The Puffer Forum

OH thats very possible LOL. Either way 20 is still high

True, but he did say under 20, so not choo choo high, but getting there. If he's using strips, under 20 could be anything from 0-19, it starts at 20.

That's why I love liquid tests. I try to keep my nitrates under 5 if possible. No need for me to ever worry about them that way.

I will try the Epsom salt. How long and how often should it be added?

Only add 1x. Have you seen the fellow poop?

I have not seen him poop in the past couple of days, however, I am gone from 8-4 every day. I def do not see bowel movements from him as often as I did when he was younger. When he was younger it seems like he was going every other day. Now it seems like when I see them it is more around once a week. But like I said I could just be missing them. I am doing a water change today and adding the epsom salt as well.

Does the Epsom salt go away on its own or should I do some water changes to get it out?

Regular weekly water changes will be all you need.

Thanks PP!

How is your puffer doing Bryan?

Well he seems to be acting more normal now, however, it still does not seem like he has the appetite he had before. He doesn't seem to want to go after the krill anymore and he doesn't seem to want to eat more than one clam or one crab/crawfish. I have started adding some garlic to the tank as well as to the vita-chem soak but it doesn't seem to be working.

Ah I see.
FYI, discontinue the krill feeding asap, I don't remember which university is doing the study to determine how this happens, but puffers fed krill develop lockjaw, and it can be fatal.
You could give him some time, and try offering him something after a few days off.

It's OK as an occasional treat.

How is his appetite and behavior now? Any changes/improvements? How is the lump?

Well his appetite still has not recovered and the lump only seems to show up every other day or so. He also appears to be much more active with the lights off I also recently noticed a lot of detris build up under my bio balls and at the bottom of my sump so I cleaned that out thinking that could be making some difference, even though I haven't gotten a high nitrate reading or anything abnormal in the chemistry department. He just seems to be getting by as opposed to happily thriving.

Has anything changed with the lighting recently? New bulbs?
Does the lump change locations, or just reappear? That's odd that it isn't there constantly. Could it be a tapeworm or something?