Red-Spot Puffer... advice please
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.
-
Lil' Swimz$
- Mbu Puffer
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Re: Red-Spot Puffer... advice please
Oh, I was thinking you had an irrubesco, the TRUE red eye. I like fake plants, too. You have to have fertilizers, and light, it just gets to be too much. Plus, I don't even use my light unless I want to check on them. I'm going to go check out the profile on abei and then get back to ya.
Ha ha, he he! DAncE whEn yoU're HAPpppy! He he he! DAnce, danCE, DANCe!
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Lil' Swimz$
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Re: Red-Spot Puffer... advice please
Uh, sorry, there is nothing you can keep with you abei, very aggressive.
I wouldn't mind feeding the ghost shrimp to the irrubesco, cause I'll have a dozen and they'll have babies.
I wouldn't mind feeding the ghost shrimp to the irrubesco, cause I'll have a dozen and they'll have babies.
Ha ha, he he! DAncE whEn yoU're HAPpppy! He he he! DAnce, danCE, DANCe!
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Pufferpunk
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Re: Red-Spot Puffer... advice please
LS, when did you get red eyes? What about the DPs?
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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Lil' Swimz$
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Re: Red-Spot Puffer... advice please
I don't have them yet! I'm saying I wouldn't mind feeding ghost shrimp to the irrubesco if I had them. I'm hoping to keep a pair in a 30 gallon, after I get it (on August 9th, my b-day!!) and cycle it.
Ha ha, he he! DAncE whEn yoU're HAPpppy! He he he! DAnce, danCE, DANCe!
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LilGreenPuffer
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Re: Red-Spot Puffer... advice please
Why don't you ask for the things for your DPs for your birthday?
"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!
-
LilGreenPuffer
- Former Staff Member
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- 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: Red-Spot Puffer... advice please
P.S. Sorry, redspotowner! I guess we've hijacked your thread...
"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!
-
Lil' Swimz$
- Mbu Puffer
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Re: Red-Spot Puffer... advice please
It doesn't matter, I'm getting the tubing today! Like in 5 minutes!!
Ha ha, he he! DAncE whEn yoU're HAPpppy! He he he! DAnce, danCE, DANCe!
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diverchic
- Green Spotted Puffer
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Re: Red-Spot Puffer... advice please
No Problem with the hijack 
Now, I never said that my red-SPOT was a red-EYE... so no need to go getting speciesist on me ...
I've just spent a very pleasant while on the internet looking at some nice silk plants to use in the aquarium... now just to get paid again so I can afford them!
Be back tomorrow (with the test results)
Now, I never said that my red-SPOT was a red-EYE... so no need to go getting speciesist on me ...
I've just spent a very pleasant while on the internet looking at some nice silk plants to use in the aquarium... now just to get paid again so I can afford them!
Be back tomorrow (with the test results)
-
Lil' Swimz$
- Mbu Puffer
- Posts: 1686
- Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:26 pm
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Re: Red-Spot Puffer... advice please
Whoops, sorry, I guess I just was focusing on the red part. Hijacked? Is that when someone (as in me) starts a new topics? Sorry, redspotowner, I'll stop.
Ha ha, he he! DAncE whEn yoU're HAPpppy! He he he! DAnce, danCE, DANCe!
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diverchic
- Green Spotted Puffer
- Posts: 294
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No puffers since moving to work on a boat but looking to get some again now I am back on land. - Location (country): London, UK
Re: Red-Spot Puffer... advice please
LOL... no problems
I've managed to get my home internet set up so can post the test results from the test done tonight:
NO3 = 10
NO2 = 0
GH = 8d
Kh = 15-20d (water in the area... tried to change that in the shubunkin's tank for months and then gave up)
pH = 6.8 - 7.2 (between the two colours on the test stick)
Cl2 = 0
Tried feeding it a mussel cut into bits and it took a bit of tempting but ate some of them and then went back to it's little corner.
It's belly isn't flat, it's got a slight pooch so I'm assuming it's full? (will be uploading pics shortly)
The only change in the last week is the addition of the puffer... admittedly the tank wasn't set up long before it went in but bf had asked in LFS and they said that, as most of the water came from the shubunkin tank (~85%) and the balance was treated and the test results were okay it was fine to put it in.
