The Puffer Forum

being new to puffer keeping i don't know alot....but being experienced in using metronidazole on my fishies i know a little....you can add that to the tank....being a 30 gallon tank i would give a bolus dose to the water of 1000mg...then go to 500mg for the next 2 days.....by the end of the third day you should see a difference in the behavior...and a return of hunger....mix this medication in some tank water and dissolve it. it won't completely dissolve but it will do pretty well, then add it in front of the powerhead or return line so that the flow of the water will disperse it throughout the tank.

I have never had a problem with metro not working added to the water - it fully dissolves, so even freshwater fish can take in a reasonable bit through the gills if you maintain treatment. Adding to food is great, and when the puffer starts eating again, do it for sure, but this med SHOULD work just in the water.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and guidance. I have acquired the Metro in powder form and dissolved it in tank water. Yesterday I did a 30% water change and housed both fish in the Metro solution "bath" in a separate container for about 1-1.5 hours during with tank change. I plan to give her another "Bath" in the Metro this evening for about the same amout of time.

My question to all is this: Should I give her daily baths in the solution or just add it directly to the tank? Is there any advantages or disadvantages to either method? From the sounds of the suggestions, adding directly to the tank is likely the most effective method, but I am concerned about removal once treatment is complete.

Thanks again for all the help, it is greatly appreciated.

Eric

Metro is safe for salt water tanks, I would not think there would be any special way to remove it, it dissolves fully, so water changes should to the trick just fine.

OK, I put in the recommended amount (dissolved as much as possible in tank water beforehand) yesterday and will put in 50% of that later today. Per instructions, I should do water changes the 3rd day to start to removal process. I am hoping to see a difference when I get home tonight and if not, hopefully tomorrow at the latest. I will update when I have more information.

Thanks again to all who posted, I do appreciate the help.

Eric

If you don't see improvement, a large water change and treatment with other parasite killers may do the trick. Flubendazole is very wide spectrum, levimisole kills camalanus worms but not tapeworms, and prazi kills tapeworms but not camalanus worms. Hopefully improvement will occur without further treatment.

The latest update unfortunately does not contain good news, my puffer is still ill and not eating. She is growing more emaciated with each passing day, very sad to witness. I did some tank changes and continue to use food entice, but without success. My next step is to obtain and try the Flubendazole treatment option. I will keep you posted on results.

Thanks again,
Eric

Well, I do have some good news on the status of my puffer not eating. First, she is still with us, although in a very emaciated state. She has been eating, but not as much as pre-illness times.

I was not able to locate Flubendazole powder, but at this time, I don't believe that would offer any remedy to the situation.

Looking closely at her eyes, they do appear to be a bit hazy, and since she is still bumping into the tank walls and coral, I am curious if there are known issues with puffer vision that I should be aware of. If anyone has any insights, please post.

Also, I was able to feed her a bit by directly holding a piece of food in front of her via a narrow wood dowel. She is skiddish of the dowel, but I am thinking that if she starts to equate it to food, she will warm up to it.

I am beginning to think that this entire issue may be that she can no longer see very well and therefore is unable to see the food that is present in the tank.

Again, any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Eric