The Puffer Forum

My t.turgidus has developed some white stringy things on his body. They are flat on his skin and look like a bunch of fibres. I dont know if its a fungus or a parasite, but it seems to have moved. He's got a patch above his eye and has a new one by his tail. His behaviour is normal but he seems to have gone a little timid. Water parameters are good, ammonia and nitrite nil, nitrate 20ppm. He has no tank mates and lives in a 20 gallon tank. Has anyone come across this? Can anyone help me??!?

whats are u using as a substrate?

sand

Any way you can get a picture, louise?

Im using gravel as substrate. I got some pics, theyre not very good but they may help. It sort of looks like its growing/living around his spots but not on them!?!
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Do you see any mucous trailing from the pores? Any bumps?

How long ago did you first notice these spots, and how have they changed?

I would start by adding 1tbsp salt per 5 gallons and observe closely for change in the next day or two.

Is the base of his fin red? I'd also add Melafix to his tank.

In the second photo I see a bit of redness surrounding the gill - is that right?

Ive just had a look at his fins/gills and i think they look fine. They dont look red like on the photo. It may be because the pic is blurred or something. Ive added salt to his water change today, but something ive noticed is that the white patches seem to move, not as youre looking, but over a period of time. Im thinking this is some sort of parasite. I cant see mucous on him but the white stuff is raised off his skin. I feel like i want to take him out of the tank and pull it off him, but i guess that wouldnt be a good idea.

They're definately ON his skin and not UNDER it?
Just trying to make sure they're not nematodes.
Pami.

Ive just had another look at him and i would say theyre on the surface of his skin although i couldnt be definate. Would i be ok using a parasite tretment on him, or wouldnt they be suitable for puffers? Im still learning!!

I would start out trying Melafix 1st. How much salt did you add?

It does not sound or look like any parasite I know.

You should try Melafix for a few days, but I would not hesitate to step in with a broad-spectrum antibiotic such as Furan-2 if conditions do not improve.

I used what bred said, a tblsp to every 5g. Would i be ok putting melafix in with the salt?

Oh yeah, it's fine.
Have you handled the puffer with bare hands recently? Or has he had a scrape of any kind?
Pami.

He takes food out of my hand but other than that i havent ever touched him. Dont know if he's scraped himself, his hidey hole is under the filter so he possibly could have on the bottom of it. Think im gonna try melafix for him, hope it works cos he's ace! Shall reply back in a few days and let you know how he is. Thankyou for all your advice! X