Hi everybody,
New guy here. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Attached is a picture of Biscuit, my ailing puffer. I noticed that his throat was a little swollen 6 days ago. 5 days ago he nibbled at some food, but did not eat any. He (she?) has not attempted to eat since, most unusual behavior for Biscuit. Since that time the swelling in his throat has grown to about 5x the size it was when I first noticed it and appears to continue to grow. The lack of food is starting to show. 2 days ago I tried "burping" him to dislodge any foreign objects. Surprisingly he welcomed the interaction, swam right into my hand like he knew I was trying to help. When I stroked the swollen spot it didn't feel like coral or shell, it felt fibrous, like it was attached. Nothing was evacuated. I don't know what else to do, and appeal for any help you may have to offer. He's been in the tank for 2.5 years, a happy, healthy and hearty eater. The lump is clearly visible in the photo. His diet includes krill, silversides, mysis, clams, snails, and squid.
I have a fish only 60 gallon tank with a Fluval canister filter, waterfall filter, and CCR Bakpak protein skimmer. Current inhabitants include a 2 foot snowflake moray eel, a 7 year old damsel, and Biscuit. Tank was cycled 13 years ago. I draw my salt water from Scripps pier, through their filtration tanks, and bring the salinity down by mixing it with RO'd fresh water. No recent changes.
I do bi-weekly water changes and the tank has been established for 13 years. I just tested the water with the following results:
NO2 = 0.3 ppm
ammonia = 0 ppm
pH = 8.1
SG = 1.022
If I left anything out please ask. Thank you for your time and consideration. I've gotta say I love this little guy.
Mike
Swelling in throat, not eating
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.
Swelling in throat, not eating
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
yunachin
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 1753
- Joined: Fri Nov 09, 2007 1:33 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: 1x A. Meleagris (Golden)
2x Tetraodon nigroviridis
1x Tetraodon lineatus
1x A. hispidus
2x Takifugu Ocellatus
9x Tetraodon biocellatus
1x Canthigaster solandri
1x Diodon Holocanthus
2x A. nigropunctatus
1x Tetraodon miurus
1x Irrubesco - Location (country): USA
- Location: SC
Re: Swelling in throat, not eating
Oh the poor poor baby. 
It may be that it is a "thyroidal" (Chromaffin tissue) tumor. These can often be treated with administration of iodine through feeding. Have you ever given him vitamins in the past? It could also be a bacterial infection. I am going to pass this thread to Corvus and see what he thinks about it.
It may be that it is a "thyroidal" (Chromaffin tissue) tumor. These can often be treated with administration of iodine through feeding. Have you ever given him vitamins in the past? It could also be a bacterial infection. I am going to pass this thread to Corvus and see what he thinks about it.
E.Ridgeway
-
yunachin
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 1753
- Joined: Fri Nov 09, 2007 1:33 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: 1x A. Meleagris (Golden)
2x Tetraodon nigroviridis
1x Tetraodon lineatus
1x A. hispidus
2x Takifugu Ocellatus
9x Tetraodon biocellatus
1x Canthigaster solandri
1x Diodon Holocanthus
2x A. nigropunctatus
1x Tetraodon miurus
1x Irrubesco - Location (country): USA
- Location: SC
Re: Swelling in throat, not eating
I just remembered that you said he wasn't eating so maybe Corvus can suggest a different way to administer iodine. I am hoping you won't have to tube feed.
E.Ridgeway
Re: Swelling in throat, not eating
thanks Yunachin, the growth has swollen so quickly that I didn't think it could be a tumor. But I also have no experience with them. Judging by his response to my attempted "burping" tube-feeding might not be too bad.
Again, thanks for your input, I appreciate it.
Mike
Again, thanks for your input, I appreciate it.
Mike
-
yunachin
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 1753
- Joined: Fri Nov 09, 2007 1:33 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: 1x A. Meleagris (Golden)
2x Tetraodon nigroviridis
1x Tetraodon lineatus
1x A. hispidus
2x Takifugu Ocellatus
9x Tetraodon biocellatus
1x Canthigaster solandri
1x Diodon Holocanthus
2x A. nigropunctatus
1x Tetraodon miurus
1x Irrubesco - Location (country): USA
- Location: SC
Re: Swelling in throat, not eating
You are welcome.
It could be bacterial like I said. I did send a PM to Corvus so he will respond I am sure as soon as he logs on. He is very knowledgeable and should be able to help a great deal. We will save his little cute face! I have a soft spot for fugus.
It could be bacterial like I said. I did send a PM to Corvus so he will respond I am sure as soon as he logs on. He is very knowledgeable and should be able to help a great deal. We will save his little cute face!
I have a soft spot for fugus.E.Ridgeway
-
Corvus
- Mentor
- Posts: 1405
- Joined: Mon Dec 04, 2006 10:35 am
- Gender: Male
- Location: Planet earth; mostly Germany recently
Re: Swelling in throat, not eating
Did you feed vitamins in the past, what and how often?
