The Puffer Forum

ive had this atlantic sharp nose puffer for about 4 years now. always been healthy and a great eater. in fact, like most puffers, he will eat anything. just recently i discovered that he was acting strange. when he "sleeps" he partialy inflates and pushes himself into a corner of the tank. well the other day, during daylight, he was still in the corner. this is extremly unusual for him. the next day i found him at the bottom of the tank next to the over flow (i have a 75 gallon with a built in overflow). at first i thought this was in inflation/deflation problem but now im not so sure. all my levels check out so its not a matter of water chemisty. the tank has been setup for 5 years now. I don't not add any additives to this tank; it doesn't need it. Its just a FOWLR. Water was changed yesterday.

i should mention that i am a marine biologist and at work we grow algea. i brought some ulva home to feed them (awsome stuff if you have tangs!) and this started a few days after. i highly doubt it is some kind of parasite and im wondering if it is a digestive problem. there are no external abnormalities except that after further inspection i noticed that his gut looked extremely full which makes me think its a digestive problem.

im also unsure of pufferfish reproduction cycles. could this be a female full of eggs? i know that some animals can produce a clutch of unfertilized eggs and go through all the ovulation and other process associated with egg development.

any ideas on this?

sorry so long and thanks for any help

Lucas

tank inhabitants: Regal Blue Tang, Atlantic sharp nose, Red Hawkfish, Misbarred clownfish

Maybe he is unhappy with something or hes trying to stay hidden?

i should add that there is a loss of appetite and the animal is trying to swim like normal but seems to sink.

he is out in the open and not trying to hide at all

Well i have no idea then. Is his belly sucken in?

no the belly is swollen

A picture might help.

I doubt after 4 years, your puffer would start bearing eggs. Usually when a fish is having digestion/swimbladder issues we tell them to feed their puffer greens. I find it quite odd that greens would acctually cause this issue. I don't think it's just a coincidence that the same time you started feeding greens to your puffer (is the 1st time he's eaten these?), that these issues started. I can only deduce that there has to be something in the greens that is clogging him up (again, greens would be the usually solution for constipation). I suggest adding a tbsp of epsom salt/5g to his tank for constipation. No worries--it will just raise the magnesium slightly. I add an entire lg box of epsom salts to my tank to do just that for my 90g reef.

not the first time ive fed greens. ive put ulva in many times. i will try and add the epsom salt to the tank. what is the purpose of raising magnesium?

also just noticed some lesions on him just now when checking on him.

Is the swelling symmetrical or asymmetrical?
Four possiblities for swelling:

- I would not exclude the puffer is carrying eggs.
- Assymetrical swellings can be related to nematode infections, I've seen puffers (among them Canthigaster sp.) full of nematodes even after years in captivity. It's the last stage of some parasites' lifecycle basically taking over the host, multiplying and finally setting their gametes free.
- An internal bacterial infection
- Constipation (did you observe any feces lately?)

Hard to diagnose between the four, I fear, but maybe a picture helps or you can exclude the last one by seeing digestion products.

The purpose of adding epsom salts is not to raise mg, just a harmless side effect.

this is the best picture i could get of him. he was at the back of the tank and wouldn't cooperate with me. the swelling is to one side now. how do i go about treating for this if it is a parasite? i have gotten out of the hobby a bit as of late and no longer have a QT set up.

I believe in a severe and potentially deadly nematode infection from the picture and description. Also see http://www.wetwebmedia.com/roundwor.htm for a general overview on the group.

Treatments will rely on where you are located, what you can get in terms of meds and what you are willing to do in terms of investment into a fish that might die (e.g. a Vet or setting up a hospital tank). Most better wormers should kill nematodes and if so will have "for nematodes" somewhere on their description, avoid "natural stuff" claiming it can be used in reef tanks with invertebrates at this stage.

Some meds can be applied as daily 1-3 hour aerated baths with raised concentrations when you do not have a hospital tank.

Praziquantel containing meds (e.g. Droncit) are an option, see library/hospital/internal-parasites-pre ... treatment/

Even more effective against nematodes may be Fenbendazole containing meds (mostly from a vet).

I do not know if Sera med Professional Nematol is available where you are.

I do wish you luck.

The problem I have found is after you kill the worm (which are usually under the skin), they must be surgically removed or the dead worm will rot under there, killing the fish eventually anyway.

well thanks for all the help. i plan on setting up a hospital tank today. hopefully i have everything lying around. im also going to check out the fish store and see what they offer in terms of dewormers. i really hope he pulls through after treatment. im going to do some concentrated baths and treat the hopital tank. so wish me luck!!