The Puffer Forum

We have a 150 gallon that has been set up since August 2008. Our previous tank was about 50 gallons, cycled for at least 3 months, introduced critters and everyone seened fine. In August we moved everyone and the water from the 50 gallon into the 150 gallon. We didn't have the stars and stripes puffer and the yellow tang at the time. We currently have an undulated trigger (3"), a niger trigger (5"), a yellow tang (5"), a stars and stripes puffer (8"), a valentini puffer (3"), and a dog faced puffer (5"). Our newest fish in the tank is the yellow tang and stars and stripes puffer, which we got in November. So here's our parameters: ph 7.7, ammonia 0, nitrtite 0, salinity 1.016. We have a Tetratest Laborett test kit, sorry there's no nitrate test in it. We feed the fish twice a day, mostly frozen foods and algae for the tang. Water changes are 60 gallons every 3 weeks. No chemical additives in the tank other than salt. There have been no changes since November with the 2 newest fish. Here's our problem: early this morning we noticed a gray spot near the dog face puffers tail. Now it is much larger and he doesn't look good. His mouth is wide open and he's breathing heavy. I've attached a picture. I hate to see him suffer. Please let us know what to do.
Thank you

Did you qt any of the new fish? You really really need a nitrate test. Your tank is overstocked (as is mine) and your nitrates may be very high. I do 50% every week on my tank to keep my nitrates down. I have a Wrasse 3.5", GSP 3.5", snowflake eel 12", Blenny 3.5" and a Stars & Stripes puffer 10.5". If I don't do a 50% water change every week my nitrates will go up to 40. High nitrates are not good. If you didn't qt any new fish you may have brought a disease into your tank.

+1 on the QT & nitrate test. Especially Yellow tangs, who are known carriers of many diseases. Have you looked at the potential adult sizes of all these fish & the minimun recommended tank sizes for them? Way too many fish for that tank. Why is the SG so low? The pH is very low also. All causes for stress. Stress = low immune system = disease = death.

How's the puffer?