URGENT HELP 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.
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SammyDee
- Mbu Puffer
- Posts: 1073
- Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:50 am
- Gender: Male
- My Puffers: 55g (2) GSP, (2) Maroon Clownfish, (1) blue damsel, And some soft corals and 1 Nem
45g FW community
20g snail and shrimp breeding tank for puffers - Location (country): USA USA USA USA
- Location: Detroit, Michigan
Re: URGENT HELP PLEASE
well shouldn't they? He said he is 3-4 inches big.
"DREAM AS IF YOU'LL LIVE FOREVER, LIVE AS IF YOU'L DIE TODAY' -JAMES DEAN
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Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
- Posts: 32975
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Puffers I have kept:
T lineatus
T miurus
A modestus
T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
C lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
- Location: Greenville, SC
- Contact:
Re: URGENT HELP PLEASE
Shouldn't they what? Keep it in BW?
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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SammyDee
- Mbu Puffer
- Posts: 1073
- Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:50 am
- Gender: Male
- My Puffers: 55g (2) GSP, (2) Maroon Clownfish, (1) blue damsel, And some soft corals and 1 Nem
45g FW community
20g snail and shrimp breeding tank for puffers - Location (country): USA USA USA USA
- Location: Detroit, Michigan
Re: URGENT HELP PLEASE
yes
"DREAM AS IF YOU'LL LIVE FOREVER, LIVE AS IF YOU'L DIE TODAY' -JAMES DEAN
Re: URGENT HELP PLEASE
Cause a MBU is total freshwater and most pet stores don't even keep fish that are suppose to be in brackish in that. Bottom line it would be very strange if this fish was kept in anything but freshwater, but not so strange that brackish water fish are kept in freshwater at the LFS. Did that just make sense?
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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: URGENT HELP PLEASE
Also, he would have shown the effects of shock right away, wouldn't he? It's been a bit since the puffer was bought, correct?
"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!
-
flash.dan
- Green Spotted Puffer
- Posts: 433
- Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2008 9:50 am
- My Puffers: 8 years of FW puffer care!
currently have 1x mbu
Bubba 17" gentle giant... loves a belly tickle.
2x Suvatti Pair
1x Carinotetraodon borneensis - Location: Coventry, UK
Re: URGENT HELP PLEASE
the picture of how the mbu has been sitting and its anus doesnt look good to me. only time ive seen anus enlarged like that is when my mbus have constupation sometimews IP's cause that look also?? still ive only seenmbus lye on there side if something is very wrong. i wish you all the best of luck all my fish are at a lfs at the moment im worrying about them they had to go there during a move
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Dadof4
- Tech Team
- Posts: 2862
- Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 5:50 am
- Gender: Male
- My Puffers: 1 GSP (Microfiche) RIP, 1 Monotrete Turgidus (Leon) in a 30gal. 1 Monotrete suvattii in a 40 gal FW. 120 gallon BW with 3 juvenile Dragon Gobies (so cool). 55 gal with a 2" GSP named Hank. 180 gallon being set up for a Fahaka in the next few months!
- Location (country): United States
- Location: North Wisconsin
Re: URGENT HELP PLEASE
From the looks of the picture and what I know about Puffer anatomy it looks like he has some sort of blockage, more than likely from constipation. Is it possible it's the MTS? Yes it's possible. What to do? I'd treat him with Epsom salt to make sure things are still passing and see if he eliminates the blockage, whether it is the MTS or not. You do need to use Epsom salt and not the Aqualibrium salt. Aqualibrium is a well balanced tonic salt used to help soothe things like swim bladder and general irritation problems (actually pretty good stuff for a basic aquarium salt). Epsom Salts are used to increase gastrointestinal motility (get things moving) because they contain high amounts of Magnesium, actually Epsom Salt is Magnesium Sulfate. Magnesium Sulfate also pulls water in to the large intestine making it easier for the fish to eliminate feces.
