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GSP Tiny White Spots? Ick?

Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2020 11:07 pm
by gerstetm
Hello! I recently got my new GSP from my local pet store, and upon arriving home and doing a more thorough check, I saw some tiny white specks. I initially was going to return him, but figured he would probably have a better chance with me, rather than my local chain pet store. I was talking to the guy at the store and he recommended Herbtana. I have heard that this probably isn't the best solution for ick or any other parasites. What are your opinions on this? He is on Day 2 of treatment and the white spots have definitely gotten smaller and are hardly visible. The puffer eats great and has a varied diet of shrimp, snails, bloodworms, and brine shrimp. He is always roaming around and going to the bathroom fine. My water levels are all where they are supposed to be. It was in freshwater and I drip acclimated it over a couple hours to my brackish water. Will this kill freshwater ick? I also raised the temp to my tank to about 82/83 degrees. What are your thoughts on this? Is it ick, an internal parasite, or maybe just his color? His stomach is white and has no other colors to indicate that it is sick. I'm am not as worried since it is eating so well, and doesn't look unhealty at all besides the itty bitty white spots.

Thanks in advanced!

Re: GSP Tiny White Spots? Ick?

Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2020 11:29 am
by Pufferpunk
I never heard of that product but be careful because puffers are extremely sensitive to ich medications. What's in it? I always find it best to treat with heat and salt, especially since they like salty water anyway. Are you sure it ich? It's possible you're seeing their tiny white spines.

Re: GSP Tiny White Spots? Ick?

Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2020 1:50 pm
by gerstetm
Herbtana is an all herbal medication. I also read on other forums that it is safe for puffers, as it does not include any harmful herbals or chemicals. The heat and salt method is how I am currently treating him on top of the herban. This morning I did wake up with him having a white string coming from him. Does that mean that the food isn't digesting? Is that dead parasites?

Re: GSP Tiny White Spots? Ick?

Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2020 7:06 pm
by gerstetm
Another thing I did notice today that the puffer did not eat. He is pretty plump from yesterday's feeding, so could it just be that he is full? I do think it has some intestinal parasites, so I have to figure out what to do about that.

Re: GSP Tiny White Spots? Ick?

Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 12:54 pm
by SAPpyPuffer
Is it possible you could post pictures? If it’s internal parasites, he will start to become thinner. Pay attention to his poop. If it is white or clear, that’s a good sign of IPs.
Multiple treatments work, one for ich being the salt method, and for IPs being either certain medications or garlic juice (though you should be careful with that. I once polluted my DP tank with too much garlic juice).

Re: GSP Tiny White Spots? Ick?

Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 6:47 pm
by Pufferpunk
I once polluted my DP tank with too much garlic juice
You never treat the tank for IPs, only their food.

Re: GSP Tiny White Spots? Ick?

Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 7:44 pm
by SAPpyPuffer
I tried to soak it in the bloodworms, which then spread into the tank water because I used too much.

Re: GSP Tiny White Spots? Ick?

Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 9:18 pm
by gerstetm
Yes I will post pictures in a few. I ended up buying General Cure. I put the recommended amount in the tank, and then put some in his food. As that is what my LFS directed too. So far my Puffer has had great progress. He began eating again... a lot. No stringy white poo.

Re: GSP Tiny White Spots? Ick?

Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2020 12:46 pm
by SAPpyPuffer
Glad to hear your puffer is doing better!!

Re: GSP Tiny White Spots? Ick?

Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2020 3:39 pm
by gerstetm
A little update. The past two days he has not been eating, and his colors are darker than normal. His belly is not completely dark if that means anything. He also seems to always be hiding, or laying down in the aragonite. I have treated him with General Cure. Any ideas why this is happening? I check my water perimeters and they are perfect. Im upset. :/

Re: GSP Tiny White Spots? Ick?

Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2020 6:23 pm
by Pufferpunk
What SG?

Re: GSP Tiny White Spots? Ick?

Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 12:47 am
by gerstetm
1.007

Re: GSP Tiny White Spots? Ick?

Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 9:06 am
by gerstetm
More bad news. Last night he was sleeping next to the filter I assume, and he got sucked into the little filter intake. Not sure how as this hasn’t happened before. Lights are off to be less stressful and I have it to where he can’t get sucked into it again. He obviously can’t swim really much. Hoping he can recover. I’m so upset :(

Re: GSP Tiny White Spots? Ick?

Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 10:07 am
by Pufferpunk
Oh gosh... Is there a strainer covering the intake?

Re: GSP Tiny White Spots? Ick?

Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 4:57 pm
by gerstetm
Yes there was and obviously still is. I guess it was still too powerful. He can’t get near the filter as of right now. I haven’t been home yet and worried I might come home to something unfortunate. :(