If the red-eyes aren't affected, then you might be dealing with another problem, as well. I don't think you need a breeding tank - just another display. That will be a fine place for him to rest. If you do have another disease on your hands, you should get him away from the healthy fish ASAP before they get it, too, and be sure to wash your hands and rinse well after caring for the sick one, before caring for the healthy ones.
Congo puffers come in a variety of colors. What color was this one at the store? Maybe light brown is his natural color.
Is the congo eating at all?
my congo is breathing heavy
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.
-
LilGreenPuffer
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 5301
- Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:26 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Dwarf puffer - Thumbelina (only mine in my heart now; she lives in CT with my friend)
RIP Inigo Montoya, Fezzik, and Vizinni.
RIP James Bond. - Location (country): United States
- Location: Kentucky
Re: my congo is breathing heavy
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
-
beapeman
- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Sat May 02, 2009 11:26 pm
- My Puffers: 2 red eye puffers(R.I.P)
1 congo puffer(R.I.P) - Location: Toronto
Re: my congo is breathing heavy
OK! I will make sure about that.
congo hasn't been eating for 2 days and today is going to be 3rd day that he is not eating anything. I will go home and check the water again but when he was at home he actually changed colour many times to suit the surrounding area ( I have white gravel and lace stone ) so when he is on the lace stone he will go darker to suit the colour of lace stone and when he is on the gravel he will go lighter but the 2 days that he didnt' eat, his colour was pitch black and now changed to light brown swimming in a weak mode( barely move his fin...) but he does seem to calm down after the water change. I just called the LFS, I'm not sure if he knows what he is talking about but he told me not to feed the puffers today and a little tomorrow and do only 30% of water change everytime when change the water and since I changed the water yesterday he told me to leave it until Friday to change a small portion of water...but on the forum it says I need to change the water everyday ya?
congo hasn't been eating for 2 days and today is going to be 3rd day that he is not eating anything. I will go home and check the water again but when he was at home he actually changed colour many times to suit the surrounding area ( I have white gravel and lace stone ) so when he is on the lace stone he will go darker to suit the colour of lace stone and when he is on the gravel he will go lighter but the 2 days that he didnt' eat, his colour was pitch black and now changed to light brown swimming in a weak mode( barely move his fin...) but he does seem to calm down after the water change. I just called the LFS, I'm not sure if he knows what he is talking about but he told me not to feed the puffers today and a little tomorrow and do only 30% of water change everytime when change the water and since I changed the water yesterday he told me to leave it until Friday to change a small portion of water...but on the forum it says I need to change the water everyday ya?
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LilGreenPuffer
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 5301
- Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:26 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Dwarf puffer - Thumbelina (only mine in my heart now; she lives in CT with my friend)
RIP Inigo Montoya, Fezzik, and Vizinni.
RIP James Bond. - Location (country): United States
- Location: Kentucky
Re: my congo is breathing heavy
Yes! 50% every day until the cycle is over! LFS people are stupid. Seriously, most of them either don't know what they're talking about, or else they're dishonest and trying to get you to buy a fish by saying that it's easy to care for when it's really not. As you've seen, he is doing visibly better after the water changes, so do keep them up. 
And don't worry that he's not eating right now. Puffers can go for weeks without eating. Continue to offer food, but be sure to remove anything that's not eaten - it would make the cycle even worse!
And don't worry that he's not eating right now. Puffers can go for weeks without eating. Continue to offer food, but be sure to remove anything that's not eaten - it would make the cycle even worse!
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
-
beapeman
- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Sat May 02, 2009 11:26 pm
- My Puffers: 2 red eye puffers(R.I.P)
1 congo puffer(R.I.P) - Location: Toronto
Re: my congo is breathing heavy
seems like I over feed the puffers and so the ammonia appears I'm really hoping congo is going to get better, I just changed around 50% of the water today and congo was moving really quickly all the sudden then up side down on the gravel. i flipped him back now and he moved fast to the stone and now just laying on the gravel. I don't know what else I can do now. the rest of the members in the tank seems to be fine. water temperature is 29 right now. I'm not going to feed them for couple days and hope the ammonia will drop down...what else should I do other than change water?
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LilGreenPuffer
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 5301
- Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:26 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Dwarf puffer - Thumbelina (only mine in my heart now; she lives in CT with my friend)
RIP Inigo Montoya, Fezzik, and Vizinni.
RIP James Bond. - Location (country): United States
- Location: Kentucky
Re: my congo is breathing heavy
Do you have a siphon? That will help remove any uneaten food. Do you have an airstone, by the way? A cycle can decrease oxygen levels. Try to get a QT ASAP, or even just the plastic bin I mentioned. If you have Prime, which is a water conditioner that detoxifies ammonia as well as removing chlorine and chloramines, that would help a lot. They won't impede the cycle, since the bacteria can still eat the detoxified ammonia.
