Well I just joined and I know if I spent a few hours looking around I'd probably find the answer. But I'd prefer an answer now so I can handle it ASAP.
I've read a few threads where people have recommended treating new fahakas for parasites to avoid future problems. I was just wondering what those future problems might be?
Also, how necessary is it to treat right away?
I just got my fahaka and he's about 4". I bought him from another hobbyist and he has been doing good for the past 4 days now. His markings are in good shape, he's eating, and he's swimming all over the place so I assume he's healthy. Anyway, any help would be much appreciated.
Parasite treatments for fahaka
Forum rules
Read this before posting!!
Since this board has been up, we have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help right away (if we can!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.
1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.
2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.
3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)
4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.
5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.
We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.
While you wait for assistance:
One of the easiest and best ways to help your fish feel better is clean water! If you are already on a regular water change schedule (50% weekly is recommended) a good step to making your fish more comfortable while waiting for diagnosis/suggestions is to do a large water change immediately. Feel free to repeat daily or as often as you can, clean water is always a good thing! Use of Amquel or Prime as a dechlor may help with any ammonia or nitrite issues, and is highly recommended.
Note - if you do not normally do large water changes, doing a sudden, large water change could shock your fish by suddenly changing their established water chemistry. Clean water is still your first goal, so in this case, do several smaller (10%) water changes over the next day or two before starting any large ones.
Read this before posting!!
Since this board has been up, we have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help right away (if we can!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.
1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.
2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.
3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)
4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.
5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.
We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.
While you wait for assistance:
One of the easiest and best ways to help your fish feel better is clean water! If you are already on a regular water change schedule (50% weekly is recommended) a good step to making your fish more comfortable while waiting for diagnosis/suggestions is to do a large water change immediately. Feel free to repeat daily or as often as you can, clean water is always a good thing! Use of Amquel or Prime as a dechlor may help with any ammonia or nitrite issues, and is highly recommended.
Note - if you do not normally do large water changes, doing a sudden, large water change could shock your fish by suddenly changing their established water chemistry. Clean water is still your first goal, so in this case, do several smaller (10%) water changes over the next day or two before starting any large ones.
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taureandragon76
- Green Spotted Puffer
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Re: Parasite treatments for fahaka
I think it's more when they are coming straight from the wild. All fish carry some sorta parasites in their natural environment but when taken outta that environment they become susceptable(sp?) to those parasites.
My home forum http://www.bcaquaria.com
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edmlfc1
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125G:Fahaka (Annabelle) - Location (country): U.S.A.
- Location: Texas
Re: Parasite treatments for fahaka
The reason we say treat right away is because once the worms take over the body of the fish it will stop eating. When that happens there is a chance that you cannot save it, it may be too far gone. You can use prazipro or gel-tek ultra cure px (if you can find it) to treat for worms. Just follow the directions on the package. If the fish will not eat food soaked in prazipro you can dose the tank.
My story short version: I thought Annabelle was healthy when I got her. I had treated her twice for IP's. After a few months she passed a 30" tapeworm then we started dealing with camallanus worms. She didn't show any signs of illness, she ate well, swam around and then one day I noticed the tapeworm. If your fahaka is eating I suggest deworming asap. Annabelle is doing great now after two months of dealing with this. She was on the extreme side of things, that dosen't mean your puffer will have the same things she's had. I'm just saying it's best to treat them asap and not wait until they show signs.
I had some problems with her refusing food during treatment. It took me weeks to get her to eat again. Now she's back to being a pig. I have one more worm treatment to give her next week and hopefully we will be totally done. I will know for sure in 3-4 months.
This is just my story. If you read around the forum you can other stories about worms. Not what Annabelle had but just plain IP's. Some puffer's are alive and well some have passed. It is very important to treat them.
My story short version: I thought Annabelle was healthy when I got her. I had treated her twice for IP's. After a few months she passed a 30" tapeworm then we started dealing with camallanus worms. She didn't show any signs of illness, she ate well, swam around and then one day I noticed the tapeworm. If your fahaka is eating I suggest deworming asap. Annabelle is doing great now after two months of dealing with this. She was on the extreme side of things, that dosen't mean your puffer will have the same things she's had. I'm just saying it's best to treat them asap and not wait until they show signs.
I had some problems with her refusing food during treatment. It took me weeks to get her to eat again. Now she's back to being a pig. I have one more worm treatment to give her next week and hopefully we will be totally done. I will know for sure in 3-4 months. This is just my story. If you read around the forum you can other stories about worms. Not what Annabelle had but just plain IP's. Some puffer's are alive and well some have passed. It is very important to treat them.
