Puffer not well after moving

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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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Troender
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Joined: Sat Nov 25, 2006 8:04 pm
Gender: Female
My Puffers: 1x GSP (Bolla), 1x m. something. Bought as a leiurus, maybe a turgidus (Tiger), 1x c. irrubesco (Tott(a) aka Houdini) 1x c. salivator (Jack the Ripper), 1x m. cochinchinensis (Hufflepuff - R.I.P.), 2x c. lorteti (Tommy and Tigern = Calvin and Hubbes), 1x m. suvatti (Koseklumpen), 1x m. palembangensis (Dragonfly), 2x t. biocellatus (Koken and Fiken).
Location: Askim, Norway

Puffer not well after moving

Post by Troender »

Yesterday I brought home two new puffers. One c. salivator and one t. cochinchinensis (fully grown). The salivator is doing very well. He's attacking his shrimp and seems to be in a good mood - for a puffer, that is :lol:

But my Hufflepuff is not doing so fine. I first realized it while feeding today. According to the shop, he loves shrimps and attacks at once. But Hufflepuff only had a small nibble, and then turned his back on the food. He is also a lot more calm than he was yesterday. When checking a bit more closely, I saw some white slimelike thing on his back. This can come from irritation of the skin. He had a dramatic trip yesterday, though, as he was silly enough to bite through the plastic bag under transportation. The transportation lasted some hours, so he had little water for a long time. And the time I spent at introducing him to his new tank, was a bit too short because of the lack-of-water-problem.

Is this only caused by stress, and will pass by itself, or is there anything I can do for him. That white things on his back is bothering me. He was most certainly more lively yesterday. If there's anything I can give him, please tell me what it contains and what it's for, as we most certainly don't have the same medication in Norway.
Inger Anne
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Boxermom
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Post by Boxermom »

It often takes puffers a couple of days, sometimes even a couple of weeks, to acclimate to their new homes and start feeling normal.
Tina

Puffers: Auriglobus silus x1, Tetraodon travancoricus x1, Tetraodon turgidus x1, Tetraodon miurus x1, Tetraodon nigroviridis x2, Tetraodon baileyi x2, Tetraodon lineatus x1, Tetraodon palembangensis x1
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Troender
Former Staff Member
Posts: 1843
Joined: Sat Nov 25, 2006 8:04 pm
Gender: Female
My Puffers: 1x GSP (Bolla), 1x m. something. Bought as a leiurus, maybe a turgidus (Tiger), 1x c. irrubesco (Tott(a) aka Houdini) 1x c. salivator (Jack the Ripper), 1x m. cochinchinensis (Hufflepuff - R.I.P.), 2x c. lorteti (Tommy and Tigern = Calvin and Hubbes), 1x m. suvatti (Koseklumpen), 1x m. palembangensis (Dragonfly), 2x t. biocellatus (Koken and Fiken).
Location: Askim, Norway

Post by Troender »

I'm a bit concerned about that white stuff on his back. Can it be skin irritation after the dramatic trip yesterday? Usually I wouldn't worry so much only one day after getting a new puffer, but after the lack-of-water problem and quick introducing, I don't feel certain that this is normal. I'm a bit jumpy I guess...
Inger Anne
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Just think how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of them are even stupider! -George Carlin

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Boxermom
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Post by Boxermom »

My guess, without actually seeing it or a photo, is a damaged slime coat, which will heal up on its own.
Tina

Puffers: Auriglobus silus x1, Tetraodon travancoricus x1, Tetraodon turgidus x1, Tetraodon miurus x1, Tetraodon nigroviridis x2, Tetraodon baileyi x2, Tetraodon lineatus x1, Tetraodon palembangensis x1
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Troender
Former Staff Member
Posts: 1843
Joined: Sat Nov 25, 2006 8:04 pm
Gender: Female
My Puffers: 1x GSP (Bolla), 1x m. something. Bought as a leiurus, maybe a turgidus (Tiger), 1x c. irrubesco (Tott(a) aka Houdini) 1x c. salivator (Jack the Ripper), 1x m. cochinchinensis (Hufflepuff - R.I.P.), 2x c. lorteti (Tommy and Tigern = Calvin and Hubbes), 1x m. suvatti (Koseklumpen), 1x m. palembangensis (Dragonfly), 2x t. biocellatus (Koken and Fiken).
Location: Askim, Norway

