The Puffer Forum

Melafix will help heal where the parasite has attacked them. Be sure to add an airstone though.

Thanks guys. I've treated for 10 days but he still has a couple of small spots. He's not showing any signs of distress, is eating and not gasping, hanging around the surface or filter. Should I continue to treat for a few more days?

I have had to estimate the actual water level so am a bit concerned I have under-dosed but don't really want to risk over-dose.

(I have 2 airstones running.)

Keep going till well after the last spots have gone, it's primarily a gill parasite

I'm not sure why he gets stressed from WC, unless the tap water is so different from his tank water. Shouldn't be if you're doing proper WC, which mean, a minimum of 50% weekly, using dechlorinator & matching the temp.

Thanks bertie - I'll keep going then

PP - He just doesn't like his home being messed with. He hates it when I fish out the shell and detritis after dinner. His previous owners had the same problem. He's better than he used to be but he goes black and sinks to the bottom the moment we go in and if we're in the tank too long he starts splashing, shooting around, just like he's displaying a warning. He's never been directly aggressive to us though and we can feed him by hand. As I said, he has calmed down but still hates it.

I do water changes as you described.

Splashing and spitting happens if I push my luck with mine too. Biting happens when I am not looking

You don't have to worry too much about overdosing, so long as it's not in MASSIVE quantities. An extra tablespoon or so won't hurt. Fish are a lot more hardy than some people thing. Great job on your treatment so far! Just make sure you're really vacuuming the gravel good so the ich isn't still living in the tank. Best of luck! =]

He hasn't tried biting yet but I do tend to keep a watchful eye on him! He was pretty good today actually, just kept parking himself where I wanted to vacuum!

Thank you. I have him on sand so been stirring it up to get as much as possible. Took all the bogwood out today too and have it a scrub. Fingers crossed it'll clear soon. He only has 2 little spots now so much less that before. Hoping that's a good sign

Hufferpuffer wrote:He hasn't tried biting yet but I do tend to keep a watchful eye on him! He was pretty good today actually, just kept parking himself where I wanted to vacuum!

Thank you. I have him on sand so been stirring it up to get as much as possible. Took all the bogwood out today too and have it a scrub. Fingers crossed it'll clear soon. He only has 2 little spots now so much less that before. Hoping that's a good sign

Just remember to keep treating him two weeks past the last visible spot to ensure it's all gone.

Thank you all for your help. We both very much appreciate it

It's no problem. If you have any more questions or concerns let us know, and of course, keep us updated on how he's doing.

I'm getting concerned because he's still getting spots. I'm following all your advice, water changes, replacing the lost salt, vacuuming daily, high water temp. He's doing fine, breathing is good and is behaving as normal. He's stopped rubbing on the bogwood. Where am I going wrong? What more can I do? I'm worried what it will do to him having this for so long.

What is your temperature at? and can we get a picture update please?

On his fins too or just the body?

Temp is 85/86. Yes, 1 or 2 spots on his fins. The spots are coming and going quickly but its not being killed when water born. I've increased the salt twice now but still a little nervous of overdose. I'll try to get a new pic. Trouble is that he's usually covered in sand so I need to wait for a clear shot, otherwise its difficult to tell what's ich and what's sand on the photo.