Looking at some of the pics in the gallery and then at this puffer's tank it's looking rather open and exposed so maybe it'll perk up once the silk plants I'm ordering tomorrow arrive and are put in.
It's just sooo cute I want to make sure it's a happy and healthy puffer!
I've managed to get my home internet set up so can post the test results from the test done tonight:
NO3 = 10
NO2 = 0
GH = 8d
Kh = 15-20d (water in the area... tried to change that in the shubunkin's tank for months and then gave up)
pH = 6.8 - 7.2 (between the two colours on the test stick)
Cl2 = 0
Tried feeding it a mussel cut into bits and it took a bit of tempting but ate some of them and then went back to it's little corner.
It's belly isn't flat, it's got a slight pooch so I'm assuming it's full? (will be uploading pics shortly)
The only change in the last week is the addition of the puffer... admittedly the tank wasn't set up long before it went in but bf had asked in LFS and they said that, as most of the water came from the shubunkin tank (~85%) and the balance was treated and the test results were okay it was fine to put it in.
Looking at some of the pics in the gallery and then at this puffer's tank it's looking rather open and exposed so maybe it'll perk up once the silk plants I'm ordering tomorrow arrive and are put in.
It's just sooo cute I want to make sure it's a happy and healthy puffer!
-
Lil' Swimz$
- Mbu Puffer
- Posts: 1686
- Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:26 pm
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Re: Red-Spot Puffer... advice please
What is NO3? Where is the 3rd test?
Ha ha, he he! DAncE whEn yoU're HAPpppy! He he he! DAnce, danCE, DANCe!
-
Lil' Swimz$
- Mbu Puffer
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- Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:26 pm
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Re: Red-Spot Puffer... advice please
Ah, did some research and it goes ammonia - nitrites- nitrates. I'm guessing ammonia is NO1, nitrites NO2, nitrates NO3. (Someone, please prove me wrong ) If nitrates is NO3 then thats fine. But if NO3 is nitrites then that could be the problem, or even worse, ammonia is NO3. If its nitrites or ammonia then your tank is still cycling. Don't quote me because I am just guessing.
) If nitrates is NO3 then thats fine. But if NO3 is nitrites then that could be the problem, or even worse, ammonia is NO3. If its nitrites or ammonia then your tank is still cycling. Don't quote me because I am just guessing. Ha ha, he he! DAncE whEn yoU're HAPpppy! He he he! DAnce, danCE, DANCe!
-
diverchic
- Green Spotted Puffer
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No puffers since moving to work on a boat but looking to get some again now I am back on land. - Location (country): London, UK
Re: Red-Spot Puffer... advice please
NO2 - Nitrite - 0
NO3 - Nitrate - 10
both results are "OK" going by the test kit.
Cl2 - chlorine... it doesn't appear to have a separate ammonia test
is that something different than chlorine? (is that a REALLY stupid question?)
NO3 - Nitrate - 10
both results are "OK" going by the test kit.
Cl2 - chlorine... it doesn't appear to have a separate ammonia test
is that something different than chlorine? (is that a REALLY stupid question?)-
Lil' Swimz$
- Mbu Puffer
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Re: Red-Spot Puffer... advice please
Thanks for clearing that up for me. Yes, nitrates at 10 are okay. Ah, that's not a REALLY stupid question, 'but kinda a you don't know what THAT is' thing. Ammonia is the first step in the nitrogen cycle, and is the most toxic. It goes ammonia (the most toxic), bacteria converts it into nitrites (pretty toxic, but not as bad as ammonia), bacteria converts that into nitrates (toxic, but not nearly as bad as ammonia) which is removed in water changes.
Ha ha, he he! DAncE whEn yoU're HAPpppy! He he he! DAnce, danCE, DANCe!
-
LilGreenPuffer
- Former Staff Member
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- 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: Red-Spot Puffer... advice please
Read the article on fishless cycling in the Library. That should clear things up.
"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!