The Puffer Forum

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?

I need some background information..... water quality and so on!! (sorry if I've missed another post before this one!)

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....

what puffer is it??
Are you using RO water? Do you know what your KH is? Alkalinity?

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?

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??

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.

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?

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?

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?)

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.

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.

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.

Please clarify.....

Are you saying that I need a freshwater test kit to get an accurate pH reading in a brackish water aquarium?

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.

Sorry I'm not sure but is this a FW puffer? What is the pH of your tap water?