The Puffer Forum

1) ph 8.0 - ammonia 0 - nitrite 0 - nitrate 0-5 - SG 1.005 -- temp 78

2) 29 gal bowfront heavily planted - single figure 8 (3") -

3) 35% water changes every week (sometimes everyother) , feed mainly snails, prawn, blood worms, cockle, krill (only occasionally) - plant ferts - iron, flourish, excel (all dosed as instructed)

4) no changes

5) 1.5 years

Ok, so this might not be an "urgent" hospital article, but i have reason to believe my figure 8 has internal parasites -- he has always had a rounded belly (flat when i got him i guess, but that changed quickly) --- but for the last week or so, his belly has become slightly concave between feedings --- mainly in one spot, (closer to his mouth than his rear end if that makes sense) -- it looks like a slight hollowing out -- i feed him and it goes back to rounded, and stays that way for 18 hours or so ---

am i not feeding him enough ? or is it possible that IPs are taking hold now - if so, ,why the lag ? he has been healthy for almost 2 years! --

i feed him once a day -- three common pond snails (about the size of his eye) - or about the equivalent amount of shrimp, blood worms, etc -- Could it be that i am not feeding him enough and he is still growing? , or should i treat for IP's? (p.s i would love to avoid having to treat him

Also, to throw a wrench in the whole thing, i am leaving for xmas vacay soon and will be out of town for 7 days -- will this fasting period let the IP's take an even stronger hold?

Thanks for the help

It could be that he had IPs and they are just starting to affect him now. Also where are you getting your snails? I'm assuming you raise them yourself. I'd treat him for IPs, I guess you could feed him a bit more.

Hmmm, that seems a bit long for IP's to be "dormant" as far as I understand it IP are pretty aggressive and fast acting. It is possible that the snails have brought an infection in but if they are riased by you then its less likely. Treating for IP is a good idea but maybe its just that the puffer is bigger and needs a bit more food. Also I assume you haven't added any new fish?

thanks for the reply guys ---

yes, i do raise the snails myself -- ive had the snail tank up and running for a little over a year -- i try to keep up water changes in the snail tank, but dont keep the water as pristine as i should (could this be a problem)? I figure it is ok, cause they keep breeding like crazy

and yes, i have not added any new fish -- i did feed a ghost shrimp about 3 weeks ago, but it had been quarantined for months and months in a spare tank

for about a week, i have started feeding him more than normal, but it still goes flat (sometimes concave after 1 day) --

i have not seen any stringy poop, but i also dont see him poo a lot (maybe a sign of underfeeding too?)

if i need to treat him, i will - the problem is though, i cant start treatment until after vacation (i leave sat and will be gone for a week) --- can anyone suggest a medicine to order while i am away - or do you think its best to wait till i get back and assess the situation then ???

thanks again for everyones help -- this site is invaluable

Its a tough one that but I think I would rather be around to assess any reaction to the meds so maybe hold off till you get back. I think it could be that you need to up the feeding routine. Do you feed mussels at all or prawns? Maybe he needs something a bit more meaty every know and then?

good call -- i think i will wait to treat -- (plus i dont have any meds at hand now anyway and prob couldnt get it in time anyway) -- can anyone suggest a medicine that i can order online - incase i get back to find a hollowed out fish ??? (i am in the in US - and in the chicago area incase anyone knows an LFS that stocks de-wormer)

i do feed prawn pretty regurally and cockle (which im assuming has the same benefit as mussels) less frequently -- but had been feeding lots of snails recently because he is starting to look long in the teeth -- (in my avatar you can see them peeking out)

I think its always woth treating for IP's if you suspect them. Hope you get the results you want

thanks manutius --- what have you had success treating IPs with -- i finally found the library article on it and the sticky but it sounds hard to get some of those meds

I've never had to treat IP's thankfully, sorry

If his belly is concave at any time, I'd suspect IP's and treat him, personally.
When I got my Figure 8's, they had IP's and I treated them with "Gel Tek Ultra Cure PX" and Garlic Guard soaked bloodworms and plankton, for about a week, and had great success.

I have since left them without food for 10 days while on vacation, and when I came back they still did not have concave bellies, or look emaciated.

thanks everyone --- i have ordered some gel tek -- and plan to try a pumpkin seed treatment while i wait for it to ship ---

fingers crossed

Sounds like a good idea