He's still not eating. The last time he ate must have been Sunday morning. How long can he go before starving to death?
I keep changing the water but it's seeming to have no effect. Very demoralising. Is that really the only solution? Keep changing and changing and changing? I'll do it, but I don't know how much longer the puffer can go with starving.
GSP rescue
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.
Re: GSP rescue
Can you get a picture so we can see how thin it is? Fish can go much longer than we can without eating.
It is absurd to talk of one animal being higher than another. We consider those, when the cerebral structure/intellectual faculties most developed, as highest. A bee doubtless would when the instincts were.
Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin
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bertie 83
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Re: GSP rescue
Keep changing yes really is your only solution you will get there as many big 50% + changes as you can do in a day. You should find he will all of a sudden perk up soon just keep going
It's amazing how easy maintenance is. If done regularly and thoroughly
Re: GSP rescue
Can't really get a good picture of him but he's looking very thin. Belly not protruding. Parasites maybe?
I'll continue with the water changes tonight. How long should I leave between each water change?
I'll continue with the water changes tonight. How long should I leave between each water change?
Re: GSP rescue
This is the best photo I could take. He appears quite thin, as you can see.
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LilGreenPuffer
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Re: GSP rescue
He's a little underweight, but not dying of malnourishment.
Have you checked your tap water for ammonia and nitrite? That could explain why water changes don't make him feel better.
Have you checked your tap water for ammonia and nitrite? That could explain why water changes don't make him feel better.
"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!
Re: GSP rescue
Checked the tap water as it comes.
The nitrite, nitrate and ammonia levels are pretty much the same as the tank's. The results are the same as the pictures I posted.
I guess that means the water changes wont help much more?
Should I use another water source? Bottles of spring water or something?
Tomorrow I'll get some parasite treatment, as he appears to be showing the signs of carrying them, plus treating him for them just in case can't hurt.
The nitrite, nitrate and ammonia levels are pretty much the same as the tank's. The results are the same as the pictures I posted.
I guess that means the water changes wont help much more?
Should I use another water source? Bottles of spring water or something?
Tomorrow I'll get some parasite treatment, as he appears to be showing the signs of carrying them, plus treating him for them just in case can't hurt.
-
Pufferpunk
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T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
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Re: GSP rescue
Try feeding him a live earthworm or Ghost shrimp. Earthworms are way healthier though.
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!"
Re: GSP rescue
I only have bloodworm and live mealworm for now. He's not acknowledging it at all when I put it in.
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Nuclear_Glitter
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Re: GSP rescue
The strips won't give you much of an accurate description on water, so get the liquid test kit as soon as you can. Now, since you don't know the correct readings of your tap water then yes, I'd suggest gallons of water from the store. However, just keep in mind you will have to be buying a lot and changing a lot.
If in the long run you can afford it I recommend buying an RO/DI system from bulkreefsupply.com or somewhere because your tap water may just not be healthy.
If in the long run you can afford it I recommend buying an RO/DI system from bulkreefsupply.com or somewhere because your tap water may just not be healthy.
"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." -- Henry Ford
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bertie 83
- Moderator
- Posts: 5298
- Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2011 4:28 pm
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Non puffer
Danios, Tetras, Redtail Rasporas,
Harlequins, CAE's, Yoyo
Loaches, Clown loaches ,Eels, various shrimp, tangs,wrasses, damsels, chromis - Location (country): Brighton, England
- Location: brighton , england
Re: GSP rescue
dig up some earthworms from garden and wash thoroughly?
It's amazing how easy maintenance is. If done regularly and thoroughly
-
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: GSP rescue
Yes, spring water would probably be a very good idea for now. Avoid distilled or reverse osmosis water for the time being; those require special treatment to make them safe.Valentine wrote:Checked the tap water as it comes.
The nitrite, nitrate and ammonia levels are pretty much the same as the tank's. The results are the same as the pictures I posted.
I guess that means the water changes wont help much more?
Should I use another water source? Bottles of spring water or something?
Tomorrow I'll get some parasite treatment, as he appears to be showing the signs of carrying them, plus treating him for them just in case can't hurt.
If you can get Prime dechlorinator, that'll detoxify ammonia and nitrite for you. It's a great product. My water is like yours, and I always use it.
"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!
Re: GSP rescue
Ordered some Prime. My local aquarium only stocks Nutrafin Aqua plus.
Could it be parasites at all?
This is very stressful, haha! Demoralising.
Could it be parasites at all?
This is very stressful, haha! Demoralising.
-
bertie 83
- Moderator
- Posts: 5298
- Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2011 4:28 pm
- Gender: Male
- My Puffers: lineatus R.I.P, South American puffer. Valentini puffer, porcupine puffer.
Non puffer
Danios, Tetras, Redtail Rasporas,
Harlequins, CAE's, Yoyo
Loaches, Clown loaches ,Eels, various shrimp, tangs,wrasses, damsels, chromis - Location (country): Brighton, England
- Location: brighton , england
Re: GSP rescue
thats a possibility also.
It's amazing how easy maintenance is. If done regularly and thoroughly
-
Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
- Posts: 32987
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
- Gender: Female
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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: GSP rescue
Forget mealworms, their hard skin (chiton) is undigestable.
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!"