The Puffer Forum

Pufferpunk wrote:Awww... he's smiling!

He/She actually does that ALOT LoL.. Waits for something to swim into (his) mouth. LoL
Are they all soo bloody agressive? The first cleaning I did after I got him he was chasing me around the tank and I honestly had to get my hand out asap be cause he did the whole puckering up and turned his tail and fanned it.. I was like :O He's about to take a chunk outta me!!!!
He LOVES food!

O eh is there anyway to tell if (he/she) sex?

How are the parameters now? You can also do WC before dosing.

Just Tested, Results as Follows;

High Range PH: 8.4ppm
Low Range PH: 7.6ppm
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 5ppm

I tested low range and high range because the low range seemed off the charts, so I did the high range and it was bloody near off the charts @ 8.4ppm.
I should buy a PH conditioner I think eh? It should be around 7.5 right? Well from what I've researched I've read from 7.5-8.0.

PH is a little high, but it's better to have a stable PH than it is to condition it and have it vary. so don't worry about that.

Don't add anything--fish can adjust to most pH. What's the pH of your tap water?

Jase wrote:PH is a little high, but it's better to have a stable PH than it is to condition it and have it vary. so don't worry about that.
I think you could add peat moss to your filter though if it really concerns you. (please correct me if I'm wrong)

Peat Moss! No kidding. Well if it doesn't bother him then I'll just leave it alone. I asked the d00d at the LFS yesterday when he suggested Liquid Fungus Cure over Melafix and he said in my area it is about 8.0ppm and he said not to worry about it. The guy seemed very informative and has been working at that store for 12 years. So, so it seems they aren't all IDIOTS @ the LFS. =)

I asked him about leaving him in brackish and he said well flood season does happen in Africa and it is honestly upon your own discretion. He said he would survive in brackish and fresh. Most of the people at the store say brackish 1.0008-0012. Meh, I'm keeping him in fresh. Screw salt =)

Pufferpunk wrote:Don't add anything--fish can adjust to most pH. What's the pH of your tap water?

I actually didn't test the tap water, just in the tank. I'll test it right now =)

no, forget the peat moss. my bad
I would take Malefix over most meds any day. they also make Pimafix which is directed more towards fungal infections.
they are definately FW. they live in rivers, and flood season is from rain... also FW

Pufferpunk wrote:Don't add anything--fish can adjust to most pH. What's the pH of your tap water?

Between 7.8-8.0ppm

Screw salt

Save yourself lots of $$$! I don't know what they are refering to about flood waters making the Nile River brackish. Just because a guy has been working at a LFS for 12 years, doesn't mean he has pracitical, long-term experience keeping pufffers. He could have been fed the wrong info from books & bad internet sites. I do believe the BEST practical info on pufferkeeping is right here!

Jase wrote:no, forget the peat moss. my bad
I would take Malefix over most meds any day. they also make Pimafix which is directed more towards fungal infections.
they are definately FW. they live in rivers, and flood season is from rain... also FW

I see well then I'll trust the puffer forum over the LFS! =) Though honestly the Liquid Fungus worked amazing. It was like crack for a fish LoL. He was very blah. Him and the feeder were friends... The feeder was swimming on front of, on top, everywhere around him and he wouldn't even flinch! Honestly 15 hours later, after turning my tank GREEN with the Liquid Fungus he went nuts after the feeder. =)

So nice too see him being himself =) (Trying to bite his reflection!)

I was never unsure the fungus med would help cure your fish. Just overkill IMO, since a natural, more mild med would have also done the job.

Pufferpunk wrote:

Screw salt

Save yourself lots of $$$! I don't know what they are refering to about flood waters making the Nile River brackish. Just because a guy has been working at a LFS for 12 years, doesn't mean he has pracitical, long-term experience keeping pufffers. He could have been fed the wrong info from books & bad internet sites. I do believe the BEST practical info on pufferkeeping is right here!

I agree! He said he's got a Orange Saddle and neglects it a lot. Though he said when he gets near the tank it burrows, soo. But yes I agree with you. I will most definitely come here for any information I need on puffers. There is too much BS like you say out there in books/net.

Pufferpunk wrote:I was never unsure the fungus med would help cure your fish. Just overkill IMO, since a natural, more mild med would have also done the job.

Honestly yea. LFS was saying Melafix would be the more mild approach and the Liquid Fungus would be a a much more abrasive approach. But it worked so I'm The d00d also suggested I grab a swab and dip it in some Liquid Fungus and catch him and dab his eye with it? I was not to sure on this approach
and didn't do it.
But Thanks ALOT for suggestions. Melafix was the only thing the LFS had out of all you all suggested... I asked about Bio Spira and he was saying they stopped carrying it 6-7 years ago. Wasn't selling.

Ummm... I am pretty sure B-S wasn't around 6-7 years ago. I'm glad you didn't stress that poor fish further by catching & swabbing it's eye--it seems to be healing just fine. I'm also glad to hear the params are good in there. Just keep testing. I hope the green doesn't stain the silacone.