The Puffer Forum

Shortly after I posted this, the worm broke through under his beak.

Freaking out, I quickly googled something to knock him out so I could get the worm out-petstores are all closed right now. Discovered that clove oil works, and it deff did. He was out right away when I put him in the separate container with the already made solution of water a 2 drops clove. I used tweezers and started to pull on the worm gently. Got it out, but it deff did not go all the way to the tail. I am not sure if the worm broke off, or if there is more than one in there. The large lump on his tail still stays. I didnt have enough time to try and investigate that one, for he started coming back within a few mins. I quickly put him back in his tank, he came to. Is back to swimming around again, but is a little groggy. I added some safe start to the tank and I need to get mellafix (dang, why didnt I stop by the store within the last few weeks to get a bottle?!) Praying he keeps to, and will get a bottle in the morning. Have a bad feeling that this may have to be redone soon though...

here is the worm-it's in a separate little baggy of clove oil and water. I know if its clove oil is strong enough, it can kill the fish...so had to be careful. But I hope that it's doing its job to this stupid worm

You're pretty brave doing that. I'm afraid you just got a segment of the worm though.

Pufferpunk wrote:You're pretty brave doing that. I'm afraid you just got a segment of the worm though.

Thank you I figured I had to at least try. I couldnt let him suffer any longer-especially with that thing stickng out of him like that. It scared me when he started coming back though. I had just placed my hand gently under him like 10 seconds before it to look at the other bump.

I'm afraid you are right though. The lump on his tail is still there this morning. I gave him a ghost shrimp this morning, he's happily munching away on it. Hoping to go and get some Mellafix in a few, and see what comes of all of this. He's a tough little guy, which is great. I just wish that I had been able to get the whole thing out. If this happens again, I'll be having to pull the thing out again-hopefully all of it this time though.

All you can do is keep him as happy as possible, for as long as you have him.

Liliana,

I think I said before that what is happening to your GSP sounds almost exactly the same as what happened to mine - this is even more true now. My puffer also had 2 bumps and one of the worms also broke out of its head (though on my puffer it came out between and above his eyes). The other worm/bump continued to move around but eventually came to rest near the puffer's tail. My puffer died about 2 weeks after this happened. He (or she) was in a very weakened and distressed state for about one week before finally succumbing. I am not sure what the exact cause of death was but if I could go back in time I would have tried to remove the worm near its tail.

wetmartini wrote:Liliana,

I think I said before that what is happening to your GSP sounds almost exactly the same as what happened to mine - this is even more true now. My puffer also had 2 bumps and one of the worms also broke out of its head (though on my puffer it came out between and above his eyes). The other worm/bump continued to move around but eventually came to rest near the puffer's tail. My puffer died about 2 weeks after this happened. He (or she) was in a very weakened and distressed state for about one week before finally succumbing. I am not sure what the exact cause of death was but if I could go back in time I would have tried to remove the worm near its tail.

Ifthe worm died near the puffers tail, then it could have just died then rotted and maybe then killed the puffer? I just attempted to remove it, without success. It is deff only one worm, and Im almost positive this worm is dead.I tried to create a small incision to remove it, but just couldn't cut through. I dont know if the blade wasnt sharp enough or what, but its very hard to slice their skin because it is all slimy. I feel super bad, and now that I've done this twice want more than anything just to remove it, but don't know with what. and it sucks because I know my time is running out with this. I feel super bad putting him under all that stress. this time he even puffed up a little afterwards. But he's fine now-swimming around again. With a dumb worm lump under his skin >_<

What did you use to cut with? You need a super-sharp scalpel. Their thick, leathery skin is covered with tiny spines--it's like trying to cut through sandpaper.

I know if its clove oil is strong enough, it can kill the fish...so had to be careful. But I hope that it's doing its job to this stupid worm

If you have been using Clove Oil one thing to also consider is every time you use it you actually increase your chances of injuring your puffer to the point that it never regains consciousness.
If you have to use it in the future make sure is is absolutely necessary and make sure you get the job done the first time. There is very little room for mistakes or multiple attempts due to this.

I agree--CO stops their breathing, causing eventual brain damage. Ise MS222: Finquel.

Thanks guys- I didnt think about the clove oil damage..that's why I have you guys here to help!
I was attempting to use an exacto...but a scalpel would deff be a lot sharper and more sterile. I noticed the sandpaper skin pretty dang quickly and got him back into his tank as fast as possible once I wasnt able to make the cut. I feel like I've got one last chance to get this thing out and I need to do it right.

So..do you guys have any suggestions of where to get these items? preferably as least expensive as possible? And something maybe to point me in the right direction of how to administer/how much I add to the water in the separate container?

I hate doing this to him, but that worm is in my mind no doubt dead. If it starts rotting, I dont want it to kill my fish.

Perhaps a college campus where they sell biology/medical supplies to students? Otherwise look online if all else fails. Google is your best friend.

I have gotten Finquel from DFS or on Ebay. I have a bunch here--I'll never use all of it. I could send you some.

Good luck! I really hope this story has a happy ending.

Pufferpunk wrote:I have gotten Finquel from DFS or on Ebay. I have a bunch here--I'll never use all of it. I could send you some.

Really? Thank you that would be so awesome! I'll PM you my mailing address.

I'm searching online for a steril surgical scalpel. Found some, it's just the whole waiting for it in the mail thing while my puffer is unhappy I suppose. But hopefully it'll come in asap. In the meantime, I'll keep an eye on my puffer-water changes and whatnot.

Thank you again to everyone whose been here to help through all of this. It means a lot. I hope it does have a happy ending.

You should really do a search about surgical procedures on a fish & see what you need to add to the water, etc. to prevent infection.