New Fahaka problems

Oh no! Sick fish?! Come here and see if someone can help!
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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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wippasnappa

New Fahaka problems

Post by wippasnappa »

I recently purchased a fahaka puffer that is about 2 inches in length. He is the only fish in a 38 gallon tank with a sand bottom. The tank is a brand new set up and has no problems with excessive nitrite or ammonia. It all sounds great; however, the fahaka has been burried in a corner of the aquarium and does not move very often and has not taken any food. He seemed to be swimming around and very lively when i saw him in the pet store tank. I dont know if there is something wrong with the chemistry of the tank or if it's the fact that there are no other fish in the tank (even though i know it's not a good idea to keep them with other fish). If anybody has any ideas, please let me know.
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OraLacerta
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My Puffers: Tetraodon biocellatus.
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Post by OraLacerta »

Did you cycle the tank properly before you added him?

Are there any tankmates?

How recently did you get him? It may just be that he's stressed in his new surroundings and needs time to settle in.

I also just wanted to add that it's always best when you buy a fish you be sure to buy a tank that can properly house it full grown (in this situation a fish that grows over 16"). Continuously upgrading tanks as he grows is costly and you risk stunting him. Is there any way you can upgrade his tank size? A 125 gallon or more would be ideal, especially when he is young. Puffers grow very quickly when young, so it is important to give them the space they need.

Here's a link with some basic info which you may or may not have read already:
http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/ug. ... _Lineatus/


Btw, Welcome to the Puffer Forum! :)
-Michelle

Prevent unnecessary deaths due to disease- quarantine ALL new additions at least 4 weeks in a separate tank before adding to your main display tank!

Puffers: Hindenburg the Figure Eight, 75gallon Brackish
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Pufferpunk
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Post by Pufferpunk »

You need to test the water,ASAP, for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates & pH. Please post here.
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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Rocker
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Post by Rocker »

what does no excessive ammonia and nitrate actually mean.
It is common for some puffers to bury themselves and simply 'do nothing'
Image Some call it a product of a mis-spent youth, I call it Rock n Roll ! Image
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OraLacerta
Former Staff Member
Posts: 573
Joined: Mon Apr 17, 2006 12:51 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Tetraodon biocellatus.
RIP: C. travancoricus, Chilomycterus schoepfi. Canthigaster jactator.
Location (country): USA
Location: USA

Post by OraLacerta »

Any updates for us on your Fahaka?
-Michelle

Prevent unnecessary deaths due to disease- quarantine ALL new additions at least 4 weeks in a separate tank before adding to your main display tank!

Puffers: Hindenburg the Figure Eight, 75gallon Brackish
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