Need to know what kind of puffer you have? Click on Puffer ID.....Puffer ID: ug.php/v/PufferPedia/
What to feed your puffer? Click on Feeding......
Feeding: library/feeding/feeding-your-puffers/
Have a GSP, need more information......Click on GSP Article.....
GSP Article: library/puffers-in-focus/an-introductio ... d-puffers/
What to feed your puffer? Click on Feeding......
Feeding: library/feeding/feeding-your-puffers/
Have a GSP, need more information......Click on GSP Article.....
GSP Article: library/puffers-in-focus/an-introductio ... d-puffers/
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Pufferpunk
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Re: Parasite treatments for fahaka
I wouldn't worry, about these things unless you have bought a fish from the store (in that case, it hasn't been long out of the wild), if you add another fish from the store & didn't QT it (it can give your fish diseases) or if you feed your fish feeders from the store (really bad idea).
I think your friend is safe. Check out the articles on treating parasites & also on feedinfg feeders, in our Library, for more info.
I think your friend is safe. Check out the articles on treating parasites & also on feedinfg feeders, in our Library, for more info.
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!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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Dadof4
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Re: Parasite treatments for fahaka
Was your Fahaka de-wormed by you friend once he/she got it and how long had he/she had it prior to you getting it? If the answers are "No" and "not long" I would highly consider worming it. It's not that traumaic or overly stressing to the fish, especially if he is still eating and will take the med soaked food. My two cents worth....
"Darwin swings...annnnnnd a miss. Boy Jim, Chuck's suffered at the plate tonight. He's 0 for 3 and I'm not sure he's recovered from that shoulder pull a few weeks ago. I'll bet the front office is re-thinking that contract."
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Pufferpunk
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Re: Parasite treatments for fahaka
No need to worm a seemingly long-time healthy fish, unless it shows signs of parasites.
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!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
Re: Parasite treatments for fahaka
Thanks for all the quick responses. I'm glad I didn't get flamed for not looking around first. Thanks alot I can see this is a great forum.
Anyway, I don't really know the guy who had the fahaka he was selling it on a local fish forum here in Hawaii. As the fish is only 4" long I would assume he probably got it at around 2" or so. So I guess he had it for a month to 3 months. I'll try and ask him.
If this is the case then maybe I really should just worm him to be safe. He's doing really well so far and I'm just worried about something happening (reaction to meds). If you guys have had all positive responses to these meds then I'll take the chance. An ounce of prevention adn all that.
Anyway, I don't really know the guy who had the fahaka he was selling it on a local fish forum here in Hawaii. As the fish is only 4" long I would assume he probably got it at around 2" or so. So I guess he had it for a month to 3 months. I'll try and ask him.
If this is the case then maybe I really should just worm him to be safe. He's doing really well so far and I'm just worried about something happening (reaction to meds). If you guys have had all positive responses to these meds then I'll take the chance. An ounce of prevention adn all that.
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Pufferpunk
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T miurus
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DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
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Re: Parasite treatments for fahaka
Is he normally shaped (like a footbal) & does his poop look good (not white or stringy)? I don't treat every single puffer that comes into my house for IPs.
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!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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Dadof4
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- Location (country): United States
- Location: North Wisconsin
Re: Parasite treatments for fahaka
After seeing the problems people have been having with IP's I treat mine prophylacticly with food soaked in Gel Tek Ultra Cure for 3 days before they stop eating. It's not that rough on the fish and I like to be better safe than sorry. PP I agree with you that a lot of puffers don't need it but I'm kind of a caution freak when it comes to things like this.Pufferpunk wrote:Is he normally shaped (like a footbal) & does his poop look good (not white or stringy)? I don't treat every single puffer that comes into my house for IPs.
"Darwin swings...annnnnnd a miss. Boy Jim, Chuck's suffered at the plate tonight. He's 0 for 3 and I'm not sure he's recovered from that shoulder pull a few weeks ago. I'll bet the front office is re-thinking that contract."
Re: Parasite treatments for fahaka
He is shaped like a football.Pufferpunk wrote:Is he normally shaped (like a footbal) & does his poop look good (not white or stringy)? I don't treat every single puffer that comes into my house for IPs.
His poop is small, red colored, and pill-like. I guess its red because I've been feeding him live crayfish.
Speaking of that. How would I medicate him if he only eats live food?
Also, (on a different subject) how did you guys get yours to eat frozen foods? I have krill and mysis and he wont tough either; even after I starved him for four days. I tried to put a fishing line thru it to make it look animated and he didn't even notice it.
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Pufferpunk
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T miurus
A modestus
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C valentini
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DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
- Location: Greenville, SC
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Re: Parasite treatments for fahaka
We have an article on that in our Library.
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!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"