
- My Puffers: 1 GSP
- Location (country): USA
- Location: Abington,MA
Re: A good reason for a systematic analysis of tank -
Lol still kicking myself over that posteieio wrote:oh, and BedScien, don't forget to check to make sure there aren't any missing cats in the tank
Forget other advice about puffers you don't hear here - Pufferpunk
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Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
- Posts: 32773
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
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- 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: A good reason for a systematic analysis of tank -
Especially since I sent your story to RTR! 
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!"
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BedScien
- Green Spotted Puffer
- Posts: 321
- Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 2:49 pm
- My Puffers: Green Spotted Puffer (marine, 100L / 26 US GAL)
- Location (country): England
Re: A good reason for a systematic analysis of tank -
if you didn't laugh, I'll eat my cat...
HAT! I meant hat >.<
HAT! I meant hat >.<
mblahahahaha mmmyeessss
'It's true because I read it on the internet' - Everyone
'It's true because I read it on the internet' - Everyone
-
BedScien
- Green Spotted Puffer
- Posts: 321
- Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 2:49 pm
- My Puffers: Green Spotted Puffer (marine, 100L / 26 US GAL)
- Location (country): England
Re: A good reason for a systematic analysis of tank -
yeah. Kinda weird cos humans stay warmer by moving more? I dunno how that works though :/ Would have been harder to notice as mine is always moving and often pacing (Dw I'm working on a FOWLR set up for him)Iliveinazoo wrote:I found my figure 8 did a similar thing when I changed his water without checking the temperature before adding to the tank, the water was far too cold which basically made him 'freeze' until the tank warmed back up to temperature.
He's moving about like normal now. Checking parameters tomorrow.
mblahahahaha mmmyeessss
'It's true because I read it on the internet' - Everyone
'It's true because I read it on the internet' - Everyone
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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: A good reason for a systematic analysis of tank -
Different animals work differently, my cats have a warm coat of fur to keep them warm, fish don't. We move or shiver, fish shut down etc. all creatures evolve differently, for instance cats evolved to eat fish, fish didn't have cats on the menu etc lol
It's amazing how easy maintenance is. If done regularly and thoroughly
Re: A good reason for a systematic analysis of tank -
bertie 83 wrote:Different animals work differently, my cats have a warm coat of fur to keep them warm, fish don't. We move or shiver, fish shut down etc. all creatures evolve differently, for instance cats evolved to eat fish, fish didn't have cats on the menu etc lol
Bertie, I just saw this and thought of your quote.
This fish DID have a cat on the menu.
It looks like the kitten was just a hair faster than the fish.
video - 28 secs.
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hadla
- Mbu Puffer
- Posts: 1626
- Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:33 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: 2 gsps and a big Stars and stripes
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- Location: Sacramento, CA
- Contact:
Re: A good reason for a systematic analysis of tank -
Nelson from the Simpsons: Ha Ha!eieio wrote:oh, and BedScien, don't forget to check to make sure there aren't any missing cats in the tank
Edit: lol hopefully those cats learned their lesson!
Never trust big puffers. The fingers you save may be your own. -RTR
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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: A good reason for a systematic analysis of tank -
Grup, that fish was just kissing the cat. Lol. That was a protective display not an I'm gonna eat you,
It's amazing how easy maintenance is. If done regularly and thoroughly
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Master of Puffers
- Green Spotted Puffer
- Posts: 358
- Joined: Sun Sep 23, 2012 12:12 am
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: target puffer
fahaka
6 dwarf puffers - Location (country): La Belle Province
Re: A good reason for a systematic analysis of tank -
I did a 20%% ater change on my target tank and then discovered that the heater cable had been severed somehow..no wonder the poor fish wasn't happy..
A kiss on the hand may be quite continental
But puffers are a girl`s best friend.
But puffers are a girl`s best friend.