I recently purchased two F8's, I had them shipped in from Florida to Kentucky...When they arrived I noticed that the largest one had most of his dorsal fin eaten off..Most of my puffers come to me with nipped fins but this one is really bad...I'm afraid he has an infection! The area surrounding the dorsal fin is very light colored...Tomorrow I will drive two towns over to get some MelaFix but there isn't much I can do tonight...Any suggestions on making him more comfortable? The F8's were kept in FW (of course) and I've not started the brackish water change over just yet (giving them time to settle in) I'm planning on adding some salt to his water to relieve stress and hopefully help make him feel a little bit better... Anyone have some other suggestions? Do you think his fin will grow back? It's almost compleatly gone!
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite- 0
Nitrates- 10
PH- high as usuall
Salinity- none as of now
55 gallon with two F8's and a few pond snails
Feeding- Snails, bloodworms, squid, krill (did start a deworming schedule) Jungle Deworming pellets soaked overnight with food.
No changes to the tank within the last week
Tank has been running for approx. 6 months- used fishless cycle.
Help with injured F8....**Contains Graphic Photos**
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.
-
busybones
- Fahaka Puffer
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Help with injured F8....**Contains Graphic Photos**
Last edited by busybones on Mon Nov 16, 2009 11:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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LilGreenPuffer
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Re: Help with injured F8....
First, as a fellow Kentuckian, let me say I relate on the pH matter.
Okay, about the fish, I think it will grow back, but even if it doesn't, it won't be too huge a deal because puffers use mainly their pectorals and tail. Adding salt will help a lot. It'll be good for him to get out of FW, of course, but the change in salt concentration will kill off harmful bacteria.
Make sure he has secure hiding spots, turn off the lights, and leave him alone to settle in. His swimming is probably a little impaired right now, and he'll be very uncomfortable in a new location while he's not at 100%.
How far the heck away are you from Melafix? Dang, I've got some if you need it. I have an inch or so left in one bottle, plus a new one.
Okay, about the fish, I think it will grow back, but even if it doesn't, it won't be too huge a deal because puffers use mainly their pectorals and tail. Adding salt will help a lot. It'll be good for him to get out of FW, of course, but the change in salt concentration will kill off harmful bacteria.
Make sure he has secure hiding spots, turn off the lights, and leave him alone to settle in. His swimming is probably a little impaired right now, and he'll be very uncomfortable in a new location while he's not at 100%.
How far the heck away are you from Melafix? Dang, I've got some if you need it. I have an inch or so left in one bottle, plus a new one.
"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!
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pufferpuggirl
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Re: Help with injured F8....
I firmly believe that, with using the Melafix, your puffer's fin will grow back, I've seen some that look really bad, but they can get better.
Good luck with your F8
Good luck with your F8
"Puffer .... man's best friend?"
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busybones
- Fahaka Puffer
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Re: Help with injured F8....
I have to drive from Montgomery to Fayette county in order to get it! I had planned on ordering it but it wouldn't get here soon enough, bla. Poor little guy, he is having problems swimmingHow far the heck away are you from Melafix?
I hope he will be ok.-
LilGreenPuffer
- Former Staff Member
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Re: Help with injured F8....
If Scott is any closer and you need anything that I have in a rush, drop me a PM.
"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!
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busybones
- Fahaka Puffer
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- Location: Kentucky
Re: Help with injured F8....
I really appreciate it LGP! I found some at my local Wally world (they don't carry live fish but had the meds) I really don't think my F8 is going to make it he really can't get around very well and I've had to pry him off the filter twice. I'm debating on having my husband "do something" about it...I'm pretty sad but I think there is no way he'll pull through. The whole end of his body looks infected and pink like. He isn't eating and kind of stops breathing for short periods of time. Do you think I should let him go on his own? He looks so bad. And I have no idea how to euthanize him humainly. Ugg I hate this.
After I got the MelaFix I did a 50% WC on the tank and added the amount suggested on the bottle. 1 tsp per 10 gallons. Didn't seem to help him at all.
he really can't get around very well and I've had to pry him off the filter twice. I'm debating on having my husband "do something" about it...I'm pretty sad but I think there is no way he'll pull through. The whole end of his body looks infected and pink like. He isn't eating and kind of stops breathing for short periods of time. Do you think I should let him go on his own? He looks so bad. And I have no idea how to euthanize him humainly. Ugg I hate this.After I got the MelaFix I did a 50% WC on the tank and added the amount suggested on the bottle. 1 tsp per 10 gallons. Didn't seem to help him at all.
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LilGreenPuffer
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- Location: Kentucky
Re: Help with injured F8....
Wow. Yeah, at this point, I'd euthanize. You can put him in a bowl of water in the freezer, then wait until the water's frozen solid. It's an easy death. There are quicker and more violent ways, but this is probably the best way for everyone involved.
"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!
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busybones
- Fahaka Puffer
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- Location: Kentucky
Re: Help with injured F8....
I did some research and that's pretty much what everyone else says to do. I'm going to take some photos of him to show the severity of the infection. Do you think it would be approriate to show them on the post?
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LilGreenPuffer
- Former Staff Member
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RIP Inigo Montoya, Fezzik, and Vizinni.
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- Location: Kentucky
Re: Help with injured F8....
Sure. If it's graphic, edit the title of the post to say so, in case someone has a weak stomach, but I don't see any reason why it would be INappropriate.
"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!
-
busybones
- Fahaka Puffer
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(1)T.nigroviridis-GSP~ 55 gal - Location (country): USA
- Location: Kentucky
Re: Help with injured F8....
I agree just didn't want to upset anyone. I think that it may help people who have a similar problem...on a lighter note the smaller F8 is doing well and seems to be faily healthy.
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LilGreenPuffer
- Former Staff Member
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RIP Inigo Montoya, Fezzik, and Vizinni.
RIP James Bond. - Location (country): United States
- Location: Kentucky
Re: Help with injured F8....
That's good.
"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!
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busybones
- Fahaka Puffer
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- Location: Kentucky
Re: Help with injured F8....**Contains Graphic Photos**
I had to euthanize the F8. He was very near death at this point and felt I had no other options. I hope this doesn't upset anyone too bad but the photos may help someone with a similar problem.
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Eager Newbie
- Figure 8 Puffer
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Re: Help with injured F8....**Contains Graphic Photos**
Sorry for your loss
Best of luck with your other F8
Best of luck with your other F8
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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: Help with injured F8....**Contains Graphic Photos**
Poor thing.
"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!
-
busybones
- Fahaka Puffer
- Posts: 738
- Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2009 12:46 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: ******
(1)T. lineatus-Fahaka~Pookie 125 gal
(1)M. turgidus- Brown Puffer~Rowdy 30 gal
(1)T.nigroviridis-GSP~ 55 gal - Location (country): USA
- Location: Kentucky
Re: Help with injured F8....**Contains Graphic Photos**
I was amazed at how quickly it spread. I picked him up Sat and by sunday he looked like this you can really tell how bad the bite was in photo #3. Very red and swollen. This is the first Puff i've lost in about two years I hope the last.
you can really tell how bad the bite was in photo #3. Very red and swollen. This is the first Puff i've lost in about two years I hope the last.