Default deworming?

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astrid37
Figure 8 Puffer
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Default deworming?

Post by astrid37 »

Hello All,

Thanks for all of the help and resources available through this forum! I thoroughly read the deworming instructions in the forum library and have gone through old posts here. I am looking for opinions on whether to deworm by default for a new addition (tetraodon schoutedeni)? Photo attached. The article in the forum library seemed to suggest that it should be done by default, and I'm leaning toward doing it since I know my puffer was being fed live feeder goldfish (I know, I know :( ) before he became the newest member of the family. He's in a 55g with some serpae tetras and peppered corys. I've only had him two days, but he's eating well, ramhorms, blackworms, and reconstituted freeze-dried krill soaked in vitamin water. I picked up the metroplex and levamisole hcl just in case. I am afraid to rock the boat since he's eating well and seems healthy but also don't want him to have a shortened life due to any possible parasites. He was given a "general cure" before I got him (which I am under the impression doesn't really tackle parasites?), don't have any more specific information than that. Darned if I do and darned if I don't?

Thanks so much,
Astrid
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Pufferpunk
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Re: Default deworming?

Post by Pufferpunk »

How does his poop look? IMO, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
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!"
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astrid37
Figure 8 Puffer
Posts: 117
Joined: Sun May 14, 2017 2:37 pm
My Puffers: Seven T. schoutedeni
Location (country): US

Re: Default deworming?

Post by astrid37 »

I like that philosophy! So far, I haven't seen much poop. I will keep a close eye out and report back when there is a sighting. :) He's just so darn cute. Very peaceful (except when it comes to eating snails or krill, but even then, doesn't go after the tetras if they snag a bite) with a healthy dose of curiosity. I am totally head over heels. He already recognizes the tongs after just two days and comes zooming over when he sees them!
User avatar
Pufferpunk
Queen Admin
Posts: 32764
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Filbert, the 12" T lineatus
Punkster, the 4" red T miurus
Mongo, the 4" A modestus
2 T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
Also kept:
lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles
Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Re: Default deworming?

Post by Pufferpunk »

Mine, too! :smitten:
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!"
User avatar
astrid37
Figure 8 Puffer
Posts: 117
Joined: Sun May 14, 2017 2:37 pm
My Puffers: Seven T. schoutedeni
Location (country): US

Re: Default deworming?

Post by astrid37 »

Finally caught Copernicus pooping! Thoughts on whether he may have a harmful parasite load?
(Apologies for the grainy image. The original was too large to upload, so I had to reduce the resolution.) He is eating even better than when he first arrived about a week ago, which I didn't think was possible! :lol:

Thanks for everything,
Astrid
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User avatar
Pufferpunk
Queen Admin
Posts: 32764
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Filbert, the 12" T lineatus
Punkster, the 4" red T miurus
Mongo, the 4" A modestus
2 T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
Also kept:
lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles
Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Re: Default deworming?

Post by Pufferpunk »

Poop looks good!
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!"
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hadla
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Re: Default deworming?

Post by hadla »

O.o white poop is normal?
Never trust big puffers. The fingers you save may be your own. -RTR
User avatar
Pufferpunk
Queen Admin
Posts: 32764
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Filbert, the 12" T lineatus
Punkster, the 4" red T miurus
Mongo, the 4" A modestus
2 T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
Also kept:
lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles
Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Re: Default deworming?

Post by Pufferpunk »

Depends on what they're eating. My puffs eat a lot of white foods, like shrimp, mussels, clams, scallop. As long as it's not stringy, it should be fine.
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!"
User avatar
hadla
Mbu Puffer
Posts: 1626
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:33 pm
Gender: Female
My Puffers: 2 gsps and a big Stars and stripes
Location (country): California
Location: Sacramento, CA
Contact:

Re: Default deworming?

Post by hadla »

Oh ok that’s interesting
Never trust big puffers. The fingers you save may be your own. -RTR
User avatar
astrid37
Figure 8 Puffer
Posts: 117
Joined: Sun May 14, 2017 2:37 pm
My Puffers: Seven T. schoutedeni
Location (country): US

Re: Default deworming?

Post by astrid37 »

Super, many thanks! Such a relief and good to know what to look for! :D
KGNickl
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Re: Default deworming?

Post by KGNickl »

If wild caught recently I do default deworming (for example any new dwarf puffer I get). If the puffer has been out of the wild and in an aquarium for 3+ months and is fat and does not have stringy poop then I would skip it and just watch for signs of worms.
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