The Puffer Forum

For the past couple years I've had two Modestus puffers in a 55 gallon tank. When they were very young they could be around each other, but for at least a year now I've had a divider in their tank. Never had any big problems and both puffers have always been happy and healthy with good appetites. A couple nights ago, however, Chamir got on to Bak Mei's side somehow and could not get back over. When I woke up, Chamir was laying on his side with Bak Mei swimming around next to him. Chamir is very badly beat up. His pectoral fins are chewed up pretty bad, and he's missing "skin" all around his caudal fin.

I setup a 10 gallon quarantine tank with gravel and filter media from their tank, and Chamir has been in there since yesterday morning. I've added freshwater salt, Prime, and Stress Coat to his water. He actually seems to like the Stress Coat - I pour some directly on him as he is generally resting by the surface.

By last night he was able to hold himself upright. Today, however, he is looking worse again and can not easily hold himself upright.

Is there anything else I can do for him to help him heal, encourage his will to live, or ease his suffering in any way? I will euthanize him with Clove Oil if he's just going to suffer, but I don't want to do that until I'm sure he won't make it.

Incidentally, I'm moving in 8 days and was going to give them both their own 55 gallon tanks ...

Thanks
Dan

Wow thats terrible!
I'd try Melafix and Pimafix and hope for the best. I hope they make it!

Thanks, good call on the melafix/pimafix - can't believe I haven't done that yet.

Luckily (!), only Chamir is hurt. Bak Mei does not have a single scratch on him. He is definitely the mean one.

I'm terribly sorry to hear that, and I hope he survives. Modestus' are great puffers.

I would just try to keep the water at the right temp and cycled. It sounds like you have enough chemicals in there between the Melafix, Pimafix, Salt, Prime, and Stress Coat.