The Puffer Forum

If it is eating, infuse hexamite (metramitizol, sp) into some food. That should clear the internal bacterial infection.

I know you feel horrible.

I had a fahaka a while back and lost him after trying everything I could. After he stopped eating for a couple of weeks I called around to see if any vet in the area who treated "exotic pets" would take a look at a fish and found one. After feeling around, the vet said that it was most likely a tumor, if not fish tuberculosis, and prescribed a series of single-dose antibiotic shots to see if it helped. In my case, it didn't help and the puff succumbed a few days later during one of the many force-feeding attempts. I mention this because of the antibiotic shots, not because the symptoms look similar, as I could not visibly discern any lump and you've got a series of illnesses on your hands, which as you mention, points to a shared cause.

So if the bad clams are the case, the optimistic part is that your fahaka has survived the poisoning for more than two weeks and he had plenty of time to let it kill him. I have no experience with epsom salt, but if you're going to introduce it, I would do so carefully - I'm not sure you want to dehydrate a very compromised fish. From what I've read about shellfish poisoning, as long as breathing continues then recovery is quite possible.

Very best of luck.

Not eating at all. Not even moving for that matter at this point. My biggest concern is that he has not eaten in almost 3 weeks.

Has not really moved for about 36 hrs at this point.

Did my usual tests in the morning -- He is still breathing and reacted to me tapping the glass and putting light on him. Moved his eyes around.

Will reapply the epsom salt and melafix again tonight. Thursday I will do a water change to clear this stuff out a little bit I think.

Is dehydration a true concern over just 48-72 hrs of being in salt?

I really wouldn't think so, especially in a FW fish. I'd keep the epsom salt and Melafix in there all the time. I'd probably try metro as well. Do you have a sedative on hand?

Is it back in its normal tank or still in a tiny one?

Epsom salt used externally should not cause dehydration.
He wasn't in the small tank for long, he put him back into the main tank.

Flutter wrote:I really wouldn't think so, especially in a FW fish. I'd keep the epsom salt and Melafix in there all the time. I'd probably try metro as well. Do you have a sedative on hand?

Is it back in its normal tank or still in a tiny one?

Normal tank -- Metro?

Metronidazole. It's the only antibacterial that is easy to get here and I know is safe for sensitive fish. It's a tough situation, I wish we could help more.

Where could this be purchased at? Just out of curiosity. So I know.

I looked it up -- Is this a human OTC medicine that works in fish?

Humans can use it too as can all sorts of animals. We bought ours at the local store, it's made by Seachem and comes in a little blue tube. It can also be found in the Jungle anti parasite fizz tabs. Probably at a lower dose though and then it's mixed with other medications. To be honest, with the way things are going I would give anything a try. I have never dealt with anything like this before and truly am baffled as to how to safely and effectively save this fish. Personally, I would force feed some medication but that's my uneducated decision.

Another dose of Melafix & epsom salt added. No antibiotics at this point. I wanted to give him 48-72 solid hrs of this to see if any improvement happens. He still has not moved in about 3-4 days at this point. He reacts to light when I point a flashlight at him and knock on the glass. He realizes what is going on.

Lump still looks the same. I was going to attempt to "burp" him before bed tonight around 10PM. I realize I don't know everything obviously, but I don't think this is an air bubble. I could be wrong though.

New symptom -- Some kind of sore on his belly. Right on top of the "lump" -- Verified it was just not a piece of junk rolling around in the aquarium.

Pictures below.

http://img849.imageshack.us/i/img0688ww.jpg/

http://img221.imageshack.us/i/img0689wya.jpg/

Could be some kind of worms coming out?

Omg! You are stronger than me...I wouldn't be able to watch that
I really hope this guy pulls through.

He was still alive this morning, same stuff.

Will be home shortly to take a look again.

Ok, situation has worsened. I am fairly certain he's in pain now. Whatever is in there is attempting to push out and is about to bust his stomach open.

These pictures are for documentation purposes, I am going to OD him on clove oil -- Need to run to store to get it. I really can't take seeing him suffer anymore. Poor fish.

http://img807.imageshack.us/i/img0690b.jpg/

http://img27.imageshack.us/i/img0691hy.jpg/

If anyone has any final somewhat concrete suggestions for antibiotics or tactics, speak now or forever hold your peace!