Hi,
I'm stressing out and need some help! I've had Diddy, a Dwarf Puffer, for about 3 weeks now and this morning when I came down I found him just laying on the gravel of the tank, "breathing' hard. He has what appears to be a little tuft of cotton on the top of his head, but he's hiding so I can't get a proper look at it. I quickly phoned the aquatic centre where I got him from and rushed over to get their suggested cure - myxazin. I did a 50% water change and added the treatment to the new water (as well as the usual Tetra Aqua Safe I use). I cleaned the gravel in the process as I think I've been overfeeding the little fella. Have I done the right thing? Is he likely to survive? I don't want him to die!
Here's the info on the tank:
-19ltr Fluval Chi
-Not sure of water parameters as I've no testing kit to hand - should've bought one while I was at the store but was panicking to get back!
-Diddy is the only inhabitant other than a piece of root and some plants.
-Recently introduced 3 new plants to the tank and started feeding live bloodworms. However, thinking about it, the white stuff appeared on him before this.
-Before getting Diddy, the tank was set up with new plants and the filter, etc. was switched on for about 4 days.
Thanks in advance!
Kajsa & Diddy.
Dwarf Puffer cotton-like fungus
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.
-
Pufferpunk
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burrfish
T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
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Re: Dwarf Puffer cotton-like fungus
Your tank is not cycled. Today, you're going to do a 90% WC to remove those meds, as this is a sure way to kill off any good bacteria in there. Instead, add Tetra Safestart, after the water change, directly to your filter. Use Pimafix & Melafix, for the infection. These products will not harm your good bacteria. Get the API test kit.
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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bertie 83
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Harlequins, CAE's, Yoyo
Loaches, Clown loaches ,Eels, various shrimp, tangs,wrasses, damsels, chromis - Location (country): Brighton, England
- Location: brighton , england
Re: Dwarf Puffer cotton-like fungus
+1 to pp. or if you are near me you can have some filter media
It's amazing how easy maintenance is. If done regularly and thoroughly
Re: Dwarf Puffer cotton-like fungus
Can I use Pimafix and Melafix even though I've given him the Myxazin?
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Pufferpunk
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T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
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Re: Dwarf Puffer cotton-like fungus
I told you to remove the Myxazin wit a 90% WC.
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: Dwarf Puffer cotton-like fungus
Have done that but it will still by in Diddy's little body, right? Anyway, he's in a pretty bad way so am following your advice. Except I couldn't get any Aqua Start so the Aqua Safe will have to do.
Fingers crossed...
Fingers crossed...
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Pufferpunk
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C valentini
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C papuan
C lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
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Re: Dwarf Puffer cotton-like fungus
None of those products are any good, other than Tetra Safestart. You are wasting your $$$ & adding dead bacteria, which will only make things worse.
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: Dwarf Puffer cotton-like fungus
Well Diddy is on his back, gasping for air, and there are no other pet shops open, so I've done the best I can for now. 
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Pufferpunk
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- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
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C valentini
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burrfish
T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
- Location: Greenville, SC
- Contact:
Re: Dwarf Puffer cotton-like fungus
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: Dwarf Puffer cotton-like fungus
Update - Diddy is still on his back, but he seems to be better in colour and breathing better, and has even made attempts to right himself. I got a kit and tested the ammonia levels of the water after the 90% water change and it was 0.25, so I wonder what it was before the water change! Can he come back from this do you think? I just want to say thank you so much for your help with this. And I'm sure Diddy says thank you as well. 
I'll update in the morning (UK time), let's hope it's good news. Should I carry on doing water changes every day? If so, how much? I will also source some Aqua Start as well, somewhere must stock it!
I'll update in the morning (UK time), let's hope it's good news. Should I carry on doing water changes every day? If so, how much? I will also source some Aqua Start as well, somewhere must stock it!
-
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: Dwarf Puffer cotton-like fungus
I'd do them 2x/day, at 80%. Did you get Prime?
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: Dwarf Puffer cotton-like fungus
Unfortunately Diddy didn't make it through the night, and he's now at peace in the garden. Thank you for helping me try to save him.
I will wait a while before getting another, and learn from my mistake.
RIP Diddy
Thank you for helping me try to save him.I will wait a while before getting another, and learn from my mistake.
RIP Diddy
-
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: Dwarf Puffer cotton-like fungus
Sorry for your loss... Please do more research on cycling & the nitrification process: library/category/water-filtration/
Please do more research on cycling & the nitrification process: library/category/water-filtration/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: Dwarf Puffer cotton-like fungus
I certainly will, and I'll also get a bigger tank so it's not so quick to deteriorate.
-
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: Dwarf Puffer cotton-like fungus
Yea shame he didn't make it, bigger tanks are more stable but remember to fully cycle the tank before adding any fish.
It's amazing how easy maintenance is. If done regularly and thoroughly