The Puffer Forum

Hey guys, first post here, though for the past month and a half as I cycled my tank I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve been pouring over this forum.

30g tank - no measurable ammonia nitrites or nitrates - I have two HoB filters - a mariners d penguin 150 and an aqua clear 70. 300w heater currently set at 84 (ich present on figure 8, hence the high temp) and a SG right around 1.003

I cycled the tank fish less using ammonia drops - it took way longer than expected, but because of the sensitive nature of figure 8’s, I knew I couldn’t cut corners. Took about a month and a half without seed material.

Finally brought home the first puffer last week and drip acclimated him - seemed really happy. Then a few days later I noticed a ton of white dots on him. I called the fish store to ask if the tank he came from had ich, they are currently treating that tank...I’ll be getting one more figure 8 on Friday, but want to make sure I’m doing what I should be doing.

I’ve ordered ich-x from Corey at aquarium coop and will treat as soon as it gets in.

Today though, he seemed to not want to eat at all and was far more sluggish than usual. I bought an air hose and pump to combat the low oxygen from the high temps, but this was probably overkill given it’s a planted tank.

Any advice on how I can make sure I don’t kill off this little guy I’ve been planning a month and a half for?

Any advice appreciated!

Justin

You cannot cycle a tank without seed material--no bacteria source. Hence why you are showing 0 nitrate. Are you using marine salt? I am discovering that heat only stresses the fish out. Do you have a pic of the ich?

yeah, once i added the seed material from a buddys tank, the tank cycled. the only reason i say nitrates are zero is because of obsessive water changes every day since bringing him home. here are a couple pictures - i don't have a good one of my puffer, as i am at work right now, but I was able to find essentially identical photos online.

and yes, marine salt, instant ocean. refractometer as well, not a hydrometer. well calibrated using distilled water.

and I think i agree with the heat stressing him out. ever since I started raising it, the ich has remained, but his behavior has def changed.

I really do need a pic of YOUR puffer. The top pic has no ich. Those white dots are its tiny spines. The 2nd pic, the upper fish does appear to have ich. Do the spots look like raised specks of salt? Are they on the fins?

Why would you be adding a 2nd puffer if you think your 1st 1 is sick?