The Puffer Forum

Hi
We have a young 4" mbu in a large tank with external filtration and for the last few days the puffer has dug himself into the substrate until just his eyes are visible. He doesn't have any appetite and his eyes have gone all cloudy.
We have taken the water to our LFS for them to check all the parameters and they all seem to be fine, so am at a loss what to do. The LFS said it may be a bacterial infection but I want to check with you guys before I start dosing him with anything.
Please help!

Firstly welcome and don't panic.
Burying in sand is very normal for puffers especially younger ones.
Have you got the actual readings from the LFS?
First tip is to buy a decent water test kit.
Can you give us any more info - like how long have you had him, what are you feeding, how long and how did you cycle the tank.Are there any other fish in the tank.How big is the tank?

Hi Rocker,
we have had him approximately a week now. the ammonia is zero,
No3 very close to zero, NO2 is zero, GH is 10, KH is 5, PH is 7.2.
they said this is a good reading. We cycled the tank for about 12 months
using other fish, the tank being 4 ft. We have fed him cockles in shell and a few without shells for the first few days he had a great appetite but noe ignores the food and buries himself. His eyes are cloudy which they were not when we bought him. Don't know what else to put. Any help gratefully received

Try adding Melafix for his eyes.

I've just recently used melafix for cloudy eyes with great sucess. Try it as PP suggests.

Have you tested the water since you put him in the tank?
Have you got a test kit of your own? If not, that's a mega priority for you. Have you removed any uneaten food from the tank?
Pami.

Hi
We got the LFS to check the water before we put puff in the tank. I have got a test kit and have checked the water today. All OK as before. I remove all the food after 5-10 mins so that it doesn't foul the water.
My LFS has told me to use Myxazin but if Melafix is better I'll get some of that. Does Myxazin do the same as melafix?
Thanks

Not sure on myxazin-somebody who's knows it will inform you better. I would go with melafix first - completly safe for puffers and treats a wide range of illnesses.Always a good thing to have handy.

I'd try the Melafix.

What is the main ingredient in Myxazin?

Its always better to stick to more 'natural' remedies. Mealfix and another product called Pimafix are natural (ish) and puffer safe!!