"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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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: URGENT HELP PLEASE
I just wanted to say that I have read this entire thread and feel absolutely gutted. 
That picture of the puffer laying on it's side has me heart-broken! I'm sorry I can't offer any concrete information that may help you, but I am praying for a good outcome and really hope that your puffer makes a full and complete recovery.
That picture of the puffer laying on it's side has me heart-broken! I'm sorry I can't offer any concrete information that may help you, but I am praying for a good outcome and really hope that your puffer makes a full and complete recovery.
"Puffer .... man's best friend?"
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Dadof4
- Tech Team
- Posts: 2862
- Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 5:50 am
- Gender: Male
- My Puffers: 1 GSP (Microfiche) RIP, 1 Monotrete Turgidus (Leon) in a 30gal. 1 Monotrete suvattii in a 40 gal FW. 120 gallon BW with 3 juvenile Dragon Gobies (so cool). 55 gal with a 2" GSP named Hank. 180 gallon being set up for a Fahaka in the next few months!
- Location (country): United States
- Location: North Wisconsin
Re: URGENT HELP PLEASE
Yeah, what she said.....the picture really tore me up too.schismy007 wrote:I just wanted to say that I have read this entire thread and feel absolutely gutted.
That picture of the puffer laying on it's side has me heart-broken! I'm sorry I can't offer any concrete information that may help you, but I am praying for a good outcome and really hope that your puffer makes a full and complete recovery.
"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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Puffdaddyuk
- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2009 3:50 pm
- My Puffers: MBU Puffer aka Puffdaddy
- Location (country): England
- Location: Kent
Re: URGENT HELP PLEASE
Hello All,
Well the story so far is, After sitting infront of my laptop scanning hundreds of websites and seeking council from here, I decided to call my Vet (for my dog) who has a guy there big into his aquariums and weve spoken for ages when I take my Lab down for his jabs about all kinds of aquarium related stuff. He recommended I take him to a LFS who had a specialist guy there who may be able to help, after speaking with him he advised I take him there and he'll setup a quaratined tank for him and he'll monitor him and see if he can source whats wrong.
So I did, he's had puffdaddy over the weekend now and what he's found out sofar is that he passed (poo'd) out the Trumpet Snail whole
about 3/4inch long and approx 3 hours later started swimming properly and looking abit better. He has the occassional twitch where he lays on he's side but things are looking up.
When I asked what he had done and what he added into his tank he replied, nothing otherthan feeding him peas on a cocktail stick, he said if it hadnt had helped he was going to go down the chemical route to try and help him.
So it was the snail causing constispation?? I replied, he confirmed that it was looking 99% sure that it was the snail causing his issues, but wanted to keep him in for another couple of days just to monitor him.
I am so glad that he's making a recovery, everywhere I looked for info / help couldnt really nail the diagnosis on the head, and with so many suggestions it was making everything so confusing.
Anyway, Ill report in again when I get him home to let you know how he's getting on.
Thankyou ever so much for the kind PM's and messages left on this post and thanks to those that tried to help, its really helped.
Ill update in a couple of days.
Cheers
Well the story so far is, After sitting infront of my laptop scanning hundreds of websites and seeking council from here, I decided to call my Vet (for my dog) who has a guy there big into his aquariums and weve spoken for ages when I take my Lab down for his jabs about all kinds of aquarium related stuff. He recommended I take him to a LFS who had a specialist guy there who may be able to help, after speaking with him he advised I take him there and he'll setup a quaratined tank for him and he'll monitor him and see if he can source whats wrong.
So I did, he's had puffdaddy over the weekend now and what he's found out sofar is that he passed (poo'd) out the Trumpet Snail whole
about 3/4inch long and approx 3 hours later started swimming properly and looking abit better. He has the occassional twitch where he lays on he's side but things are looking up.When I asked what he had done and what he added into his tank he replied, nothing otherthan feeding him peas on a cocktail stick, he said if it hadnt had helped he was going to go down the chemical route to try and help him.
