The Puffer Forum

Hi guys,

I wrote on this forum last week about my poorly topaz puffer. Just to re-iterate, there was no ammonia, nitrate or nitrite present but the salinity was a little low. I have raised this very slighty in the last week and treated him with ESHA Exit and ESHA 2000 as advised by my LFS. He started to become more active however he hasnt eaten since wednesday. I came home tonight and the poor guy looks almost jet black and his brething has increased. I am at a total loss as to what to do - and I have a horrible feeling that he is at death's door. Just 10 days ago he was zipping around and ripping everything to shreads. Please help me............

the simple fact that there is apparently no nitrate is a clear sign that either the test kit you're using is faulty, or the LFS is not correctly reading the test/not correctly performing the tests (ie not shaking the chemicals long enough before testing) or misguiding you...

there will always be a nitrate reading, unless you have some very complicated veggie filtration system that will remove them...

Do an immediate 50% water change, it can do not harm and may keep your puffer alive..

have you checked all the equipment, is your heater working?

Like it was said, no nitrate is highly suspicious, was your tank cycled and if so, how? If you answer all of the questions in red it will help us help you.

I have done a 50% water change over the last day - but he looks worse. I am praying that he makes it through the night and then taking him to the LFS tomorrow morning, hopefully they can sort him out. I am totally gutted - I am certain he will die.

eSha 2000
6.3 mg ethacridine lactate (Rivanol)
1 mg proflavin
3.2 mg copper 2+
0.26 mg methyl orange

Big water change and no more of this med, potentially this is a bad reaction to copper.

I never believe what the LFS say. Most LFs doesnt know much about Puffer care. You'll have much better chance finding the answer here then anyway this is by my exepreince here with the forum. Tigarbee and Mareva is right. You must have soem trace of Nitrate in your tank or else is just water/tap water another words not a cycled tank.

I would guess they use API tests, and don't EVER shake nitrate test bottle number 2. One of the ingredients is in suspension, and settles to the bottom. Unless you shake the crap out of it for like a minute right before use, the test gives a low reading, if you don't shake it at all, it gives a "0" or really close to 0 reading every time. Then, near the end of the bottle, when all the reactant is built up, it gives INSANELY high readings all the time, even if the water is fine.

eeeeeeeeeek..i didnt know that. I use API master test kit and i do shake the living crap out of it before adding 10 drops to the tube after i shake the test tube with bottle one liqiud inside. Hell i memorize all the drops needed and procedure after doing the test so much.

good advice on the API. I shake it, but will remember to do a better job.

I give them all a little jostle, but bottle number two on nitrates needs a real workout.

I'm sorry your puffer isn't well. IMO, the best thing you can do for him right now, is water changes. Be sure to match the temp & dechlorinate the water. Add fresh carbon to your filter & add an airstone.

I wondered about all those meds...

copper could definitely be causing/ adding to the problems couldn't it!

Hey ! Just thought I'd let you know....

My puffer was jet black and spots faded away, and stopped moving for a few days, he just sat at the bottom, didn't even eat.... and I was sure he was gunna die - and he's totally fine now after giving him daily water changes of 25%, adding NO MORE meds except Melafix, and of course giving him time to "heal" (about a week)
We also changed which food we were giving him because he wasn't eating. (I think HE thought it was the food that made him sick?? and that's why he wasn't eating it )

So try no more meds, let him get better maybe try Melafix... it seemed to give my puff some energy at least...
And maybe try a different food?

I thought he was going to die, actually I "knew" he was going to die.... and he's perfectly fine now

Just thought I'd give you some hope that puffers CAN get better

I agree, my first puffer went through the same thing + got cloudy eye as well... was convinced i'd lose him..

but as you said, daily water changes and raising the salt (in my case) and he's great.. a year on he is a big fat puffer and i now own 3 other puffers.... !