Post by Troender »

I never use aquasafe (water preparation - not necessary with the water here), but I know it can help on the slime coat. Would that be an idea to add to the water?
Inger Anne
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Just think how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of them are even stupider! -George Carlin

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Nick
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My Puffers: Mine:
GSPs - Shakespeare and Jillybean
F8 - Velvet
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Narrow Lined Puffer - Ulrike
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Location: Middletown, CT
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Post by Nick »

Don't add anything to cause more slime coat, seeing as the problem may be related to their being too much. Some people think these products cause the increase in slime coat by irritating the skin a bit, something else you want to pass on right now.
No matter how magnificent your successes or devastating your failures, the worlds' approximately 5 billion impoverished people could not possibly care less.
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Troender
Former Staff Member
Posts: 1843
Joined: Sat Nov 25, 2006 8:04 pm
Gender: Female
My Puffers: 1x GSP (Bolla), 1x m. something. Bought as a leiurus, maybe a turgidus (Tiger), 1x c. irrubesco (Tott(a) aka Houdini) 1x c. salivator (Jack the Ripper), 1x m. cochinchinensis (Hufflepuff - R.I.P.), 2x c. lorteti (Tommy and Tigern = Calvin and Hubbes), 1x m. suvatti (Koseklumpen), 1x m. palembangensis (Dragonfly), 2x t. biocellatus (Koken and Fiken).
Location: Askim, Norway

Post by Troender »

Nick wrote:Some people think these products cause the increase in slime coat by irritating the skin a bit, something else you want to pass on right now.
Actually it's the product that states that it is good for the slime cover. But I won't add it, then :-) I'll just hope for him to get better. I will do a water change, though. Tiger also had small problems after moving here (a touch of fin rot), and a water change fixed it :-)
Inger Anne
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Just think how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of them are even stupider! -George Carlin

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Nick
Former Staff Member
Posts: 3231
Joined: Sun Oct 22, 2006 8:47 pm
My Puffers: Mine:
GSPs - Shakespeare and Jillybean
F8 - Velvet
My fiance:
DP - Emma Goldman
Narrow Lined Puffer - Ulrike
Location (country): Northeastern USA
Location: Middletown, CT
Contact:
Contact Nick

Post by Nick »

Most products that increase slime coat claim to be good for it, but I have no idea if they are or not, and have never seen a fish that seemed to be suffering from lack of slime coat, so I've stopped using them since I noticed no special improvement if I did. Lots of high volume water changes are the closest thing to a panacea in fish keeping, so I'd probably do a 50-70% change myself in your shoes.
No matter how magnificent your successes or devastating your failures, the worlds' approximately 5 billion impoverished people could not possibly care less.
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Troender
Former Staff Member
Posts: 1843
Joined: Sat Nov 25, 2006 8:04 pm
Gender: Female
My Puffers: 1x GSP (Bolla), 1x m. something. Bought as a leiurus, maybe a turgidus (Tiger), 1x c. irrubesco (Tott(a) aka Houdini) 1x c. salivator (Jack the Ripper), 1x m. cochinchinensis (Hufflepuff - R.I.P.), 2x c. lorteti (Tommy and Tigern = Calvin and Hubbes), 1x m. suvatti (Koseklumpen), 1x m. palembangensis (Dragonfly), 2x t. biocellatus (Koken and Fiken).
Location: Askim, Norway

Post by Troender »

Sorry, I didn't understand the word "panacea". And my dictionary wouldn't translate it either. But I get the meaning, though :-)
Inger Anne
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Just think how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of them are even stupider! -George Carlin

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Troender
Former Staff Member
Posts: 1843
Joined: Sat Nov 25, 2006 8:04 pm
Gender: Female
My Puffers: 1x GSP (Bolla), 1x m. something. Bought as a leiurus, maybe a turgidus (Tiger), 1x c. irrubesco (Tott(a) aka Houdini) 1x c. salivator (Jack the Ripper), 1x m. cochinchinensis (Hufflepuff - R.I.P.), 2x c. lorteti (Tommy and Tigern = Calvin and Hubbes), 1x m. suvatti (Koseklumpen), 1x m. palembangensis (Dragonfly), 2x t. biocellatus (Koken and Fiken).
Location: Askim, Norway

Post by Troender »

