I've had a new baby GSP for about two weeks (he's about one inch long), and I'm maintaining him as a 'singelton'.
Everything seemed really good -- his 40-gallon tank has been cycled with Biospora; I've been checking the water parameters and am on a 50% change schedule; he's been eating heartily and is very 'social'.
Today he seemed a bit less social, and has been staying in one of his private napping spots. When I fed him this evening, he bounded about as per normal, chasing down bloodworms -- but my heart sank as I saw that the front fin on his right side is immobile, due to a swollen blob that seems to be encasing the fin.
This 'blob' does not seem to be a parasite IMO, but rather his own flesh, in this very localized spot, that's swollen. It's color is the same as his underside and fin: cream-colored. And it's appeared in merely one day! It's consistency looks taught -- as though there's puss in there or something.
I've checked through the Library here, and can't seem to find a description of any sort of condition that would characterize this.
I don't know what to do. Is there any medicine I can give him? Do I bother to remove him to a 'hospital' tank even though he's the sole occupant of his home?
This is my second attempt to keep a GSP (my first failure, which ended up with my returning the fish to the store, was my fault for not doing the proper research, acquiring a sickly fish, then not cycling the tank, etc.). I've truly knocked myself out this time, however -- but continue to be at a sad loss.
I would be eternally grateful for anyone out there for any advice that might help me to save this fellow.
- Peter
GSP problem: Please help!
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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Pufferpunk
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I'm sorry, but I can't seem to photograph him. He either hides or moves too fast. I've snapped many photos, but none show the swollen area in enough detail to reveal what's going on.
It's worse -- larger -- this morning -- both in area and mass. I have no idea what to do. Is there POSSIBLY any medicine I can give him? Anything at all I can do? I would choose to euthenize him before I simply let him die slowly.
It's worse -- larger -- this morning -- both in area and mass. I have no idea what to do. Is there POSSIBLY any medicine I can give him? Anything at all I can do? I would choose to euthenize him before I simply let him die slowly.
-
Bred
- Former Staff Member
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Peter, what is the salinity of your tank?
Do you see any mucous trailing behind the gill as the puff swims?
See if you can find some magnesium sulfate, aka Epsom salts. The uncut stuff, no perfumes or dyes or anything. Add 1tbsp / 5 gals; it acts as a diuretic and may help relieve swelling. As to the exact cause of this bump, I really don't know...
Maintaining pristine water conditions in the main tank is of utmost importance. Ammonia / Nitrite should be undetectable, and Nitrates under 10ppm during this crucial time.
Let us know how you make out...
Do you see any mucous trailing behind the gill as the puff swims?
See if you can find some magnesium sulfate, aka Epsom salts. The uncut stuff, no perfumes or dyes or anything. Add 1tbsp / 5 gals; it acts as a diuretic and may help relieve swelling. As to the exact cause of this bump, I really don't know...
Maintaining pristine water conditions in the main tank is of utmost importance. Ammonia / Nitrite should be undetectable, and Nitrates under 10ppm during this crucial time.
Let us know how you make out...
Can you give us the parameters of the tank?
Also, could you anaesthetise him and take a pic of the swelling?
For details on anaesthetising him, see the sticky on puffer dentistry, with clove oil.
You may need clove oil anyway, if you decide to put him down.
Sorry to hear about his illness, but all I can think of is, like Bred said, pristine water, with Melafix in.
Pami.
Also, could you anaesthetise him and take a pic of the swelling?
For details on anaesthetising him, see the sticky on puffer dentistry, with clove oil.
You may need clove oil anyway, if you decide to put him down.
Sorry to hear about his illness, but all I can think of is, like Bred said, pristine water, with Melafix in.
Pami.
My sincere thanks to you to all for your recommendations.
Two days ago, I did a thorough 60% water change and gravel cleaning. Then, I started treating with the following medicines:
1) Maracyn (tablets)
2) Maroxy (liquid)
3) Tetracycline (tablets)
Each of these medicines is produced by a company called "Mardel."
The water has changed color to an odd yellowish/reddish -- I believe that's the Tetracyline as well as the Maroxy doing that.
The bump/blob thing, while limiting fin movement on one side, is actually originating, I believe, from his gill!
In the past two days, the swelling/protuberance has gone down considerably.
