Figure 8 Puffer parasite (w/ pics)

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bear123
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Figure 8 Puffer parasite (w/ pics)

Post by bear123 »

Hello.

I have a 20 gallon tank and about 1 month ago the tank finished the cycle. I added 2 figure 8 puffers I had been waiting for from the store since they were in the same tank together and got along.

Everything was fine until about 2 weeks ago I noticed a parasite on one of the puffers. Than the ICH came, so both puffers had ich, and one of the puffers had a worm parasite of some sort.
(Thankfully now the ich seems to be subsiding)

Here are some of the pictures I took the of the puffer with the parasite:

Right side of puffer:
Image

Image

Left side of puffer:
Image

Image

These pictures are from a few weeks ago when I first noticed the parasite... I also noticed a few days ago that the parasite on one side of the puffers body has literally moved.. I didn't see the parasite in actual motion, but the worm like, spiral looking lump on the puffer is no longer in the same spot as it was a few days ago. The parasite seems to be making its way from the tail fin of the puffer toward the puffers mid-body.

I read a thread on a different forum about someone with a similar problem and the people responding to it said to use PraziPro which I purchased and have dosed already. Other than that, Im using Garlic Extreme with the food to strengthen the immune system of the fish

any other ideas to help the puffer recover?

Thanks so much...
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Re: Figure 8 Puffer parasite (w/ pics)

Post by Pufferpunk »

Wow, great shot of a nematode! Best you can do is keep him separate from other fish & keep him happy.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

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bear123
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Re: Figure 8 Puffer parasite (w/ pics)

Post by bear123 »

nematode?

Will it go away?

Thanks
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Pufferpunk
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Re: Figure 8 Puffer parasite (w/ pics)

Post by Pufferpunk »

Nope, unless you want to try surgery, it will remain under it's skin. Not much else you can do. It is possible for them to live quite a few years with nematodes.
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!"
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Re: Figure 8 Puffer parasite (w/ pics)

Post by bigfatfish »

PP, what do you think about anaesthetising him to make a tiny nick & getting that thing out? I think I might be inclined to have a try. If he has one though, are there likely to be others?
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Flutter
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Re: Figure 8 Puffer parasite (w/ pics)

Post by Flutter »

I'm interested to know too as that's what I'd be inclined to do too. You'd have to make sure the water was beyond pristine after it though.
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Pufferpunk
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Posts: 32979
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:
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Re: Figure 8 Puffer parasite (w/ pics)

Post by Pufferpunk »

It has been done & there has been success. Puffers with open wounds heal quite well, actually. Yes, there could be more.
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!"
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