So it was the snail causing constispation?? I replied, he confirmed that it was looking 99% sure that it was the snail causing his issues, but wanted to keep him in for another couple of days just to monitor him.
I am so glad that he's making a recovery, everywhere I looked for info / help couldnt really nail the diagnosis on the head, and with so many suggestions it was making everything so confusing.
Anyway, Ill report in again when I get him home to let you know how he's getting on.
Thankyou ever so much for the kind PM's and messages left on this post and thanks to those that tried to help, its really helped.
Ill update in a couple of days.
Cheers
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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: URGENT HELP PLEASE
Add this to yet another of the many reasons MTS snails should not be kept with puffers.
I had a similar thing happen to one of my SAP's, but it was a box elder beetle that fell in the tank, and it did not pass. Autopsy after death, the entire beetle was undigested and stuck.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed nothing internally was damaged too much by the passing of the snail! Keep us updated.
( and I told you to feed peas LOL)
I had a similar thing happen to one of my SAP's, but it was a box elder beetle that fell in the tank, and it did not pass. Autopsy after death, the entire beetle was undigested and stuck.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed nothing internally was damaged too much by the passing of the snail! Keep us updated.
( and I told you to feed peas LOL)
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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: URGENT HELP PLEASE
I'm glad that it seems you've found the reason for your puffer's illness, and I hope he continues to improve! Very good news (and I have been praying too!). 
I tried to tell someone not to feed their puffer MTS and they said it was all old wives tales about them being bad for puffers. Well I'd rather be safe than sorry, so I've always stayed away from them. All it takes is one and that proves the theory is right. I'm not prepared to take that chance and jeopardise my puffer's health.
Go Puffdaddy go!
I tried to tell someone not to feed their puffer MTS and they said it was all old wives tales about them being bad for puffers. Well I'd rather be safe than sorry, so I've always stayed away from them. All it takes is one and that proves the theory is right. I'm not prepared to take that chance and jeopardise my puffer's health.
Go Puffdaddy go!
"Puffer .... man's best friend?"
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Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
- Posts: 32975
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Puffers I have kept:
T lineatus
T miurus
A modestus
T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
C lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
- Location: Greenville, SC
- Contact:
Re: URGENT HELP PLEASE
Probably something more peas & Epsom salt would have cured. I'm really glad he's OK. This is why it's best to feed snails only as big as their eye or crush them. Not that I don't think this guy watching him doesn't know what he's doing but just be sure he is doing daily WC on that QT.
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: URGENT HELP PLEASE
Wow. I would never have expected that. All the way to the end, I thought it had to be something else. Wow! I'm so glad he's improving!!!
"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!
-
Puffdaddyuk
- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2009 3:50 pm
- My Puffers: MBU Puffer aka Puffdaddy
- Location (country): England
- Location: Kent
Re: URGENT HELP PLEASE
Hi All
Havent been on for a while, backed up with work etc.
thought Id give you an update.
Puffdaddy is absolutley fine since weve had him back, ive been monitoring his Water conditions and his feeding and he id doing great, I introduced LARGE ramshorn snails back into his diet and he loves them, everything is going well for the little dude.
Oh and have been watching his tank for MTS's but thankfully none so far lol.
So thats about all I can tell you really, he's back live and kicking and quickly getting his funny old character back.
Thanks for the help guys, was much appreciated.
Take Care
Dan
Havent been on for a while, backed up with work etc.
thought Id give you an update.
Puffdaddy is absolutley fine since weve had him back, ive been monitoring his Water conditions and his feeding and he id doing great, I introduced LARGE ramshorn snails back into his diet and he loves them, everything is going well for the little dude.
Oh and have been watching his tank for MTS's but thankfully none so far lol.
So thats about all I can tell you really, he's back live and kicking and quickly getting his funny old character back.
Thanks for the help guys, was much appreciated.
Take Care
Dan