The Puffer Forum

Quite possible that the bacteria count has increased to a number that is infectious.

Inverts are notarious for transmitting pathogens.

Hard to say what the discoloration is without a pic and even more diagnostic would be a fin scraping or clipping/microscopic exam.

His tail is back to normal. The black is totally gone. I hope it actually stays gone though...

What do you mean by the bacteria count has increased to a number that is infectious?

Thanks

When a bacterial pathogen is introduced into a tank, there is a limited number. If conditions are "right" for the bacteria, it will grow/reproduce/multiple. In other words where there was just a limited number, there may be many now (increased bacterial count).

If the fish is stressed, weakened immune sytem, poor nutritional status - it will not be able to fight off the bacteria.

Oh ok, I understand now. I really hope it does not come back! We have tried to do everything we can to keep the conditions in his tank "ideal" and keep nitrates below 5. Hoping the new refugium will lower them even more!

Anyways, thanks for all your help! I was hoping to get a good photo but the tail has no signs of the black anymore and looks totally normal.

Do you have any idea of what it MAY have been? What is the common diseases that turn a puffers tail black?

Black tails are not common - so for the common cause - would have to guess it would be injury or bacteria.

sigh...As quickly as it went away, it has come back...Overnight. Its really, really bad now too. I really dont understand why it would keep clearing up to the point where you cant see any black at all to being a very dark black half way up his tail fin. We have no idea what we should be doing but Im really worried about this now. Never seen or heard of this kind of thing.

He is still swimming around normally except that he will not fan his tail at all. Its quite clamped. Here are the best two pics I could get with my camera phone. Sorry about the poor quality...

Heres another one...

My boyfriend was just reading my posts and pointed out that I have all the sizes of the fish wrong...Apparently hes 12" or so now...Not that it makes a big difference...

Few more pics...

Anyone????

Its even worse than when I took these pics a few days ago! Im getting very worried. I have been spending many hours a day trying to figure this out but NO ONE has any ideas...Hes such a big part of our family and we really don't want to loose him to this.

Anyone have anything we can try? I don't want to just stand by as this gets worse.

Not ignorinng you/your puffer or this thread but have been at MACNA in PA doing a presentation - which by the way was an awesome conference this year!!

If it is getting worse - ie spreading/not using it normally, treatment should be started - hospital tank with antibiotics. No tank mates as sick or injured fish feel vulnerable and often get intimidated/picked on. Chronic or acute stress directly affects the disease process - becoming afflicted, being successfully treated, etc.....

Thanks again. What type of antibiotics should I use?

You will have to separate the puffer from other tank mates. Do not treat the entire tank.

Baths are another option, but isolating is the best choice.

Nitrofurazone, kanamycin or maracyn-2 are all good antibiotic choices.

Yes, I plan on isolating him but unfortunately, all I have to do so is a 33G. Im not even sure that he will be able to turn around in it. Approximately how long do you think he will have to be in isolation?

Oh and should he be brought back to marine conditions from hyposalinity first? If not, do I use fresh or salt water meds?

If we did try baths with Maracyn 2, how long and at what concentration would be best? I am still not sure if we should do a bath in saltwater or keep him at 1.010 that he is at now?