The Puffer Forum

Where do you live?
How about Furan-2 (Nitrofurazone) or Triple Sulfa?

I live in North Central Iowa.....A small town called Klemme. It's about 30 miles SW of Mason City.

I'm gonna guess that unfortunatly I probobly won't be able to find any meds that aren't available at Petco. That place has about as good of selection of meds as the actual fish shops around here.

I will be heading up there (Petco) in an hour or so. I believe I should be able to get one of those meds there...seems as though they are common.

about 1/2 hour ago I was observing him and it appeared that some of the swelling had gone down a bit from earlier today and looking closer it appears as though maybe one of the pockets in his mouth may have ruptured......there was what looked to be a pinkish fluid being exhaled. Not a lot just barely enough to notice...it is still going on.

I'm way beyond worried now...........

I picked up some triple sulfa.....

I also located Furan 2 but I have to drive about 75 miles to get it and won't be able go to till tomorrow....

Would it be ok to use triple sulfa and Furan 2 together? I noticed that the product "ultra cure bx" has triple sulfa and nitrofurazone in it.

I am going to change water and start on triple sulfa tonight unless any of you say otherwise........

I GREATLY appreciate all the help.......This puffer means a lot to us, or obviously we wouldn't be spending almost 3 times the cost of the fish to treat it....I hope it works.....

Just use one product + Melafix.

Nitrofurans are reportedly more effective in slightly acid pH, whereas the sulfas are more effective in slightly alkaline settings. Assuming you have a pH of around 7.6-7.8, my preference would be to hold out for the Furan-2 and treat with it. Make sure you buy enough for at least two full treatments!

On day one I would begin by dosing twice the recommended initial dose. Day two, do a 50% water change (this is double the recommended change) and then do another double dose. Day three onward, continue as per directions.

Neither med is a true antibiotic, but rather an antibacterial that works by inhibiting the metabolism of the bacteria. It's up to the fish's immune system to kill the offending bacteria, and that can be assisted by maintaining perfect water quality - provide strong aeration and make larger water changes as necessary (that is, if ammonia or nitrite become detectable, or nitrate gets over 10ppm).

Good luck!

Thank God, someone to help that knows about meds! I don't.

Anyone have any other suggestions? I guess I am unclear as to what should be going on...... Is it going to take a while for the swelling to go down? Or should the swelling start going down immediately????

Can anyone give any insight as to time frames? How do I know if it is a lost cause? Does it have to get worse before it gets better?

The poor guy has had the triple sulfa (double dose) 50% water change.......same thing again. In the meantime I had acquired some Furan 2. 50% water change and a double dose. 50% again and another double dose.....then started normal dosing......All this has been accompanied by Mela-fix. I have 3 days of Furan 2 left.....

Can anyone give advice for the next step besides prey?

Finish dosing and watch for any change. I wouldn't give up yet. It could take a little bit of time for things to improve.

Prey as in food, or pray?

I wouldn't give up yet. You are doing the right thing now, so give it some time.

Results vary from bacteria to meds, to water parameters, to treatment periods. I suggest that if you see no change whatsoever at the end of the sulfa treatment, replace all the water in the tank and start with the Furan-2.

Bred wrote:Results vary from bacteria to meds, to water parameters, to treatment periods. I suggest that if you see no change whatsoever at the end of the sulfa treatment, replace all the water in the tank and start with the Furan-2.

He's been on Furan 2 for 3 days.

Update.......

NO improvements. Gave last dose of Furan 2 / Mela-fix today.

The swelling has gotten worse. I really don't think the poor guy is gonna last much longer.

Is this when I'm supposed to put him down? This may sound silly but as a last resort is it possible to remove the infection in any way shape or form? Any way to relieve to swelling?

I think at this point the most hunane thing to do is to euthanize. Clove oil overdose is probably the most painless way.

I'd wait to see what others say though.

I guess I am just a little upset because I have no idea what I did wrong. I followed all the necassary steps to treat this IMO. I listened to all the advice I was given. I got all the mediaction I was told to get. Followed directions the best I could with what info I was given. And even despite spending over three times what was paid for the fish I still end up with this result.....

I currently have about 65 fish. This is the first one that has died from a disease of any sort in well over a year.

I need to know what to quarentine the next Fahaka with so I can be ASSURED this WILL NOT happen again. This fish meant a lot to us. It had a VERY unique personality unmatched by any other fish in the house. I am guessing I will be looking for another Fahaka by tom morning. Truly amazing fish.....very sad to be loosing one.

Sometimes illness is just too advanced to be able to cure. Once the infection is deeply internal, there isn't a lot we can do.

The best treatment is preventative, ie, buying only specimens that look healthy and come from a good environment, followed by quarentine, and subsequent excelent care.

There are going to be unfortunate cases when our best efforts will prove useless.

Very sorry about the little guy.