The Puffer Forum

Hey I have no ideal if people are active on this but this is my last resort. So I have been gone for about a week and I noticed one of my puffers acting strange. His color is all dark along with his belly. He is usually super active and bright but now he just sits in the bottom of my tank and looks to be hyperventilating. I noticed when he does swim it's only when my heater kicks on and when he does swim it is very slow and he sometimes will tilt sideways or go upside down. It appears to me that he could have a swim bladder infection, but he also seems stressed. Also when I came home and talked to my dad who had been feeding them, he told me he was feeding them double there normal amount, which I read can lead to swim bladder infections. I feed them half a cube of frozen kril every day. My other puffer is healthy as can be which is odd. I have a 20 gallon tank with 2 puffers no other fish (I'm aware that some people say that is to small but these guys have been totally fine for months) my water is brackish and I don't know my levels because I am posting this late and I don't have a water test kit but I am going to get it tested first thing after school tomorrow. I have had these 2 guys in this tank for quite a few months now and there's been 0 problems. The only changes that have been made recently were that I added a new fake plant 8 days ago, which was also my last water change,but that's it. I will also change my water first thing tomorrow. I have no idea how long my little dude has got left and I don't know what to do because I can't diagnose him. If someone reads this anything will help. I'm sorry I don't have my water numbers but I will get them soon. I appreciate the help.

Gonna need ALL the above questions answered, before we can help. Get yourself an API test kit.

Also kind of puffer? Krill isn't a good staple food for puffers

Thanks for the help guys but my puffer died this morning. They are green spotted puffers btw. And I found out my nitrites were rather high so I go some stuff to fix that. And I did a huge water change when I got home probably about 50% and I'm hoping to keep this other guy alive.

How high? What did you add to the water?

I don't remember the exact number because I threw the strip out, but it was not good. I added some Dr.Tims cure all I believe it is called. I'm going to get my water tested again tomorrow to see if my nitrites dropped down. My other guy is doing totally fine though. So somebody said krill isn't a good staple food for leopard puffers. What is? I know they love snails and ghost shrimp which I'm working on getting, then there is also half shell clams. But what is good to feed him on a regular basis?

Get yourself an API liquid Test Kit. How was your tank cycled? What's the SG? What is your water change schedule?

What do u mean by SG? I went and got a water test kit. I change my water every Saturday. Generally about a 30% change.

SG is specific gravity, the measurement of salt in your tank. Your GSP is a brackish fish, that will eventually need high-end brackish to marine conditions.