got a doozie:

[J-P]

From Neale at wwm:

Subject: Puffer stung by a lion fish treatment

Hello Gang,
I have a question that is more of general interest that actual experience.
<Okay.>
A number of people have requested aid for their puffers because of a lion fish sting. I KNOW this combo is not a good choice, but was wondering what the treatment would be. In humans it is heat / hot water. Would that work with fish for a "dip"?
<No. It works on humans only to the degree heat denatures the proteins that make up the poison. It isn't a cure as such, and reduces rather than stops pain.> Or would it just add to the trauma?
<Assuredly yes. The heat required would "cook" the Pufferfish.>
Any thoughts on secondary infections and antibacterial treatment?
<Yes; don't combine the two species. They don't belong together and aren't safely kept together. If you keep them in separate tanks you should find things work out beautifully. Couldn't be simpler.>
Thanks in advance J-P
<Cheers, Neale.>

so the answer is ... pending... still no answer from Kelly at MD either.

[J-P]

this is really starting to tick me off.... (some times I think why bother?) They will do what they want to...

not only the fact that these ppl keep the fish together, but the fact that there is such lack of knowledge out there. When talking about captive fish in this way, we're talking about minutes, not hours or days before treatment begins.

It breaks my heart, but according to the keeper:

J-P: "What is different is the fact that the area around the wounds hasn't turned grey or black yet, that would be proof of a lion fish sting. "

Keeper: -Area around wound became a little bit grey.

As this is a juvie the chances are not too bad that it will recover with proper care... that is certainly not the case in this situation.

[J-P]

from Kelly:

"Supportive care would be the best as there aren't any medications or antivenom for fish administration that I am aware of."

[J-P]

Got another reply from Kelly:

From this last photo - definitely tissue damage. What trauma - can't say.
The water conditions as well as the overall general health of the puffer will need to improve if this puffer stands a chance of recovery. The body weight of the puffer and feeding pattern strongly suggests internal parasites.

I have recommended that the OP contact Kelly directly via MD (a few times) but this time I insisted on it. Relaying 3rd party info is difficult at best.

The latest update:
On the 23rd:

I think this is not lionfish sting, now i see thal little piece of skin with a few barbs fell off and wound looks like little ova lwith bare wound without skin

Although it still may be, with a secondary infection. I mentioned about the area turning grey. And she replied that it did, but in an isolated area around the wounds and not in the huge swaths that were seen before.

[sevenyearnight]

J-P, you are a patient, good, kind soul, but you can't fix this, you can't make this person less stupid. This story is sickening.

[J-P]

it is...


but I am doing it for "our" education. SW treatment here is kind of "lacking". Now that Kelly is back and simply because this is my case, I'd like to share it so that we can all learn.

Right or wrong, if it lives or dies, we now know something more than we did before.

[sevenyearnight]

So sad and could've been so easily avoided.

[Pufferpunk]

I wish Kelly would come back HERE!