Infection of wound on SAP or what?
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.
- lobowind
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 102
- Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 6:39 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Colomesus asellus
Tetraodon schoutedeni
Also kept:
Carinotetraodon salivator
Carinotetraodon travancoricus - Location (country): USA
- Location: New Mexico
Infection of wound on SAP or what?
1. Ph = 6.6
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 10
2. Tank is 220 g freshwater community. Contains 10 SAPS, 2 dwarf cichlids, 6 rainbow botia, 1 small distichodus, 3 albino bristlenose, 3 clown plecos, 6 ottos, 10 choprae danio.
3. Feed snails, blackworms, whiteworms, mysis shrimp. 25% water changes twice a week with RO.
4. Used Jungle Parasite Clear to treat for external parasite (a few white bumps on a couple puffers....not ich) on 19th and 21st. No idea why the parasites showed up as this tank has had no changes for 4.5 months. Followed directions and had no adverse side effects except for this wound area on one poor puffer. We think it was a bite mark either from another puffer or the distichodus, and the wound was previously white....either from another puffer or the distichodus. 2 days after the parasite treatment, the wound looks like this.
5. Aquarium has been set up for 4 years.
We want to help this little one but are unsure of what to do now. Melafix or stronger antibiotic? Or does this look like something else? Any other suggestions? We are in the middle of preparing another tank for the SAPS to inhabit soon (110g), so they can be on their own as a group, but now our main concern is taking care of this poor puffer.
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 10
2. Tank is 220 g freshwater community. Contains 10 SAPS, 2 dwarf cichlids, 6 rainbow botia, 1 small distichodus, 3 albino bristlenose, 3 clown plecos, 6 ottos, 10 choprae danio.
3. Feed snails, blackworms, whiteworms, mysis shrimp. 25% water changes twice a week with RO.
4. Used Jungle Parasite Clear to treat for external parasite (a few white bumps on a couple puffers....not ich) on 19th and 21st. No idea why the parasites showed up as this tank has had no changes for 4.5 months. Followed directions and had no adverse side effects except for this wound area on one poor puffer. We think it was a bite mark either from another puffer or the distichodus, and the wound was previously white....either from another puffer or the distichodus. 2 days after the parasite treatment, the wound looks like this.
5. Aquarium has been set up for 4 years.
We want to help this little one but are unsure of what to do now. Melafix or stronger antibiotic? Or does this look like something else? Any other suggestions? We are in the middle of preparing another tank for the SAPS to inhabit soon (110g), so they can be on their own as a group, but now our main concern is taking care of this poor puffer.
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- pufferpuggirl
- Mbu Puffer
- Posts: 3979
- Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:04 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Puffs & Stuff:
1 x M Abei
1 x M Turgidus
1 x T Palembangensis
1 x M Baileyii
1 x T Schoutedeni
1 x T Leiurus
1 x T Miurus
Rainbow crab
crayfish - Location (country): Yorkshire, GB
- Location: South Yorkshire, UK
Re: Infection of wound on SAP or what?
Wow, 10 SAP's, I bet they are loving that! I'd give the Melafix a try, can't hurt anything. When my Baileyi had bites on him, I used that and it cleared them up nicely. Same thing with my turgidus when he had a big bite on his back, it cleared that up quickly too. 
"Puffer .... man's best friend?"
- lobowind
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 102
- Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 6:39 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Colomesus asellus
Tetraodon schoutedeni
Also kept:
Carinotetraodon salivator
Carinotetraodon travancoricus - Location (country): USA
- Location: New Mexico
Re: Infection of wound on SAP or what?
It's an active tank to say the least!
I've taken another picture from above after removing him from the tank. You can see that the lump sticks out.
I've taken another picture from above after removing him from the tank. You can see that the lump sticks out.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
- pufferpuggirl
- Mbu Puffer
- Posts: 3979
- Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:04 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Puffs & Stuff:
1 x M Abei
1 x M Turgidus
1 x T Palembangensis
1 x M Baileyii
1 x T Schoutedeni
1 x T Leiurus
1 x T Miurus
Rainbow crab
crayfish - Location (country): Yorkshire, GB
- Location: South Yorkshire, UK
Re: Infection of wound on SAP or what?
Indeed I can. Have you felt this wound at all with your hands? If you have, is it hard or soft to the touch?
Does he seem affected by the wound, I mean, is it stopping him from eating, swimming, etc. ?
At least yours are nice and yellow. Mine tend to stay green, for whatever reason.
Does he seem affected by the wound, I mean, is it stopping him from eating, swimming, etc. ?
At least yours are nice and yellow. Mine tend to stay green, for whatever reason.
"Puffer .... man's best friend?"
- lobowind
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 102
- Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 6:39 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Colomesus asellus
Tetraodon schoutedeni
Also kept:
Carinotetraodon salivator
Carinotetraodon travancoricus - Location (country): USA
- Location: New Mexico
Re: Infection of wound on SAP or what?
I tried to feel the wound and ended up getting a nip! Haha! Feisty little thing. I didn't want to use a net because of possibly scratching the wound and making things worse, so I cupped my hands and went underneath the puffer. Everything was fine, but as I slid my fingers toward her side and around her, she turned her head and nailed my thumb! That will teach me!
So even though I failed to determine if it was a hard lump or soft, I was able to see that it resembles an ulcer-type sore. I'm using salt and melafix at this point, but I'm hoping someone can guide me if a stronger antibiotic should be used???
So even though I failed to determine if it was a hard lump or soft, I was able to see that it resembles an ulcer-type sore. I'm using salt and melafix at this point, but I'm hoping someone can guide me if a stronger antibiotic should be used???
- 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: Infection of wound on SAP or what?
See how it looks in a few days, and if it doesn't improve, get something stronger. Do you have a hospital tank?
"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!
- lobowind
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 102
- Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 6:39 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Colomesus asellus
Tetraodon schoutedeni
Also kept:
Carinotetraodon salivator
Carinotetraodon travancoricus - Location (country): USA
- Location: New Mexico
Re: Infection of wound on SAP or what?
Yes, he is separated out from the others now.
- 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: Infection of wound on SAP or what?
Just checking. If you use a stronger antibiotic in a cycled tank, it might kill the biofilter.
"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!
- lobowind
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 102
- Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 6:39 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Colomesus asellus
Tetraodon schoutedeni
Also kept:
Carinotetraodon salivator
Carinotetraodon travancoricus - Location (country): USA
- Location: New Mexico
Re: Infection of wound on SAP or what?
Just giving a quick update....the puffer is on the mend. The wound looks as if it's almost healed, and the lump is not as big. We decided to treat with salt and melafix. A few more days of this and maybe he can be moved back in with the rest of the crew.
- pufferpuggirl
- Mbu Puffer
- Posts: 3979
- Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:04 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Puffs & Stuff:
1 x M Abei
1 x M Turgidus
1 x T Palembangensis
1 x M Baileyii
1 x T Schoutedeni
1 x T Leiurus
1 x T Miurus
Rainbow crab
crayfish - Location (country): Yorkshire, GB
- Location: South Yorkshire, UK
Re: Infection of wound on SAP or what?
That is most excellent news, so glad that things are looking up for the puffer. Well done! 
"Puffer .... man's best friend?"
- 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: Infection of wound on SAP or what?
Woohoo! Great job!
"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!