Mbu Puffer can't expel air

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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.
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discus70
Puffer Fry
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Mbu Puffer can't expel air

Post by discus70 »

Our Mbu puffer had not been eating for several weeks when we had a veterinarian do a thorough examination. During the course of the examination, which was conducted outside of her 300 gal tank under sedation, she puffed in some air. When she returned to the tank, and came out of anesthesia, she was left with a large air pocket. The air pocket acts as a buoyancy chamber and she cannot regain her normal upright attitude in the water. She floats head up, tilting to her side, at the top of the tank. The results of the blood work that was performed indicate that she may have liver failure as well. We are trying to get her to expel the air pocket so at least she will be more comfortable.
discus70
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Re: Mbu Puffer can't expel air

Post by discus70 »

Ok a little background, she is between six and seven years old and 27 inches long. A few years ago we were going to upgrade her aquarium size but were talked out of it by our vet and the Chicago Shed Aquarium. She is a big part of our family and is loved possibly more than any other fish I know. We just want her to be comfortable we realize that she's at the end of her life but we want the best for her.......Josie
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Re: Mbu Puffer can't expel air

Post by Pufferpunk »

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!"
PYRU
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Re: Mbu Puffer can't expel air

Post by PYRU »

If you can't expel air then its time to start thinking about clove oil. It might already be that time considering the above if she has liver failure.

I'm hesitant to give the dosage I used for my big cichlids. However dose it like your putting it to sleep then once its sedated overdose it. It's painless from what I've seen.

It sucks but its for the best in these circumstances.
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