The Puffer Forum

Is there any cure for FW Velvet besides copper which has so many risks/reasons not to use (chelated doesn't work/adheres to tank and decor/dangerous to Puffers more than the actual disease)?
Could raising the temp, adding aquarium salt, Pimafix, Melafix, & an airstone be the best "cure"? I've done a lot of research on the internet and have read up on it. Marine Velvet seems is treated with Cooper and kills fast. Basically, from my research it sounds like a death sentence. Thanks for any insight.

I have heard that flubendazole and quinine together makes a powerful remedy for velvet which is still much safer than copper.

Salt changes does not usually affect Velvet, as it is found in all salinities and very hardy, therefore that I wouldn't think would work at all. :/

Thanks for replying.

I called an aquatic vet to try to get my hands on something, I can't get anything at the store. I hope he calls me back.

Yay, I talked to the vet, I have an apt at 2:40

I dealt with marine velvet and we lost our porcupine puffer due to it but we treated our other fish in the tank with chloroquine diphosphate, it seemed to work. Let us know how u make out!

I went to the vet and he took a skin sample-it turns out it's not velvet just bacteria. He also did tests on a white spot he has on the side. It's just a scar. He really did look worse last night and before that, today he looked better. I think it's b/c I added some other treatments to his water that worked.

Sab, sorry you lost your Puffer

Im glad your puffer is fine. Post some pics when u can. I'm still trying to get mine to pose, LOL!

Wow, you found a fish vet? Cool! What did he charge you for that?

Ummm, lets say he is one expensive fish. Just the exam was $70 and then more for tests and meds so it came out to $120. He gave me levamisole phosphate to deworm my GSP. I don't regret it because I can watch my GSP pass worms........YUMMY! I was with the vet for at least an hour, he was really into it. I don't think he gets many aquatic clients. The office staff was really checking my Puffer out.
I'm taking photos of the procedure to post. I think it's similar to levamisole hydrocholride, it works by paralyzing the worms.

Probably safer than the hydrochloride. My puffers did not react well to it.

What about the skin problem?

He said that I need to get my water hardness down with reverse osmosis water. He also said the large water changes 50% could be irritating to him and that irritation results in bacteria, adding decholorinator to water can result in ammonia. He also said feeding snails introduces parasites so I will probably cut back on that, I can feed my brackish FW water snails because the salt kills the parasites. He said they can chomp on dead rock or coral but not too much because that adjusts the hardness. Although, I do think the bacteria is a secondary infection from the Ich which is now gone. If it continues I'm going to treat it with an antibiotic.