The Puffer Forum

hi everyone

my new ceylon has got fungus on his tail he is very quiet he wont eat and i a very worried

PH - 8
Ammonia - 0
nitrite - 0
nitrate - 5

tank size is 30g just the ceylon in tank

water change will be 25% per week i have started to use melafix yesterday

the tank has been set up for about one month but with a filter from a tank that has been running for 2 years so hope this is ok

i have only had him 2 days and i would appreciate any help as i dont want him to die

Can you get any pictures? It will help to see what is going on.

Melafix is a good start, a picture would really help.

ok here are some pics




these are the best i coulddo so hope it helps

Keep your water pristine and keep up with the recommended melafix dosage and it should start to clear.
I had a similar, but not quite so bad dose of fungus on my GSP and melafix did the trick.

Also... how big is your puff and what salinity is it in? this could be a factor in the eating issues, and could also be compounding the fungal problem as well if kept in fresh water, or too low brackish.

he is about 5 to 6 inch and is in fresh water because thats what he came in from the lfs. I have only had him 3 days now and did not know where to start first, any suggestions on wether i should be adding salt now or when he is feeling better would be good

If you want to try something just a litle stronger get some:
Furan-2 (may be best if you can find it) It treats bacterial and fungal infections. It comes in a box of 10 packages, one package treats 10 gallons. I've used this before.

redblackwhite wrote:he is about 5 to 6 inch and is in fresh water because thats what he came in from the lfs. I have only had him 3 days now and did not know where to start first, any suggestions on wether i should be adding salt now or when he is feeling better would be good

You will need a hydrometer and marine salt. At that size, yes he needs to be in high brackish. Raise your sg by .002 each week. This will not kill your good bacteria. Also make sure you get a hydrometer that starts at 1.001, or a refractometer. You can get a refratometer off ebay for around $30-$40 shipped.

I personally would start increasing the salt content as soon as possible.
It can't be helping matters with him being in fresh

the melafix dosnt seem to be working. I got up this morning and his whole tail is covered in white fluff is there anything else i can try ? I cant find furan - 2
I alredy have a hydrometer and marine salt as i also keep gsp's i am going to upgrade my 2 gsps to a bigger tank which leaves my 50g tank free ( which is at 1.004) could i put the ceylon in there ? The reason i ask is i woud like to keep the tank he is in at the moment fresh water

Do you have Pimafix? Melafix is only for bacterial, Pimafix is for bacterial and fungal infections.
Fungus cure by API, is also for both.

Edit, I just realized you're in the UK. I'm not sure what meds are available over there. I was telling you things that were easy to find at a petsmart.

primafix is available over here i will get some of that . What is your opinion on moving him to the old gsp tank ?

I wouldn't put him with other fish, unless the old tank can be used as a qt with just him.

i was going to put the gsps into my other tank which is just for them and then put the ceylon in the old gsp tank

Sounds good, a high end brackish fish of that size will often get fin rots and fungus activity just from being in fresh water in captivity.