The Puffer Forum

Looks worse again... I wish I didn't have to wait a whole 2 days between shots! At least he's still swimming upright & eating.

Are the shots supposed to re-start his kidneys?

Antibiotics. I wondered the same myself. It really is a horrible situation with only 5% chance of recuperation (or less).

Yes. That definitely sucks.

Awwwww that poor guy. Well PP, your doing your best.

5% is small. I think with your determination and abilities that should increase. 5% for Joe average doesn't always equate to that of someone skilled

bertie 83 wrote:5% is small. I think with your determination and abilities that should increase. 5% for Joe average doesn't always equate to that of someone skilled

I agree. I think that statistic is surely skewed toward the folks that aren't as experienced and probably aren't even giving their fish the proper basics.

Francis is in great hands, and I'm sure he can feel that. If he is meant to pull through this, he certainly will.

Horsefeathers! Poppycock! PP is absolutely correct to a bit conservative. Clean water is never, repeat never stressful so long as the existing tank water is good as well. She could do more. This thread sound like very ancient history, with old-fashioned hobbyists being wary of Dr. Innes' suggestions to do routine partials on established tanks.

There is no, repeat no, risk at all to 100% - 200% daily water changes. What rock have you folks been hiding under the last 20 -50+ years? Don't you know ant commercial breeders? Their tropical breeding stock, their crowded early fry (including discus and GF) also get more than 100% daily partials. Flow-throw system with giant loads can exceed those figures.

Clean water is better than less-clean water. Fish with dropsy have zero resistance to pollution. Fresh, clean water is supportive therapy, something to keep the critter alive in case the ultimate cause is something that supportive treatment may provide time for recovery.

The lady knows what she is about. It may or may not work, but it is a fully valid shot. Leave her to it.

OFF soap box, return to regular programming.

Thanks Robert, I know better.

2nd injection done on Francis. Good news--he's still alive. This is a very fast-killing disease & he's had it for about a week now. Bad news--he doesn't look any better.

We weren't doubting pp or her routines, we were purely putting up a question as to whether more small partials would be better. Sorry he doesn't seem to be getting better. Hopefully he will in time

Myself, although not an authority, and others (who are) do believe that too much at once is a stress factor. There are many variables that come into play during large water changes. I say large water changes vs continuous water changes, where old water is constantly being flushed out as new water is being added.

A large water change (in my minds eye) is taking out say 90% of the water. Then adding back in 90% of the water. Temperate, turbulence, short periods of ammonia spikes are all factors that come into play. While the equipment is off these variables are not as linear as we would like them to believe. Sure the water quality is better after the change. It is the procedure of doing such a large change all at once that may (key word there), have a negative impact.

Others believe that super clean water may also have a negative effect on the fish's immune system because it isn't building the necessary antibodies it needs to cope. I don't know how true this may be, but the theory is solid.

it is just not a procedure I would do... If I had to (and have in the past) do very large changes, I hook up the python to drain and match the in flow with another hose. But again, the numbers tell you when to do a water change and how much. 90% for the sake of 90% I (personally) don't feel is practical.

not to jump in this nice conversation, but ultimately me doing a water change was the demise of my GSP. he freaked out and ingested air while thrashing around, and this wasnt the only time he freaked out while doing a change, he freaked out almost every time i touched the inside of the tank. imo it could also depend how the fish takes to changes. if he is like some puffers i heard on here who couldnt be bothered and just hang out in the corner til the owner is done it probably wouldnt be any added stress, but others you would think they were afraid of being beaten and do anything and everything to get away

Having a timid fish is a totally different subject. We were saying about doing 90% at once.

But each fish reacts differently. Some like it some not so . GF in general love the cascading action of water. They may or may not like having their belly dragged on the substrate during the process.

short periods of ammonia spikes

??? I am very good about matching the temp, which would be the only difference between the new water & present water in the tank.