The Puffer Forum

Nothing has changed with the lighting. And idk if it would be a tape worm. I know he doesn't have a skeletal structure but it almost looks like some sort of pelvic bone like he is underfed or something (which I know he is not). Its rather strange and when visible, you can usually see it on both sides.

I wish I could help more, but it's just not something I'm familiar with. It sounds like some internal parasite considering that it seems to move, sort of. It did make me think of this thread dealing with IP's. Perhaps it can help some:
viewtopic.php?t=15849

If the lump moves or reappears and disappears it is most likely a tapeworm. That's what Annabelle had, one very long tapeworm. It just appeared one day as an odd lump that moved. I had to retreat her for IP's. It took a few treatments before it was all gone. There were no signs before that day.

Here are a couple pictures of the bump in question. They arent the greatest pictures but the best I could get with my phone. Hopefully they will be good enough for a more definitive answer.

Yes that does indeed look suspect. If it moves I would start ip treatment right away.

I went ahead and started a treatment so we will see how it goes. Also any suggestions on keeping him from pushing his mouth against the front swimming back and forth? He is developing a sore on his top lip.

Did you read that thread on Annabelle on how she treated her for tapeworms?

Yes I did but the difference is that the bumps are not in the stomach they seem to be more on the side behind the fins.

Oh man, :/ I am really routing for his recovery!

Tapeworms live in the intestines, not the stomach.

I don't mean to sound like I am arguing that it isn't tape worms because I am really open to anything. I am treating for IP's my only concern is that the bump does not look like any other tapeworm picture I have seen. But I believe you all and will treat accordingly.

Does it look to be under the skin? Does it have a white head to it?

It is definitely under the skin but I can't see if there is a head. When I hold him it seem way to hard to be a worm. As I was cleaning out my tank I was meticulously looking at everything in there and noticed what appear to be these worm casings as seen in the pictures below. At first I only saw them on my ornaments and then saw them in pieces (im assuming I broke them up while using the gravel vac) all over the gravel. Could this be contributing?

I know the anti parasite medications will instruct to add to the water column, but the food needs to be soaked in the medication in order to effectively kill the worms.
You can use crushed garlic or garlic extract to hide the medicated flavor and stimulate the appetite.

Yes I am soaking the food as well as adding it directly to the tank. Is there any reason a tapeworm would cause him to shy away from certain foods? Whenever I give him shrimp now, he seems to go after it, get it in his mouth, and then spit it out and open and close his mouth really quick flashing his teeth Strangely enough, he will go after the clams on the half shell and seem to bite into the shell no problem, but sometimes he will do this with the clams as well.