The Puffer Forum

Hi
Had 3 topaz puffers now for around 4 months in a 200 litre tank. Feeding well and very active.

Nitrite/ammonia at zero, Ph around 8, Nitrate is slightly high around 25ppm due to local tap water. Temp 27 degrees C.
50% waterchanges done very 10 days.
Using FX6 external canister plus large internal air powered foam filter.

Feeding mainly earthworms, snails, large krill and cockles plus occasional bloodworm, large king prawns and mussels.

After a good feed Monday I noticed the largest of the group has lumps around his rear underside either side of his vent plus the vent is now a large hole (pen diameter) so very concerned. I have added Marine salt at 5g/gallon to raise the salinity slightly but only by 0.02 at present. Previoulsy were in freshwater.

As of today he still looks the same and is still active bit I am serioulsy concerned about these lumps and open vent. The other two are totally normal shape and the vents look normal (not a gaping hole).

Any advise welcomed.
Thanks
Chris

Try adding 1 tbsp epsom salt/5g. Won't hurt the others.

Do you have any readings for GH and KH?

Thanks for the response.
I am making regular water changes and as of today the lumps seem to have gone down and he has eaten again so hopefully on the right track since adding the salt. KH & GH quite high as our tapwater is hard plus i've added coral sand to buffer the water.
Another issue is that all three seem very nervous (office tank) but only two of us in the office. When you approach the front glass they go crazy and worried about them injuring themselves on wood/rockwork. It's a 200 litre tank with few rocks and wood roots although plants are dying off since i added salt (as expected).

Any advise on how to calm them down please? They always come for food but if you sit at the front of the tank they seem to panic.

Thanks
Chris

How heavily decorated is the tank? Can you post a pic of it?
Also, that tank really is only large enough for 1 adult.
viewtopic.php?f=38&t=28646

Hi

Belly lumps have gone now so hopefully ok and feeding well.

Still very nervous when you get close to tank but always come for food. I am still adding salt at 400g per 200 litres giving a SG reading of 1.002.

Expect those plants you have in there to rot, as you add salt. Are you using marine salt?

Yes using Marine salt and yes plants are starting to fade away but the puffers seem to enjoy nibbling them so will keep adding the odd bunch for some veg. I though about adding big plastic ones for extra cover but worried in case they ingest?
What do you use as main food to keep the teeth in check? I am struggling to keep up with snails so offering mussels, large shrimp in shell, large krill and cockles (shelled) as struggling to get whole ones.

I'm on vacation, so it is difficult to link to our library but in the drop-down menu you can get an entire page on feeding articles.