GSP is still sick, fighting an uphill battle here.
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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wagner7123
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 184
- Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2011 6:28 am
- Gender: Male
- Location (country): Usa, north pole alaska
Re: GSP is still sick, fighting an uphill battle here.
Can you guys do this on PMs please, or maybe create your own thread to argue the pros and cons of antibiotic treatments? I was pretty interested in this thread until all of the "BS" started. Thanks.
I'm pretty sure I have a blue thumb.
- 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: GSP is still sick, fighting an uphill battle here.
The staff has decided to split this thread into two topics. I'm going to lock the one about the use of Maracyn until further notice.
"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!
- 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 is still sick, fighting an uphill battle here.
Okay, to everyone who hasn't been following this thread: Between Pufferpunk's last post and wagner7123's post, there was a lot of other stuff. If anyone cares to read about the use of Maracyn, you can find the split posts in the Hospital forum. The topic is not open for discussion at the present moment, though it may be in the future.
We are now turning the focus of this thread back to its original purpose.
We are now turning the focus of this thread back to its original purpose.
"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!
-
LongGrain
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 223
- Joined: Wed Dec 21, 2011 6:38 pm
- Location (country): Green bay, WI, U.S.
Re: GSP is still sick, fighting an uphill battle here.
thanks guys, I really don't mind the thread jack. I've been on forums forever and have thousands upon thousands of posts on some other types of forums and know that some of the most useful information comes from tangent arguments.
I just got home from picking up another box of jungle fizz tabs. Jerry looks a little better right now, he's actually green I caught him moving around for a second. He's not laying on the sand right now, but he's kind of just hovering about a half inch off the bottom with his face pointed at the ground.
I just got home from picking up another box of jungle fizz tabs. Jerry looks a little better right now, he's actually green I caught him moving around for a second. He's not laying on the sand right now, but he's kind of just hovering about a half inch off the bottom with his face pointed at the ground.
- Pufferpunk
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T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
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Re: GSP is still sick, fighting an uphill battle here.
Thanks for understanding, I was going to send you a personal apology.
He will feel better quickly, once the IPs start leaving his body & nutrition can get in.
He will feel better quickly, once the IPs start leaving his body & nutrition can get in.
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!"
-
wagner7123
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 184
- Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2011 6:28 am
- Gender: Male
- Location (country): Usa, north pole alaska
Re: GSP is still sick, fighting an uphill battle here.
That's the hunting position, they look for snails and such in the substrate like that. Mine does it all the time.
I'm pretty sure I have a blue thumb.
-
LongGrain
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 223
- Joined: Wed Dec 21, 2011 6:38 pm
- Location (country): Green bay, WI, U.S.
Re: GSP is still sick, fighting an uphill battle here.
no need, I might be new here, but I'm a seasoned forum veteran when it comes to car forums and such. Arguments don't bother me, I've been a part of more than a few in my time.
I hope he feels better soon.
I hope he feels better soon.
- Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
- Posts: 32975
- 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: GSP is still sick, fighting an uphill battle here.
I think you found the secret ingredient to his comeback! 
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!"
- 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 is still sick, fighting an uphill battle here.
That's great news! He's hovering like a hummingbird, right? Not hovering as in drifting weakly?
"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!
-
LongGrain
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 223
- Joined: Wed Dec 21, 2011 6:38 pm
- Location (country): Green bay, WI, U.S.
Re: GSP is still sick, fighting an uphill battle here.
uhh no, his fins aren't moving, I think he might just be laying on his face instead of his whole body. He doesn't move his fins hardly ever.
Now he's back at the top of the tank being very still. He alternates between resting on the bottom and floating at the top.
Now he's back at the top of the tank being very still. He alternates between resting on the bottom and floating at the top.
- 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 is still sick, fighting an uphill battle here.
This video shows DPs exhibiting healthy hunting movement. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o1fw9jtRNc Is it like that? What you're describing sounds more like drifting listlessly. 
"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!
-
LongGrain
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 223
- Joined: Wed Dec 21, 2011 6:38 pm
- Location (country): Green bay, WI, U.S.
Re: GSP is still sick, fighting an uphill battle here.
yea no its definitely not like that video. He's just drifting. I'm more hopeful just because he's not totally black anymore, he actually has some color to him now.
this is what he does for like 95% of the day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eesl8KHQ ... VQrPPh7A2V
this is what he does for like 95% of the day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eesl8KHQ ... VQrPPh7A2V
- Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
- Posts: 32975
- 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: GSP is still sick, fighting an uphill battle here.
Sleeping?
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!"
- 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 is still sick, fighting an uphill battle here.
I think it would help his stress level if you got some more hidey-holes and caves in there. Even just a coffee mug (very well rinsed, no soap!) would be a starting point. Dimming or turning off the tank lights could also help. When a fish is having trouble with mobility, it's important to help them feel as safe as possible; mental stress easily translates into physical stress, just like it's easier for a person to catch a cold when they're overloaded at work.
"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!
-
LongGrain
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 223
- Joined: Wed Dec 21, 2011 6:38 pm
- Location (country): Green bay, WI, U.S.
Re: GSP is still sick, fighting an uphill battle here.
nope, thats all the time.Pufferpunk wrote:Sleeping?
he curls up into a ball and balances on his nose when he sleeps. I think I posted a video of that as well.
I only turned his lights on for a minute to take that video, otherwise I just have his moonlights on.
but hey, once again, I think he knows I'm talking about him. I just turned around to see him swimming around inspecting his rocks. I haven't seen him do anything like that in at least a week!