The Puffer Forum

I did a WC, opened up the eheim to see how dirty the filters are from last week. Everything looks good, so I turned it back on. Added some salt, and Melafix. I will have to see how he is doing tomorrow morning.

Another pic

Sorry your haveing so many problems hope things start to turn around for the little guy.

Are the parameters good? I'd start treating with Maracyn I & II, in addition to the Melafix & salt.

Parameters are good. He wont eat, when I saw him this morning.. he was floating around again. When I walked closer to the tank, he sunk to the bottom. His favorite food was frozen krill (larger krill) But I cant find any in town, at one LFS today they said alot of the frozen foods are not making it through customs here in Canada. I tried some market prawn, and no go. He doesnt look good at all. I think I might have to put him out tomorrow so hes not suffering anymore.

Have you tried something live, like an earthworm? Have you tried stronger meds?

Nothing live yet. I went to the nearest Canadian Tire to see if they have any bait earthworms but they didnt. None of the LFS had live earthworms.

I still have the API Triple Sulfa here at home. But by the looks of the puffer, he might not make it to the morning.

Anything other than Maracyn ot Melafix can destroy your biological bed but at this point, I'd try anything.

Where are you in Canada? If you are near Burlington, I have millions of earthworms in my garden, and chemical-free. In the frozen seafood section, both Metro and Fortinos/Loblaws have a seafood blend that has bits of everything, only (I think) 3.99 a bag. Metro also has live littleneck clams, which my guys are currently loving...
MOPS.ca is right in Hamilton, too, and allows pickup, so any meds you need, check there...
Anything I can do to help, let me know...

If he feels as bad as he looks, he's not gonna eat. Gotta clean up his skin problem 1st.

Where in Canada?

Well, his skin looked like it was healing. But when I got home today and went upstairs to dose the tank with Melafix and Maracyn. He looked half dead. At this point he hasnt eaten for 1.5 weeks.. I picked up some earthworms and tried to wiggle it around to get his attention.. but no go, he kept hitting the side of the tank.

I had to euthanize him It was probably one of the hardest things I had to do myself. I actually wanted to throw him in a recovery bucket because i didnt want to go through with it. I used clover oil until I didnt see his gills moving, i didnt have a ziploc big enough so I put him in vacuum pack and sealed it, he is now in the freezer.

So with a heavy heart, I have to announce that he is no longer with us

Thanks for all the help guys

Wow, so sorry to hear that.

aww thats really sad:(
you did the decent thing and didnt let his suffering go on.
am sorry to hear he didnt make it rip

That is very sad, so sorry for your loss. I was really hoping when I started reading this that you were going to say that he was recovering. I always feel really horrible when one of my puffers dies, even the little dwarf ones. But you did all you could to try and get your puffer to better health.

I'm sorry to hear that things weren't going well, but I have to agree I back you up on your decision. It's a hard call to make, but I feel you did it in the best interest of your dear Fahaka. I'm sure he had a happy life, and you did all you could - sometimes there just isn't enough you can do.

<3