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
-
beapeman
- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Sat May 02, 2009 11:26 pm
- My Puffers: 2 red eye puffers(R.I.P)
1 congo puffer(R.I.P) - Location: Toronto
Re: my congo is breathing heavy
I just checked the water
ph 7.8
ammonia 0.25~05
nitrite 0
nitrate 0
is it a good sign?
ph 7.8
ammonia 0.25~05
nitrite 0
nitrate 0
is it a good sign?
-
beapeman
- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Sat May 02, 2009 11:26 pm
- My Puffers: 2 red eye puffers(R.I.P)
1 congo puffer(R.I.P) - Location: Toronto
Re: my congo is breathing heavy
yes i do have a sophon and i just used siphon and I have a air pump which pump air into the tank I will chech tomorrow if the shop has prime Thanks a lot for the help, LilGreenPuffer.
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Christemo
- Suspended
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- My Puffers: 1 GSP (RIP Puffy... we tried everything we could. :( )
2 Figure 8s (Cupcake and Sprinkles) - Location: Marlton, NJ//Emmitsburg, MD
- Contact:
Re: my congo is breathing heavy
Your ammonia should be at 0. Have you thought about returning the puffers yet?
Two F8's, two tiny fantails and a pleco call me mommy.
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beapeman
- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Sat May 02, 2009 11:26 pm
- My Puffers: 2 red eye puffers(R.I.P)
1 congo puffer(R.I.P) - Location: Toronto
Re: my congo is breathing heavy
i don't know if the congo is going to be able to make it to the fish shop. the store where I bought him was 1 hr and 15 mins drive from my house. and I asked my friend to take me there since I don't have a car myself... I'm trying to do as much as I can to safe congo. if there is anything I should know of please let me know, thank you.
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Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
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suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
- Location: Greenville, SC
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Re: my congo is breathing heavy
Your only recourse is to get a 2nd tank & follow the ER cycling instructions.
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!"
-
LilGreenPuffer
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 5301
- Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:26 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Dwarf puffer - Thumbelina (only mine in my heart now; she lives in CT with my friend)
RIP Inigo Montoya, Fezzik, and Vizinni.
RIP James Bond. - Location (country): United States
- Location: Kentucky
Re: my congo is breathing heavy
When you start getting nitrite readings, that means that your cycle is progressing. For now, just keep ammonia at a minimum with water changes, and add Prime. Your cycle will be complete when you have nitrate readings, and both ammonia and nitrites are at 0.beapeman wrote:I just checked the water
ph 7.8
ammonia 0.25~05
nitrite 0
nitrate 0
is it a good sign?
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
-
beapeman
- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Sat May 02, 2009 11:26 pm
- My Puffers: 2 red eye puffers(R.I.P)
1 congo puffer(R.I.P) - Location: Toronto
Re: my congo is breathing heavy
OK! Thanks everyone for the helpful information.
Thanks LilGreePuffer, I will get Prime after work. and will check the water today.
Thanks LilGreePuffer, I will get Prime after work. and will check the water today.
-
LilGreenPuffer
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 5301
- Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:26 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Dwarf puffer - Thumbelina (only mine in my heart now; she lives in CT with my friend)
RIP Inigo Montoya, Fezzik, and Vizinni.
RIP James Bond. - Location (country): United States
- Location: Kentucky
Re: my congo is breathing heavy
Good luck saving the Congo!
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
-
beapeman
- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Sat May 02, 2009 11:26 pm
- My Puffers: 2 red eye puffers(R.I.P)
1 congo puffer(R.I.P) - Location: Toronto
Re: my congo is breathing heavy
I bought the prime after work, did 40% of water change with tetra aqua safe, bio-support and prime in the tank now, and i will do the water test later and see if the water condition is good. i didn't feed the puffers at all. i will wait for tomorrow, congo is now below the filter which is hard to feed him. should i take him out of the tank and put him somewhere so i can easily feed him?
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LilGreenPuffer
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 5301
- Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:26 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Dwarf puffer - Thumbelina (only mine in my heart now; she lives in CT with my friend)
RIP Inigo Montoya, Fezzik, and Vizinni.
RIP James Bond. - Location (country): United States
- Location: Kentucky
Re: my congo is breathing heavy
No, don't move him. Puffers can go for ages without food. Continue to offer food, and removing it if he doesn't come out for it. If he wants the food, he'll come for it. Moving him will only be stressful.
What is Bio-Support?
What is Bio-Support?
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!