The Puffer Forum

Hello,

I woke up this morning to find my congo puffer's right fin looks like it is ripped in half. He currently lives in a 30 gallon that I change 50% of the water once a week in fact I changed the water just yesterday. I did use a little Amquel about a capful. The tank has been set up for over 2 months and he hasn't had any issues at all. I'm hoping someone can help me diagnose his ripped up right fin.

Thank you!

Does he have any tank-mates?

No a couple of ghost shrimp that are used to feed him but it does kind of look like the fin has been nipped. It is so weird I'm not sure how that could have happened. Do you think it could have burned it on the heater in the water?

What are your water parameters?

Is there anything sharp in the tank like slate? I learned a while back that fish can mess themselves up pretty badly on slate.

PH is about 7.5-7.7
Temp is around 78 - 80 F
and Tank size is 30 gallons

I was thinking it might be from the slate I have in there I guess I will take it out than. Do you recommend anything in the tank aside from just my puffer and sand?

Thanks again guys

You'll want to get lots of decor to keep the puffer interested, but make sure you only get soft things, like silk & live plants. It's what I had to do for all my betta after one of my boys ripped his fin on a stupid decoration.

I do not recommend slate as puffers are delicate and they can impale themselves on it. It is very likely that that is what occurred. I just got some pagoda stone, which is much rounder and quite decorative for my Fahaka tank.

I use river rocks from... down by the river

they are round and flat. perfect

hope the fin heals quick.

Of course they are jase. When i move to colorado i will be able to get and get river rocks myself!!

Why are you using Amquell? Use Prime instead. Stop using the Amquel. It is preventing your tank from cycling properly.

I like the rocks in CO too. not as many colors as up here, but still very cool geology there.