The Puffer Forum

Salinity ~ 1.007
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate ~ 10
80 degrees F

37g brackish tank
2 figure 8's, 1 knight goby

A couple of days ago my water randomly got cloudy. Fish seemed normal.
The next day, however, their behavior changed; everyone seemed lethargic, no begging faces. Archer fish began to show stress coloration. All fish breathing heavy.
Did a 30% PWC, tank didn't clear up as much as I expected.
The next day the archer looked even worse; dark grey coloration on his sides, heavy breathing. I began to start worrying at this point. I looked all around the tank, and found a piece of uneaten shrimp in a cave. I figured that the decaying shrimp had caused an ammonia spike and making the fish ill. Ammonia tested ~ 0.25-1.5. I removed the shrimp and did another 30% PWC, as well as replaced the filter floss in the filters.
Found the archer fish dead later that night and removed him.
After a day I tested the water, and now all the parameters are as posted above, fine.

However the water is still slightly cloudy, and the fish are acting lethargic and breathing heavy. Their gills seem almost inflamed, but that may just be in my mind as I've never really paid much attention to their gills until now. I've found them laying on rocks and the substrate , or just floating near the top, which is all very atypical behavior for them. No begging for food. They both are clamping a fin occasionally, and I found one earlier sideways near the bottom, curled tail, and he seemed to have trouble righting himself. However when he saw me he began swimming completely normally.
Not sure of the goby's condition as she has been in hiding for a day or two.
I tried feeding them, and though they are interested in food they don't swallow it. One took a few pieces of krill, and actually began begging a bit. I thawed out some bloodworms and they ate them but spit most of them out, it seems like they were almost having trouble swallowing it.

I'm at a loss right now, I have no idea what's going on. I haven't changed anything, added anything, changed their diet, etc.
Anyone have any ideas?
Any input is appreciated,
Thanks.

I would add an air stone and do another WC but about 75%. Did something stir up the substrate and cause an anaerobic bacterial to be released? Could there be another dead fish or piece of shrimp in there that you are not able to see?

This may sound strange but test your ph. I noticed when I was first starting to do hypo my ph dropped and my water got cloudy within a few hours. I slowly raised the ph and the cloudy water cleared up. It took a couple of hours to get it back to normal and for the water to clear. Like you I had tested everything and it was all normal. Then I tested the ph and wow it had dropped to someing like 7.4. Now I make sure I test my water in the drum before I do my water change.

I think it could be a bacteria bloom.

Well, I think it's ammonia poisoning.
The decaying shrimp must have caused an ammonia spike, which caused the cloudy water, and during the several days of high ammonia levels the fish must have gotten ammonia poisoning. They are still lethargic and hanging around the surface, even the goby, which is very very unusual for her. The inflamed gills probably weren't just in my mind.
They seem to be getting a little better, one of the puffers is begging for food a little, and he eats it, but spits it out. It's almost like he can't swallow it. I imagine ammonia poisoning can damage tissues, etc.

I've been doing daily water changes, and I'm going to do another one tonight and add another powerhead for extra aeration; other that I don't think there's much else I can do but hope that the damage isn't too great and that they can recover.

Any advice?
I wonder if Melafix would help if there is any tissue damage?

CoreyK wrote:I wonder if Melafix would help if there is any tissue damage?

can't hurt...

Jase wrote:

CoreyK wrote:I wonder if Melafix would help if there is any tissue damage?

can't hurt...

It worked on the ammonia burns on one of my comets in 3 days.

I know it's not as dramatic as Annabelle's saga, but after about a week, both the puffers ate quite a bit today! Fat little tummies full of bloodworms. They seem to be feeling a lot better, back to their normal selves for the most part.
This is the second day I've been treating the tank with Melafix and it seems to be working. Dramatic difference from Monday for both puffers.
Water is completely clear and stable.

Mrs. Goby unfortunately still isn't feeling well, not interested in food at all, just lays about. Scares me because half the time she's at awkward angles. I hope she pulls through.

Glad to hear things are better in there....I hope Mrs. Goby starts eating soon.