The Puffer Forum

I'm sure that she's in shock and very, very tired. A little Melafix might help to soothe her...?

it has now been two hours, the last hour she has been upside down permanently. There is little movement except occasional body twitch. Shall I leave her in the net over night in the tank and see how she is in the morning?

sorry lilgreenpuffer didnt see that post, have none to hand. thanks for helping me through this really appreciate. she still occasionally body twitches, will try again to dispel the air and then do as above and leave her for tonight.

thanks everyone for helping, really appreciated it

I don't know. It doesn't sound great. Depends what you feel comfortable with? If you don't feel happy leaving her, then euth is the only option - & that won't be easy either. Feel very bad for you, it must be awful. I think I might just leave her in the net overnight - if she is comatose, then it won't be distressing for her. See how she is in the morning & euth her then, if she is no better? Big Hugs x.

thanks so much for the support. I am going to leave her over night, I really can not tell now if she is gone or not, every time I do I see some sort of movement suggestive. If there is any sign in the morning, then my partner will euthanise her and we are going to send her on her way at the river near us. Thanks so much, appreciate the hugs.

Have you tried turning off all current in the tank temporarily while you try and burp her? How is she upside down, I'm not sure I understand from your description - is it her head at the water line, or is it her caudal (tail) fin? (I.e. which way up is she facing?).

Holding her caudal fin, pulling her under the water, and tugging gently (but rapidly) a few times should cause her to expel the air if she has taken any in. I'm really not sure why that's not working if you've tried this given all the above is true.

Don't add melafix, it's unnecessary for the symptoms you're describing and it is not some kind of general purpose tonic.

If you do decide to euthanase in the morning, if it comes to that (and I really hope it doesn't and that she's okay) then please, please, don't put her in the local river at any point even if she's died. Administer an overdose of clove oil or MS222 and then freeze (in a rapid freeze compartment of your freezer preferably). Then you might choose to bury her in your garden in a nice spot.

I will keep my fingers crossed for you and her that she is okay by morning.

How is she?

I know it's late & I'm sorry I couldn't get on here earlier. You must get the air out, she can't expel it herself of she would have by now. I'm afraid if you leave her like this, there will be no hope by morning. I don't feel you have shaken her hard enough to get the air out. You could also try to squeeze the air out of her--gently. Did you know we have an artricle on this in the Library? An overdose of clove oil will put her out of her misery, if necessary.

Whatever happens, know that you are a devoted fish mommy, and even if you can't save her, you will have done your best. Princess would never ask more than that.

Hey guys thanks for all the support.

The method I was using amongst all others was the one in the article on the pinned library, that was the first place I leapt to in this emergency, so know it is great for it to be there. Between me and my partner we kept trying to burp her, he tried the shaking method (we did it all firmly but gently with something so tiny). 3 hours after this had started she was completely belly up, had tried so many times, that I was sure if she did survive there was going to be lasting damage from the many attempts. I was pretty sure she had passed on during the late hours of last night before going to bed, but left her there in a quiet spot in the tank just to make sure. Checking on her this morning, she is definately gone. No signs at all.

we wont put her in the river if that is recommended... We dont have or own gardens but there is the local park, otherwise she will have to go in the communal bin.

Sorry guys, just really upset about her suffereing. Both of us feel terrible and felt so useless towards the end and couldnt understand why nothing was working.

I acted quickly, the reason the air got in there was for the first time she leapt out the water for her food, it shocked me at the time but thought she was ok, she has always been impatient but at least lets me get the food in. After feeding sat down to watch them and noticed something was immediately wrong, she couldnt break free from the surface completely and it was as if a giant bubble was in there.

Ran on to here, read the article and posted frantically, my partner replied on my behalf some of the time and checked for any other answers while I continued to try with intervals. We even had both of us attempting at one point, but nothing seemed to dispel the air. She also puffed up at one point which felt a bit relieved as was so sure this was going to help but instead she started to float upside down. We tried head up, head side ways, shaking, everything, lights were turned off and did turn the filter off for a short while to determine any movements. At first I was scared of touching such a small body, but with the time and everything started to be more firm and that didnt work.

There we go, thought I would write everything down, really hope there was nothing more I could have done. Thanks so much for the help and support..I really really did try

Of course you tried. You did your best. Sometimes our best isn't good enough, but that's NOT YOUR FAULT. Princess had a good life with you.

I'm glad you found the article. I'm so sorry for your loss... This is one reason many folks presoak floating foods. I'm wondering--I know she was tiny but did you try to squeeze her a little?

It was frozen bloodworm defrosted she just was a little impatient this one time.. Yes, I tried a small squeeze a couple of times with her backsupported, quite gently.

thanks pufferpunk, thanks lilgreenpuffer. The article is definately of benefit, it was the first thing I thought of in this situation. The articles are definately helpful.

I'm Sorry your lil puff didn't make it lilacamy931 .

thanks stormyskiez, just glad there was so much support online, everyone has been great.

It really shows in threads lile this, how much TPF folks really care! I'm so proud.