The Puffer Forum

My GF got a figure 8 puffer(who also had TERRIBLE internal parasites and was so weak he had trouble swimming) out of a MARINE tank at a local petco, covered with SW ich. Moving him down to full FW(which a F8 can tollerate fine briefly) NUKED the sw ich. It was totally gone in 2 days. You will find SG 1.009 just as effective, and probably only a bit slower.

You all made it much clearer to me I will lower the salinity in the tank slowly during water changes. How much should I be looking to lower it during each water change? I will be doing daily water changes during the salinity lowering process and then will water change as needed based on my levels.
Thank you all again for the great advice and clear instructions. It is all much clearer now.

No problem, we are here to help and really only want your puffers to be healthy and happy.

zodojoco wrote:I will lower the salinity in the tank slowly during water changes. How much should I be looking to lower it during each water change?

Isn't that mentioned in the article?

I checked and I don't think Kelly added that in her article. Each daily water change, I would say reduce the SG by .003-4, less if the fish are especially stressed/ill. Be sure to add the new water slowly. Also make sure the new water is pH adjusted if needed and the temperature is close to the tank's temp. Premix the water each day for the water change the next day.

Reducing the SG by the above amount should give you 1.009-10 within 4-5 days. Do you have any pictures of the fish with the dirt-like flecks yet?

*Edited to correct a typo with the salinity- 1.009, NOT 1.09! Sorry for the confusion

If it's not in her article, I know she posted that here somewhere.

I have taken quite a few pics but nothing seems to come out good. All you can see is a blurry puffer. I don't have a good camera. I will keep trying.