Labored Breathing
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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Srkoe
- Fahaka Puffer
- Posts: 770
- Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 2:46 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: 1 Fahaka "Ares"
2 GSP "Wally"&"Marty"
6 Dwarfs "the peas"
2 Figure 8 "Fugu"&"Gizzard"
1 Honeycomb Toby "Ashera"
2 Congo "P-Nut"&"Bevo"
1 mystery puffer (turgidus?)"Manson" - Location (country): United States
Re: Labored Breathing
You can get an inexpensive powerhead from Petco for like $15, they also carry salt and hydrometers. Just don't ask the employees for advice.
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Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
- Posts: 32976
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Puffers I have kept:
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DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
- Location: Greenville, SC
- Contact:
Re: Labored Breathing
Srkoe, Let's not confuse this gal with too much info. Right now, she's got to get the water parameters better. The puffer is probably suffering from ammonia poisoning. She can make the larger tank 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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signnet
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 159
- Joined: Sun May 22, 2011 11:35 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: 2 GSP's
1 Orange Saddleback Fucca - Location (country): USA
- Location: Coral Springs, FL
Re: Labored Breathing
WOW, ok....I changed 75% of water, dropped 20 drops in, filled the tank back up. Do I keep the filter in or out?
Also, will Big Al's fish store have a hydrometer and all of those other items? Also get a test kit, marine salt too
Also, will Big Al's fish store have a hydrometer and all of those other items? Also get a test kit, marine salt too
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Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
- Posts: 32976
- 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: Labored Breathing
Yes, of course you keep in the filter. What kind is it? Does the puffer look any better?
Yes, Big Al's should have everything you need, even a bigger tank! Have you been reading those links?
Yes, Big Al's should have everything you need, even a bigger tank! Have you been reading those links?
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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signnet
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 159
- Joined: Sun May 22, 2011 11:35 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: 2 GSP's
1 Orange Saddleback Fucca - Location (country): USA
- Location: Coral Springs, FL
Re: Labored Breathing
Puffer right now is NO LONGER sitting on bottom. She is swimming aroundwith other one.
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signnet
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 159
- Joined: Sun May 22, 2011 11:35 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: 2 GSP's
1 Orange Saddleback Fucca - Location (country): USA
- Location: Coral Springs, FL
Re: Labored Breathing
Yes read part of the link and by the way, I am a "She" person. Name is Cheryl. The filter is a blue filter with charcoal. Keep in or out? She looks a lot better and breathing a little better not entirely great, but better....you are simply amazing. My list for tomorrow is READ and
Hydrometer
Marine Salt
Powerhead
Test Kit
I already have PRIME
Bigger tank
Lots of filtration
Hydrometer
Marine Salt
Powerhead
Test Kit
I already have PRIME
Bigger tank
Lots of filtration
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Srkoe
- Fahaka Puffer
- Posts: 770
- Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 2:46 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: 1 Fahaka "Ares"
2 GSP "Wally"&"Marty"
6 Dwarfs "the peas"
2 Figure 8 "Fugu"&"Gizzard"
1 Honeycomb Toby "Ashera"
2 Congo "P-Nut"&"Bevo"
1 mystery puffer (turgidus?)"Manson" - Location (country): United States
Re: Labored Breathing
When you get a new filter Aqua Clear filters are a good choice, the bigger the better. Glad to hear your puffer is looking better. Puffer Punk isn't so shabby...lol! 
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Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
- Posts: 32976
- 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: Labored Breathing
Duh... IDK why I always FAIL to read the sex of the posters, except not everyone bothers to add that to their profile. You might want to change "My Puffers" on there too.
I'm glad the puffer is feeling better. If you've got the $$$, add an Aquaclear 110 to your list. A lot of this stuff can be purchased online & see if you have something like Craigslist in your area for a used tank. How big are the puffers now?
I'm glad the puffer is feeling better. If you've got the $$$, add an Aquaclear 110 to your list.
A lot of this stuff can be purchased online & see if you have something like Craigslist in your area for a used tank. How big are the puffers now?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!"
-
signnet
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 159
- Joined: Sun May 22, 2011 11:35 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: 2 GSP's
1 Orange Saddleback Fucca - Location (country): USA
- Location: Coral Springs, FL
Re: Labored Breathing
I have Aqua Clear on all my other tanks as well as this one, just not that big of one on this tank. Will get a bigger tank and then a bigger filter. Puffers were really tiny at first, but grew to the size of an inch and a half now. Nice fish, somewhere I read someone was feeding their puffers baby frozen peas. Another person said to feed them snails everyday because of their teeth. It has been great that I have had no problem for almost 6 months, guess after all of your help and expertise, I will re-click on the link again later oday and read, read, read. I guess I will turn in tonight and check her out later in the morning ten go shopping. You people are WONDERFUL!!! Just such a wealth of knowledge and the best group I have ever talked to. I couldn't have done i without you and my Puffers thank you totally!!!!!
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Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
- Posts: 32976
- 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: Labored Breathing
They will reward you for your great care with a long life (can live into their teens) & puppydog-like love back!
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!"
-
signnet
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 159
- Joined: Sun May 22, 2011 11:35 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: 2 GSP's
1 Orange Saddleback Fucca - Location (country): USA
- Location: Coral Springs, FL
Re: Labored Breathing
I assume I can come back in later and keep reading and write my list for shopping. I think at 2:30AM I am going to bed so I can take my kids to school at 7:00. Again, I could not have done this without any of you and thanks PufferPunk for sticking with me through this whole ordeal. You're the BEST!!!!! I will let you know how she is later in the afternoon
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Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
- Posts: 32976
- 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: Labored Breathing
Yeah, let's see your list in the morning, after you've doe all that reading. I'm going to bed too.
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!"
-
Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
- Posts: 32976
- 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: Labored Breathing
How's the puffer today? did you try offering it any foods?
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!"
-
signnet
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 159
- Joined: Sun May 22, 2011 11:35 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: 2 GSP's
1 Orange Saddleback Fucca - Location (country): USA
- Location: Coral Springs, FL
Re: Labored Breathing
The one puffer is still fine. The other is still puffed and not eating. Tried coaxing her but no takers. Water temp is 78 degrees and I am on my way to get testing equipment. Worked a deal with a gentleman selling his tank. He has a complete setup by Via Aqua Aquariums. Meaning comes with a built-in filters and lighting system that go on top of the tank. The tank is 32.5L X 17.5 W X 18 H making it a 45 gallon setup. The stand is included in the price. Has dark gravel for salt water fish in it.
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signnet
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 159
- Joined: Sun May 22, 2011 11:35 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: 2 GSP's
1 Orange Saddleback Fucca - Location (country): USA
- Location: Coral Springs, FL
Re: Labored Breathing
I also read the articles you gave me links to. SG of 1.005 to 10 or medium Puffers 1.010 to 15.
0 for Amonia
0 for Nitrates
Nitrate Air below 20 (Not sure I saw how that's measured unless it is in the same Hydrometer.
It also said 50% water change weekly
Petco has all of the supplies. Not sure why I need the powerhead as I read the instructions, I assume to run the water in the bucket(s) overnight to mix the Marine salt. So I use this solution every week for the water change.
0 for Amonia
0 for Nitrates
Nitrate Air below 20 (Not sure I saw how that's measured unless it is in the same Hydrometer.
It also said 50% water change weekly
Petco has all of the supplies. Not sure why I need the powerhead as I read the instructions, I assume to run the water in the bucket(s) overnight to mix the Marine salt. So I use this solution every week for the water change.