I agree, it has grown too fast for a thyroidal tumor.
A bacterial infection (or maybe parasites, e.g. nematodes, although the location of the swelling is not very typical) is more probable.
I'd treat in a hospital tank with an antibiotic (for gram negative bacteria, Maracyn 2) and an antithelmic (depends much on your location what is available).
If no cycled hospital tank is available the treatment can be done as medical baths with 10-20times usual concentrations for 30 min - 1 hour.
Given how fast it grew this does not look good, but I do wish you luck.
I agree, it has grown too fast for a thyroidal tumor.
A bacterial infection (or maybe parasites, e.g. nematodes, although the location of the swelling is not very typical) is more probable.
I'd treat in a hospital tank with an antibiotic (for gram negative bacteria, Maracyn 2) and an antithelmic (depends much on your location what is available).
If no cycled hospital tank is available the treatment can be done as medical baths with 10-20times usual concentrations for 30 min - 1 hour.
Given how fast it grew this does not look good, but I do wish you luck.
Give a man a fish, and he'll eat for a day. Give a fish a man, and he'll eat for weeks.
Re: Swelling in throat, not eating
Hi Corvus, and thank you very much for your help. I've never given any vitamins, just relied on a varied diet.
I have no hospital tank available so I will start treatments with baths tomorrow. Should I do just one a day? Ill see what antithelmic(s) are available, and I'm also going to google that when done typing here
.
BTW, where in Germany are you? Just curious - my girlfriend is German - we'll be spending most of the summer in Hannover.
Thanks again for responding, I'll update this thread with (hopefully) good news.
Mike
I have no hospital tank available so I will start treatments with baths tomorrow. Should I do just one a day? Ill see what antithelmic(s) are available, and I'm also going to google that when done typing here
.BTW, where in Germany are you? Just curious - my girlfriend is German - we'll be spending most of the summer in Hannover.
Thanks again for responding, I'll update this thread with (hopefully) good news.
Mike
-
Corvus
- Mentor
- Posts: 1405
- Joined: Mon Dec 04, 2006 10:35 am
- Gender: Male
- Location: Planet earth; mostly Germany recently
Re: Swelling in throat, not eating
I'd do them once a day.
Near Heidelberg right now.
Good luck!
Near Heidelberg right now.
Good luck!
Give a man a fish, and he'll eat for a day. Give a fish a man, and he'll eat for weeks.
-
Myaj
- Tech Team
- Posts: 4587
- Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2005 12:27 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Bubba, turgidus
Paris, lined burrfish - Location: SE Wisconsin
- Contact:
Re: Swelling in throat, not eating
Oh my, I have nothing much to add as far as advice, but I wish you luck. Its a beautiful puffer you have there.
Keep us updated.
Keep us updated.
Re: Swelling in throat, not eating
Thanks everybody, for both the advice and well-wishes. I've begun treatment per Corvus's advice and will keep you updated.
Mike
Mike
-
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: Swelling in throat, not eating
Good luck!
"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!
-
splitadams
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 122
- Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:13 am
- My Puffers: Milk-Spotted Puffer
- Location: Brisbane, Australia
Re: Swelling in throat, not eating
what type of puffer is he? kinda looks like a milk-spotted?
-
yunachin
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 1753
- Joined: Fri Nov 09, 2007 1:33 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: 1x A. Meleagris (Golden)
2x Tetraodon nigroviridis
1x Tetraodon lineatus
1x A. hispidus
2x Takifugu Ocellatus
9x Tetraodon biocellatus
1x Canthigaster solandri
1x Diodon Holocanthus
2x A. nigropunctatus
1x Tetraodon miurus
1x Irrubesco - Location (country): USA
- Location: SC
-
Corvus
- Mentor
- Posts: 1405
- Joined: Mon Dec 04, 2006 10:35 am
- Gender: Male
- Location: Planet earth; mostly Germany recently
Re: Swelling in throat, not eating
A Chelonodon sp. in my opinion.
Takifugu poecilonotus has large spots with small spots in between, this one only has large spots like a Chelonodon sp.
Takifugu poecilonotus has large spots with small spots in between, this one only has large spots like a Chelonodon sp.
Give a man a fish, and he'll eat for a day. Give a fish a man, and he'll eat for weeks.
-
yunachin
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 1753
- Joined: Fri Nov 09, 2007 1:33 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: 1x A. Meleagris (Golden)
2x Tetraodon nigroviridis
1x Tetraodon lineatus
1x A. hispidus
2x Takifugu Ocellatus
9x Tetraodon biocellatus
1x Canthigaster solandri
1x Diodon Holocanthus
2x A. nigropunctatus
1x Tetraodon miurus
1x Irrubesco - Location (country): USA
- Location: SC
