north east salt water puffer

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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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KENNYCAS
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north east salt water puffer

Post by KENNYCAS »

I need help. My salt water north east puffer stopped eating and looks as if he has lock jaw. He can not close his mouth and lays on bottom of tank. Been weeks since he last ate.
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Pufferpunk
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Re: north east salt water puffer

Post by Pufferpunk »

Please answer ALL the Qs above, in red.
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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bertie 83
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Re: north east salt water puffer

Post by bertie 83 »

Was krill by any chance the bulk of his diet. Please answer all questions above and mentally prepare as you may need to force feed. Someone will talk you through it at the time if needed
It's amazing how easy maintenance is. If done regularly and thoroughly
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Re: north east salt water puffer

Post by KENNYCAS »

water conditions are and have been very good, I have the tank for 2 years and keep fish that have been caught in long island waters. some tropics and mostly local fish, like puff. normal water change would be 30 to 40 % . my tank size is 125 gal. I feed all types of frozen foods from fish stores and sometimes live. sinking pellets and algae wafers also. have made no changes in past 3 months other then water . my puffer can not close his mouth and will not eat anything. before he would eat none stop. breaths very rapid. I have now started today to force feed with vitamins .
KENNYCAS
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Re: north east salt water puffer

Post by KENNYCAS »

no . have used it to feed tank but not his favorite.
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bertie 83
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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: north east salt water puffer

Post by bertie 83 »

What are all your water parameters?
It's amazing how easy maintenance is. If done regularly and thoroughly
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Pufferpunk
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Posts: 32987
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
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My Puffers: Puffers I have kept:
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T miurus
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suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles
Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
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Re: north east salt water puffer

Post by Pufferpunk »

Please post: ammonia, nitrite, nitrate & pH. "Very good" isn't enough.
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: north east salt water puffer

Post by RTR »

And specific gravity or salinity.
Where's the fish? - Neptune
KENNYCAS
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Re: north east salt water puffer

Post by KENNYCAS »

salinity 1.025
alkalinity 5.o
ammona & nitrite 0
ph 8.1
I am running out of time with the puffer, has anyone ever seen a puffer with lock jaw. and if so can it be cured. I don't think it has anything to do with water conditions they have not changed and all the others are fine including a younger puffer. how do i force feed correctly. need answers please.
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Pufferpunk
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Posts: 32987
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: north east salt water puffer

Post by Pufferpunk »

Lockjaw is caused by vitamin deficiency, generally from feeding a diet of krill. You might be able to find Youtube vids on force-feeding him. You'll have to get a large syringe & a soft tube to put down his throat. You have to make a slurry of meaty foods high in B vitamins. Be sure to add Vita-Chem & Selcon.
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!"
KENNYCAS
Puffer Fry
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Apr 28, 2012 3:58 pm
Location (country): U.S.

Re: north east salt water puffer

Post by KENNYCAS »

started force feeding with added vitamins. in just 2 days he is moving around and swimming on the top. still unable to close his mouth or eat on his own. thanks for reply.
User avatar
Pufferpunk
Queen Admin
Posts: 32987
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: north east salt water puffer

Post by Pufferpunk »

Sounds like he's getting better! Keep force-feeding him. Please continue to update.
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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