The Puffer Forum

Hi,
I had posted something last night in the brackish forum about our puffers...but I figured I'd put a post in the hospital forum, b/c tonight after coming home from work, I'm convinced we have a problem...
We have 2 f8's in a 29 gallon tank...had them in there for about 3 weeks or so. Been feeding good and varied diet of shell-on-shrimp, frozen krill, crab and clams. The tank has been up and running for ~3 months now...seems to be fully cycled. Current parameters: 0 NH3, 0 nitrite, ~5 nitrate, pH 8.2...haven't had any problems w/ ammonia/ nitrite in about 2 months now. Prior to have these two puffers, we had one f8, that we lost to IPs which we tried to treat too late. The salinity ~1.004-1.005 (been slowly stepping it up)...
Both f8s were SO healthly, great appetites, bright white FULL bellies...pooping nice and solid brown (no evidence of IPs)...their bellies stay nice and full long after eating.

So ~2 days ago, my fiance and I noticed that both f8s were only swimming w/ one pectoral fin...Last night, my fiance noticed one doing a little bit of flashing, and again, the other was really only using one pectoral fin, and only looked like he was using one gill at a time. I did a 40% water change last night, just to be safe (even though water tested fine)...they ate ok. Not as voraciously as normal, but they still ate. My fiance told me that during the day he noticed some flashing...when I got home from work, one of the f8s was breathing fine, using both pec fins, but still noticed a little flashing...the other f8 wasn't using either pectoral fin at times, and I also saw him flash a couple of times. SO DEFINITELY we have a probl
We have had a 55 freshwater tank up and running for ~5 years now...and we had an ich outbreak w/ a new fish we didn't quarantine properly about 2 years ago...and I don't "see" any ich spots like I did for that outbreak on our puffers... but I know it starts to show in the gills usually. I don't see any other signs of parasites on the gills themselves, like gill flukes or anything...nothing is visible on the gills except for that they are a little bit inflamed...little reddish.

We had had the temp at about 80 degrees F...so I have been increasing it tonight slowly...have it at about 82-83 right now. Also, I did another 40% water change, and was due for a salinity increase anyway, so I stepped up the salinity w/marine mix...probably will be somewhere around a solid 1.005-1.006 when I measure w/ the refrac. tommorrow AM.

Does anyone have any ideas?? Do you think it sounds like ich?? PLus, how would I best combat it in a brackish tank? I've only had experience treating in freshwater (w/ the temp raised to ~86 degrees and addition of 1-2 TBSP aquarium salt/gallon for ~2.5-3 weeks it worked like a charm). THat's why I instinctively raised the temp up tonight...and trying to get the salt up a little w/ out risking doing it too fast and ruining my bio-filtration.

Sorry for the LONG post...just really don't want to lose these guys...

Oh, and prior to these last two days of doing 40% water changes back to back...We are on a weekly water change schedule...40% changes. And we always use Prime to treat water before adding it back to tank...thanks!!

There's absolutely no way a parasite could have been introduced to that tank? Are they eating well?

They are eating well...One better than the other. But I think the other guy is just a little more picky, too. When I got up this AM, they're both extremely active, which is GREAT. I still have the temp at about 83 degrees...The one who I really see not using his pectoral fins is also the guy who loves to hang out near the current from the filter, which is pretty strong. WHen he's not by there, I'm noticing this morning, that he does pop both pectoral fins out and use them. Could it be that I'm just being totally PARANOID, and they're fine?!? I mean, I don't see any ich signs other than the flashing a bit like I said (haven't seen that again since last night), and also the gill issue. But no spots at all...

Would it be harmful to keep the temp up to ~83-84 degrees anyway for a period of time?? THey have plenty of oxygen...nice big bubble wall. I also plan to do another water change today...

Couldn't hurt... Just observe for now.

Thanks,
Yeah, they seem to be doing just fine today...haven't seen any flashing since Fri night...(not that it was constant flashing either)....and it seems from observing them that when they swim in front of the filter, that's when they really alternate use of their pectoral fins...really funny. We are SO sensitive in watching these guys every move since we lost the first f8 we had to IPs...I check the water every other day or so...and are always watching for signs of stress, etc.

So, I'm going to keep the temp up for a while...they have plenty of oxygen in the water. And just watch. ALso, my fiance and I did a great tank cleaning yesterday, pulling out plants, cleaning off algae, vacuuming, etc..and did another 40% water change...the salinity is ~1.006 right now, so I think that's in a great range for them. Thanks!!