The Puffer Forum

You never mentioned his size? Large puffers can go quite some time without food. I suggest soaking his foods in the meds & add garlic for taste & appetite enhancement.

He is 24 inches long. So quite a large guy and really heavy. I already tried the garlic and medication soaked food. He hated it...
His lump on his right side softened a bit. I think he can go a few more days without food. He is not the skinniest anyway.

Does he like live earthworms? You can inject meds into them.
Also, recheck your water parameters. How large is his tank?

I am hesitant to feed him live things because of parasites. I usually freeze his food for several days at -50Fahrenheit or -45Celsius (reach sushi quality).
His quarantine tank is around 150 gallons. I have been doing 100% daily water changes for the last 5 days.

he is much better now. I will treat him 5 more days.

YAY!

is it normal that his anus looks kind of red and sore after treatment for internal parasites? It looks a bit red from all the pooping and is slightly open. Other than that he is okay.

His anus is still open. Do I have to do something or is that part of the progress?

Edit: It is not over yet. Just rechecked his poop and there are still a few dead nematodes. Found three.. we are getting there.

You can add 1 tbsp/10g Epsom salt for his swollen butt.

I found something weird in his poop today. Red nematods and some round creatures. All worms are dead and not moving. I found only one single moving round bacteria (?).
Maybe someone can help with ID?

Well... today will be probably a sad day..
he is not doing so well... and he is getting weaker and weaker..
He only breathes 5 times a minute..

4 days ago when I came home he had an cardiac arrest and was not breathing anymore.
I immediately started to massage his chest for an hour and put a tube connected to a small pump in his mouth to provide oxygen. I was able to revive him.

Today when I came home he had an cardiac arrest again but this time it does not seem to work.


this really makes me really sad. And I will probably never keep a puffer again

I think it is time... to say goodbye
Going to put him to sleep with some clove oil. So he does not have to suffer anymore.
I hope he is not angry because I could not save him.
He was a friend that brought so much joy.

Going to bury him with some of his favorite frozen snails and clams.
So he has some snacks on his way to heaven.
May he rest in peace.

I'm so sorry... You really tried! I'm sure he'll be waiting for you in heaven.

I hope he is now in a better place. Not suffering anymore.
I just buried him wrapped in a white cloth with his snacks next to an old tree. Put a nice stone on his grave.

The tank is now so empty. I already miss him

thanks pufferpunk for all your help.

I just came across Filbert's story. very sorry to hear.
Did you bury him too?
I guess saying goodbyes is just a natural part of the hobby.
I kept many different fish but his passing hit me the hardest. Puffers can show emotions quite well and they recognize you. It is like a family member.