Someone, anyone, please help. I'm about at my wits end.
He won't eat. He's not even interesed in snails anymore.
He's gasping. Constantly, mouth open, gasping. Has been for some time, now. His color was good, he was eating. I didn't think much of it. Now......he won't eat.
I've "dipped" him in Prazi-Pro the past two days. What is wrong with this fish?
Okay, Now I'm REALLY worried....
Forum rules
Read this before posting!!
Since this board has been up, we have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help right away (if we can!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.
1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.
2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.
3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)
4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.
5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.
We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.
While you wait for assistance:
One of the easiest and best ways to help your fish feel better is clean water! If you are already on a regular water change schedule (50% weekly is recommended) a good step to making your fish more comfortable while waiting for diagnosis/suggestions is to do a large water change immediately. Feel free to repeat daily or as often as you can, clean water is always a good thing! Use of Amquel or Prime as a dechlor may help with any ammonia or nitrite issues, and is highly recommended.
Note - if you do not normally do large water changes, doing a sudden, large water change could shock your fish by suddenly changing their established water chemistry. Clean water is still your first goal, so in this case, do several smaller (10%) water changes over the next day or two before starting any large ones.
Read this before posting!!
Since this board has been up, we have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help right away (if we can!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.
1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.
2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.
3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)
4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.
5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.
We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.
While you wait for assistance:
One of the easiest and best ways to help your fish feel better is clean water! If you are already on a regular water change schedule (50% weekly is recommended) a good step to making your fish more comfortable while waiting for diagnosis/suggestions is to do a large water change immediately. Feel free to repeat daily or as often as you can, clean water is always a good thing! Use of Amquel or Prime as a dechlor may help with any ammonia or nitrite issues, and is highly recommended.
Note - if you do not normally do large water changes, doing a sudden, large water change could shock your fish by suddenly changing their established water chemistry. Clean water is still your first goal, so in this case, do several smaller (10%) water changes over the next day or two before starting any large ones.
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PufferPuck30
- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:34 pm
Okay, Now I'm REALLY worried....
One Tough Fish...
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xxSarahxx
- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:57 pm
- My Puffers: Blinky Bu
Dwarf Puffers
Figure Eight Puffers
Also care for congo puffers, south american puffers, fugu puffers and many more!! - Location: Woking area! UK
Re: Okay, Now I'm REALLY worried....
I need some background information..... water quality and so on!! (sorry if I've missed another post before this one!)
I love my Blinky Bu!!!!
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PufferPuck30
- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:34 pm
Re: Okay, Now I'm REALLY worried....
Thank you for your response....
I'm testing the water as we speak.....
WHY does the pH keep dropping? I just tested it at 7.5. I've crushed up some coral, added a pH buffer from Seachem.....I can't seem to keep the pH stable....
More info on the way....
I'm testing the water as we speak.....
WHY does the pH keep dropping? I just tested it at 7.5. I've crushed up some coral, added a pH buffer from Seachem.....I can't seem to keep the pH stable....
More info on the way....
One Tough Fish...
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xxSarahxx
- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:57 pm
- My Puffers: Blinky Bu
Dwarf Puffers
Figure Eight Puffers
Also care for congo puffers, south american puffers, fugu puffers and many more!! - Location: Woking area! UK
Re: Okay, Now I'm REALLY worried....
what puffer is it??
Are you using RO water? Do you know what your KH is? Alkalinity?
Are you using RO water? Do you know what your KH is? Alkalinity?
I love my Blinky Bu!!!!
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PufferPuck30
- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:34 pm
Re: Okay, Now I'm REALLY worried....
Green Spotted Puffer.....2.25" in length. 20 gal tank
Water Temp - ~80F
Ammonia - 0ppm
Nitrites - 0ppm
Nitrates - ~30ppm
SG - ~1.005 - 1.006
Large scale water change on Saturday, 12/22. 50% Water change.
Tank-mates - 9 small and 3 largish ghost shrimp, one red-clawed crab.
Is the crab the problem?
Water Temp - ~80F
Ammonia - 0ppm
Nitrites - 0ppm
Nitrates - ~30ppm
SG - ~1.005 - 1.006
Large scale water change on Saturday, 12/22. 50% Water change.
Tank-mates - 9 small and 3 largish ghost shrimp, one red-clawed crab.
Is the crab the problem?
One Tough Fish...
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xxSarahxx
- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:57 pm
- My Puffers: Blinky Bu
Dwarf Puffers
Figure Eight Puffers
Also care for congo puffers, south american puffers, fugu puffers and many more!! - Location: Woking area! UK
Re: Okay, Now I'm REALLY worried....
i really don't think the crab will be the problem.
is he up at the surface? hiding in a corner? how long has he been like this for??
is he up at the surface? hiding in a corner? how long has he been like this for??
I love my Blinky Bu!!!!
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PufferPuck30
- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:34 pm
Re: Okay, Now I'm REALLY worried....
He's at the bottom of the tank.....lurking.....