He seemed a bit better in the evening, after a water change. He became more lively again. I am curious about how he will be when I get home from work today.
Inger Anne
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just think how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of them are even stupider! -George Carlin

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Troender
Former Staff Member
Posts: 1843
Joined: Sat Nov 25, 2006 8:04 pm
Gender: Female
My Puffers: 1x GSP (Bolla), 1x m. something. Bought as a leiurus, maybe a turgidus (Tiger), 1x c. irrubesco (Tott(a) aka Houdini) 1x c. salivator (Jack the Ripper), 1x m. cochinchinensis (Hufflepuff - R.I.P.), 2x c. lorteti (Tommy and Tigern = Calvin and Hubbes), 1x m. suvatti (Koseklumpen), 1x m. palembangensis (Dragonfly), 2x t. biocellatus (Koken and Fiken).
Location: Askim, Norway

Post by Troender »

Hufflepuff seems well now :-) An active little (big) thing :-D I will give him another try on the shrimp today. I'm looking forward to it. If he has the same amount of violence as my other puffers, it can be a pretty wild experience to watch him. He is my biggest puffer :-)
Inger Anne
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just think how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of them are even stupider! -George Carlin

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User avatar
Troender
Former Staff Member
Posts: 1843
Joined: Sat Nov 25, 2006 8:04 pm
Gender: Female
My Puffers: 1x GSP (Bolla), 1x m. something. Bought as a leiurus, maybe a turgidus (Tiger), 1x c. irrubesco (Tott(a) aka Houdini) 1x c. salivator (Jack the Ripper), 1x m. cochinchinensis (Hufflepuff - R.I.P.), 2x c. lorteti (Tommy and Tigern = Calvin and Hubbes), 1x m. suvatti (Koseklumpen), 1x m. palembangensis (Dragonfly), 2x t. biocellatus (Koken and Fiken).
Location: Askim, Norway

Post by Troender »

WOW! That is the wildest feeding I've ever seen! :shock:
No problem with Hufflepuff taking his shrimp now! And, WOW, what big bites it takes! One bite split the shrimp in two. The next bite took an awful lot of the shrimp, and it seemed like most of it came out through the gills :lol: . I will never again give a shrimp to that fish, without a water change later the same day. And I will never, ever put my hand into the tank to take the shrimp out. Else he might take out a finger or two (well, not exactly, but he will most certainly do something unpleasant to my hand). I must say the same as I did after watching Tiger take a shrimp for the first time: What a wonderfully violent fish! :D
Inger Anne
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Just think how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of them are even stupider! -George Carlin

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Post by RTR »

Discretion in sticking wiggly bits of protein (aka fingers) in puffer tanks I consider a positive survival trait for hobbyists. ;)
Where's the fish? - Neptune
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Troender
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Posts: 1843
Joined: Sat Nov 25, 2006 8:04 pm
Gender: Female
My Puffers: 1x GSP (Bolla), 1x m. something. Bought as a leiurus, maybe a turgidus (Tiger), 1x c. irrubesco (Tott(a) aka Houdini) 1x c. salivator (Jack the Ripper), 1x m. cochinchinensis (Hufflepuff - R.I.P.), 2x c. lorteti (Tommy and Tigern = Calvin and Hubbes), 1x m. suvatti (Koseklumpen), 1x m. palembangensis (Dragonfly), 2x t. biocellatus (Koken and Fiken).
Location: Askim, Norway

Post by Troender »

:lol:
Yes :-) I can do it with my other puffers (so far), but none is so violent and so big as Hufflepuff. And of course I know that the man at the pet shop has experienced Hufflepuff's teeth, so I know he is capable of biting. :P
Actually I haven't been bitten by a puffer yet. Maybe I should try it, so I know what it's like? Or...eeer... maybe not... :lol:
Inger Anne
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Just think how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of them are even stupider! -George Carlin

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Post by Boxermom »

I would very much recommend against it. Not only does it hurt like hell and open your body up to the possibility of a nasty infection, but the natural reaction is to jerk your hand away which can cause the puffer in question to fly across the room. I speak from experience.
Tina

Puffers: Auriglobus silus x1, Tetraodon travancoricus x1, Tetraodon turgidus x1, Tetraodon miurus x1, Tetraodon nigroviridis x2, Tetraodon baileyi x2, Tetraodon lineatus x1, Tetraodon palembangensis x1
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