The Puffer Forum

My red eye puffer Boma hasn't been looking good for about three days now. He looks like he's partially stuck inflated with air (a spot on his belly right before his vent looks especially inflated), his gill movement is really labored, his color has lightened dramatically, and he doesn't move from the bottom corners of the aquarium. Nothing has dramatically changed lately in terms of tank conditions this week; he acted fine and was eating and then overnight he was like this. I don't see any external problems like fungus or parasites, but his gills look funny.

Water parameters are- PH 8.0, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 5. Water temperature is very high because there's no air conditioning, stays about 84-86 degrees. I probably need to invest in a chiller.

He's the only tank inhabitant in a 20 gallon tank, he's been living in it for 3 years.

I feed him mainly krill, with mussels, squid and/or crab meat. He eats every few days depending on how hungry he acts. 30% weekly water change, tap water with no additives except dechlorinatior/chloramine remover. Last water change was about 5 days ago.

What could be wrong with him? Sorry for the huge pics, I don't know how to edit photos.

I wonder if it's related to the decreased dissolved oxygen concentration in the water due to the heat. Does anyone else think so? Maybe try putting in an airstone to see if it improves.... I hope Boma feels better soon.

Might be temperature related... have you tried a large water change?

yea i would second it could be possible that the temp has decreased oxygen, either an airstone or lower the water level so the filter makes some air (if you donthave an extra air pump)

He looks bloated. Has he pooed lately?

recombinantrider wrote:I wonder if it's related to the decreased dissolved oxygen concentration in the water due to the heat. Does anyone else think so? Maybe try putting in an airstone to see if it improves.... I hope Boma feels better soon.

I agree. Try adding an air stone. It could be a lack of dissolved oxygen.

Pufferpunk wrote:He looks bloated. Has he pooed lately?

Honestly I have never seen him poop once in the three years I've had him; he's very private with those matters haha. How do you treat for possible constipation?

I'm going to try increasing oxygen levels and see what happens. It was about two days after the last water change that he started looking ill and had I increased the water level somewhat, so less surface agitation. It would make sense it could be lack of oxygen. He's still hanging in there, but if things don't improve I'm going to try and move him into a cooled room.

I'd add 1 tbsp Epson salt/10g for the bloating.

One way I manage to keep my tanks cool in the summer is I keep frozen water bottles in my tank. =]

hmmm, that seems controversial but at the same time like it might work. i have s feeling there will be more posts responding to that.

I don't see it being controversial--it works but you have to keep up with it.

really it doesnt shock the fish at all? i would think the ice could shock them if they got near it but idk i guess water does have a very high specific heat

If the flow in the tank is good, the cold should dissipate through the tank well. A permanent solution should be found though, even if this means a fan across the top of the water or window air conditioner for the room the tank is in.

yea luckily my house stay right at 80 during the summer so the hottest my tanks might get is like 82 . (although i am watching my gsp tank cus i just added the PC lighting so im not sure what thats gonna do to the temp.)

I don't think that lighting will affect your temp.