His color is all mottled. He's currently lying on the bottom, near the back of the tank. He moves from place to place, but he's staying "low".
He just had a "coughing" fit. Still gasping. He's alert, but is staying mostly undercover.
His color is all mottled. He's currently lying on the bottom, near the back of the tank. He moves from place to place, but he's staying "low".
He just had a "coughing" fit. Still gasping. He's alert, but is staying mostly undercover.
One Tough Fish...
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PufferPuck30
- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:34 pm
Re: Okay, Now I'm REALLY worried....
The high range pH is WAAAAAAY too low.
I don't know why it keeps dropping. I've had this issue before. Could the low pH be the problem?
I don't know why it keeps dropping. I've had this issue before. Could the low pH be the problem?
One Tough Fish...
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PufferPuck30
- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:34 pm
Re: Okay, Now I'm REALLY worried....
Here's a question....
When I had that mini cycle about a month ago, Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates were all extremely high, relatively speaking. He hasn't been the same fish since then. That's when the "gasping" and alternating closed off gills began. Could it have burned his gills?
And if so, should I be treating with Melafix/Pimafix?
When I had that mini cycle about a month ago, Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates were all extremely high, relatively speaking. He hasn't been the same fish since then. That's when the "gasping" and alternating closed off gills began. Could it have burned his gills?
And if so, should I be treating with Melafix/Pimafix?
One Tough Fish...
Re: Okay, Now I'm REALLY worried....
For the pH, you should really be worried about keeping it stable. Having it go up and down is harmful, but having it stay slightly lower than "recommended" is ok. Our water out of the tap here is around 7, and our puffs do ok.
Yes, the ammonia and nitrite could have burned the gills.
What are you using to test the water with? (Test strips or liquid tests?)
Yes, the ammonia and nitrite could have burned the gills.
What are you using to test the water with? (Test strips or liquid tests?)
Now, bring me that horizon...
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PufferPuck30
- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:34 pm
Re: Okay, Now I'm REALLY worried....
I'm using API Saltwater Master Test Kit.
Since crushing up some coral, and adding the pH buffer from Seachem, he's moving about in the open a bit more. Seems as though he's not gasping as heavily, either.
I'm off to pick up some aquarium salt, some Melafix and some Pimafix. I'll be back shortly....
If anyone else has any advice, please post it. I've no clue what's going on with this poor fish.
Since crushing up some coral, and adding the pH buffer from Seachem, he's moving about in the open a bit more. Seems as though he's not gasping as heavily, either.
I'm off to pick up some aquarium salt, some Melafix and some Pimafix. I'll be back shortly....
If anyone else has any advice, please post it. I've no clue what's going on with this poor fish.
One Tough Fish...
Re: Okay, Now I'm REALLY worried....
my gsp has been living in pure freshwater for about 3 months now no problems. What kind of rocks, wood, plants..etc do you have in your aquarium. Also im not trying to make you sound dumb but does your kit come with a freshwater dropper for ph. Because if you are using that it will show low ph on your saltwater scale. Just a thought.
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PufferPuck30
- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:34 pm
Re: Okay, Now I'm REALLY worried....
Please clarify.....puff_love wrote:my gsp has been living in pure freshwater for about 3 months now no problems. What kind of rocks, wood, plants..etc do you have in your aquarium. Also im not trying to make you sound dumb but does your kit come with a freshwater dropper for ph. Because if you are using that it will show low ph on your saltwater scale. Just a thought.
Are you saying that I need a freshwater test kit to get an accurate pH reading in a brackish water aquarium?
One Tough Fish...
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PufferPuck30
- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:34 pm
Re: Okay, Now I'm REALLY worried....
Thanks for all your help, everyone.
Things aren't looking very good, though. I don't think he's gonna make it. His color's awful. His skin is all pebbly and rough. He's emaciated. He's "shivering". He's slow and lethargic. I don't know what went wrong. He went downhill so quickly, and so dramatically.
I've got him in a very small QT tank, (2.5g), dosed with Pimafix, some aquarium salt and a bubble stone.
I'll leave him in there for a bit, then put him back in the 20gal. I'm not sure he'll make it through the night. All I can do is hope.
Wish me luck.
Merry Christmas, all. And thanks again for your help.
Things aren't looking very good, though. I don't think he's gonna make it. His color's awful. His skin is all pebbly and rough. He's emaciated. He's "shivering". He's slow and lethargic. I don't know what went wrong. He went downhill so quickly, and so dramatically.
I've got him in a very small QT tank, (2.5g), dosed with Pimafix, some aquarium salt and a bubble stone.
I'll leave him in there for a bit, then put him back in the 20gal. I'm not sure he'll make it through the night. All I can do is hope.
Wish me luck.
Merry Christmas, all. And thanks again for your help.
One Tough Fish...
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Pufferpunk
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Re: Okay, Now I'm REALLY worried....
Sorry I'm not sure but is this a FW puffer? What is the pH of your tap water?
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"