The Puffer Forum

Pufferpunk wrote:My vet gives them to me.

That's a good idea! I have to pick up some medicine Monday for my older kitty, if the pharmacy won't sell me one, I can buy one from them.

Do you have any idea what makes him do this?

I guessing some internal parasite, I tried several medications, and the food treated with Parasite clear was the only thing that worked.

Do you think he came that way? And is it a common problem with their species?

I don't know about him coming that way, we've had him since he was 2", and he's 9" now, pretty sure we've had him about 2 years now. Might have been something he ate. Either way, he has tankmates of 2 American Flag Fish, 2 Siamese Algae Eaters, a BN pleco and an Atabapo pleco, I'm soaking their food too. But the BN pleco, Barbra Streisand, is a fat mean wa\rus, and she's going to Fintastic when we make it up there.

I have been treating his worms with Parasite Clear, since that is the last medication I listed when he had this the first time, but it's not making any change in his behavior. I was hoping I wouldn't have to move him from his home again, but I have set up a hospital tank for him, and I'll be moving him over tomorrow. Since I don't know exactly what it is, but that it did recur within a few months upon returning to the main tank, I have to assume that whatever it is, it's in this tank. I considered that it might be the supplements added to the tank for the plants, since that was one thing that was different from before this ailment, but I'm thinking that it may be that the Atabapo Butterfly pleco may have brought something into the tank, even though he was quarantined. I think he may just not exhibit the same symptoms, since he can't bite his own tail, but may have been carrying whatever this is.

So considering this, I have no choice but to remove all the other 6 fish besides Mortimer as well, and quarantine and treat all of them, 2 separate tanks, Mortimer in one, the other 6 in another. I'll have to build fish traps because there is no other way I'm going to be able to catch them all.
I'm super excited about having to catch all the fish, and about doing gigantic daily water changes and medications indefinitely! :/

that sucks seven, I hope all turns out well

Hey Seven its been awhile. Now your bichir still havin problems? Sorry I could not have read anything since the last time I left off. Had alot going on through the summer. Btw, looks like you been moving on up in the world . Now if I ever have a problem on this site (only to the web bots) then I will come to you, friend...lol.

Welcome back!
Yeah, he was good for a while, but it's back. I am still trying to treat him within the tank, I have a hospital tank set up just in case though.
Glad you are back

Ty for the welcome . Im glad to see you are still workin with him because alot of people would had gave up by now. You got a big heart .