Does a lumpy stomach always mean internal parasites?
Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2019 7:03 am
Hey guys, so I've had my dwarf puffer for about 3 weeks now and I noticed yesterday after feeding it that the right side of its stomach is actually a bit lumpy and weird looking. I was a bit paranoid when I first got it about it having parasites or even ich and monitored it closely. I even had a scare recently where I thought I saw worms sticking out of its stomach through its skin, but I think it may have just been substrate. The only reason I don't think my puffer has anything is because it has never shown signs of any sickness. It is always healthy and moving about the tank, always greets me when I enter the room, and eats pretty voraciously.
I am wondering if the lump could be related to stress or strong currents in the tank? I unfortunately broke my intake lily pipe a few days ago while trying to clean it and replaced it temporarily with a intake for a bigger filter I was planning on using for another tank, but it is much larger and so sucks in much more water and creates a stronger current in my tank. I have ordered another intake pipe but it will take a few more days to get here. The puffer seems fine and can handle the current but I wonder if it is putting unnecessary stress on the poor thing.
Could it be eggs? It seems like a female as it has developed a lot of tiny spots since I got it and it doesn't have a stripe underneath its belly and it does seem a bit larger than the males I've seen on youtube or in pictures. The bigger patterns on its body also does seem to have lightened a bit since I got it.
Is there anything I can do for it without putting it in any more stress? It doesn't actually seem too stressed, but I just want it to be happy and healthy.
I am wondering if the lump could be related to stress or strong currents in the tank? I unfortunately broke my intake lily pipe a few days ago while trying to clean it and replaced it temporarily with a intake for a bigger filter I was planning on using for another tank, but it is much larger and so sucks in much more water and creates a stronger current in my tank. I have ordered another intake pipe but it will take a few more days to get here. The puffer seems fine and can handle the current but I wonder if it is putting unnecessary stress on the poor thing.
Could it be eggs? It seems like a female as it has developed a lot of tiny spots since I got it and it doesn't have a stripe underneath its belly and it does seem a bit larger than the males I've seen on youtube or in pictures. The bigger patterns on its body also does seem to have lightened a bit since I got it.
Is there anything I can do for it without putting it in any more stress? It doesn't actually seem too stressed, but I just want it to be happy and healthy.