The Puffer Forum

Hi All,

I was hoping someone would be able to help me with my Mbu puffer as he doesn't seem to be very well. He is about 2 years old and I inherited him about 6 months ago from someone selling there tank.

He is in an aqualife tank 400L with an Rena XP3 filter and 2 heaters.

Other fish are Clown loaches serveral types of small tetra's neon's etc a plec and a few fish i dont know what they are.

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 25ish
PH 7

He is sitting on the bottom of that tank not wanting to eat at all. His pattern went very dark and i thought it may be Internal Bacteria causing the issue and have been treating with Myxain (not sure of spelling). He seems to have purked up a little and i am half way through a 5 day course. His darkness has gone and he has gone very grey instead and seems to be developting white spots on him coming what looks like out of his skin. Now it doesn't look like Ich at all but looks like cotton wool but I just cant tell if its fungus or not.

Any help would be great!

Thanks in advance

Giro

I forgot to add he is about 6" long and hasnt has eaten only half a mussel in the last 5 days so i would bve really greatful if this could be identified ASAP

Thanks again.

I've never used Myxazin on a puffer I consider it to be a bit of a harsh chemical to use on them. Some Pimafix to combat the fungus and Melafix to aid the healing of the skin might help, plus less harsh than the Myxazin. If you do think it's IP's and you are in the UK then Wormer Plus is good stuff.

As for trying to get some food down him you could try coaxing him by attaching a piece of food to a chopstick skewer or fine thread and bop him on the head with it make it seem a little more alive and see if he takes a bite.

Also more water changes to try and get those nitrates down a bit more may also help.

Thanks for the info.

Are you saying it is fungus or just a maybe?

thanks

At 2 years old, he should be much larger than 6". What size tank did he come from? His colors don't look bad to me. There are some great feeding articles in our Library.

I believe that discoloration is common. Manutis would know better than me though. I think Water Changes and Melafix/Pimafix will help a lot.

giroevolver wrote:Thanks for the info.

Are you saying it is fungus or just a maybe?

thanks

I cant tell from the picture, however melafix and pimafix aids in skin infections and healing so it should help.

I found that my Mbu Clooney would get these white pimples from time to time and I sawe this asa reflection on the water quality, I would perform a 30% water change every 3rd day and they would go. I have to say that from bitter and sad experince that size tank is not a suitable long term home for an Mbu. Have a read of my article for plenty of Info.

The colour changes don't sound too bad, is he gasping at all? If so then maybe oxygen levelks are low, something I too experienced, to rectify it lower the temperature 24-26C is ideal and increas the water ripples at the surface by pointing filter outlets up or installing a spray bar. Hope that helps, any more question then please ask away. Good luck

SO glad you took my advice and joined up here Giroevolver! It's the best place for advice on your mbu imho

Good luck and I hope you get the help you need

Hi Everyone and thanks for the advice.

Unfortunatly he is panting and i have already got a spraybar. I have moved the filter outlet upwards to make more ripples on the water to try and help though. His discolouration issue seems to have gone but he still has white spots on him that seem to be going but it does look like fungus now. Some it has come loose and it looks like cotton wool so it must be that. I have been using melafix and pimafix to try and combat it but he still does not seem to be bothered about eating his mussles.

Is there any food that they just cant resist? and what is the view on garden snails as i like the idea of the other fish probably not wanting to eat them like Yoda would?

thanks again for all the help!

Giro

jennybugs wrote:SO glad you took my advice and joined up here Giroevolver! It's the best place for advice on your mbu imho

Good luck and I hope you get the help you need

Thanks Jennybugs everyone is being really helpful so I'm glad you pointed me in the right direction!

No problemmo matey

Have you tried soaking the puffer's food in garlic juice before giving it to him? I have heard this makes food really tasty and I've used it on a betta that lost its appetite once.

I'd try out the melafix/pimafix combo too...good suggestion

If a fish isn't feeling well, it won't eat. Please tell us the tank size, puffer size & water change schedule (sorry if this was already posted).

Pufferpunk wrote:If a fish isn't feeling well, it won't eat. Please tell us the tank size, puffer size & water change schedule (sorry if this was already posted).

He is in an aqualife tank 400L with an Rena XP3 filter and 2 heaters. He is 6" long and I change about 25% every 10 days

thanks

Giro