HOWEVER, there is a white filmy-looking substance now covering a wider area of his body on that side (again, with its center at the gill/fin), and including one eye! In other words, the front side part of his body, including the eye, is covered with a white, filmy, transluscent substance. This makes the eye, in particular, look scary to me -- and I pray he's not suffering.
On the whole, he remains relatively active, and chases bloodworms being carried by the water current, although he doesn't actually eat very much. His underside is still modestly rounded and a nice off-white color, not gray or black.
I shall get the water parameters, though I'm unsure if the medicines will effect my readings. (I do know that the SP is 1.006 -- I just started transitioning to BW from wholly FW.)
Gratefully,
Peter
Two days ago, I did a thorough 60% water change and gravel cleaning. Then, I started treating with the following medicines:
1) Maracyn (tablets)
2) Maroxy (liquid)
3) Tetracycline (tablets)
Each of these medicines is produced by a company called "Mardel."
The water has changed color to an odd yellowish/reddish -- I believe that's the Tetracyline as well as the Maroxy doing that.
The bump/blob thing, while limiting fin movement on one side, is actually originating, I believe, from his gill!
In the past two days, the swelling/protuberance has gone down considerably.
HOWEVER, there is a white filmy-looking substance now covering a wider area of his body on that side (again, with its center at the gill/fin), and including one eye! In other words, the front side part of his body, including the eye, is covered with a white, filmy, transluscent substance. This makes the eye, in particular, look scary to me -- and I pray he's not suffering.
On the whole, he remains relatively active, and chases bloodworms being carried by the water current, although he doesn't actually eat very much. His underside is still modestly rounded and a nice off-white color, not gray or black.
I shall get the water parameters, though I'm unsure if the medicines will effect my readings. (I do know that the SP is 1.006 -- I just started transitioning to BW from wholly FW.)
Gratefully,
Peter
An update:
My puffer is still hanging in there -- obviously he's a tough one.
I did another water change today (60%), and will continue to do so every other day during this critical period. Does that sound about right?
I'm changing his meds -- to a combination of Melafix and Pimafix. Symptoms continue to evolve in the direction of a fungal infection of the gill, eye, and surrounding surface tissue.
- Peter
My puffer is still hanging in there -- obviously he's a tough one.
I did another water change today (60%), and will continue to do so every other day during this critical period. Does that sound about right?
I'm changing his meds -- to a combination of Melafix and Pimafix. Symptoms continue to evolve in the direction of a fungal infection of the gill, eye, and surrounding surface tissue.
- Peter
-
Bred
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 364
- Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2005 10:42 am
- Location: Toronto, Canada
- Contact:
That sounds good. The med change is probably wise, as it's not generally a good idea to mix various antibiotics - they may counteract one another and merely confound the situation.
If you're able to take any pics, that will help for future reference. I've seen numerous reports lately of a web-like substance covering the gills, eye and mouth, and I'm not exactly sure what to make of it.
I hope the Mela / Pima work out for you. Thanks for the updates.
If you're able to take any pics, that will help for future reference. I've seen numerous reports lately of a web-like substance covering the gills, eye and mouth, and I'm not exactly sure what to make of it.
I hope the Mela / Pima work out for you. Thanks for the updates.
I have sad news, but I thought, in the interest of other TPF members' education, I should share it: the GSP I've been treating has died.
To recap the symptoms: seemingly out of the blue, an odd growth, or perhaps an abcess, appeared from his gill on one side, and encased his fin. As this receded, what seemed like a surface fungus began to spread from this location, ultimately encasing his eye on that side.
Treatments with Melafix and Pimafix seemed to do nothing; the translucent white substance spread further over the Puffer's surface, and then encased his other eye. His whole body began to swell (not 'puff up') gradually; he lost interest in food; and then just slipped away.
(Needless to say, I stepped up water changes to every-other day when he started evincing symptoms, and maintained pristine tank conditions.)
I'd had him for about two weeks.
To recap the symptoms: seemingly out of the blue, an odd growth, or perhaps an abcess, appeared from his gill on one side, and encased his fin. As this receded, what seemed like a surface fungus began to spread from this location, ultimately encasing his eye on that side.
Treatments with Melafix and Pimafix seemed to do nothing; the translucent white substance spread further over the Puffer's surface, and then encased his other eye. His whole body began to swell (not 'puff up') gradually; he lost interest in food; and then just slipped away.
(Needless to say, I stepped up water changes to every-other day when he started evincing symptoms, and maintained pristine tank conditions.)
I'd had him for about two weeks.