The Puffer Forum

I recently got a new porcupine puffer that has lost almost all of it color. I noticed a spot on it's back the day after I got him and over the past 48 hours the spot has spread to almost it's entire back. Person at my LFS told me he did not know what causes it but he has had this happen to puffers before and they have always died. Has anyone had this experience before? Is the color loss caused by stress from moving into my tank or could it be some sort of infection? He is in a 55 gallon tank with a humuhumu trigger that was added the same day and a spiny blue lobster who has lived there for a few months. I just tested the water, PH is 8.2, Ammonia is .25 ppm, Nitrate is below 5ppm, Nitrite is below .25ppm, salt is 1.023. He ate krill yesterday but has not eaten today and has been swimming around the tank normally.



http://img22.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img2336.jpg

Puffers are EXTREMELY sensitive to ammonia. Your tank is not fully cycled. Your levels should be at zero.
He is losing his color most likely due to stress. You know you will have to upgrade to a 120 gallon tank for *just* the puffer, correct?

Your tank isn't cycled; that's number one. Do you know about cycling? Look up the fishless cycling article in the library. There is also an article on what to do here: library/water-filtration/emergencycycle/.

Second, you need a much bigger tank. Look up the Pufferpedia article on porcupines.

Thirdly, there was an earlier post that talked about a similar color change in a porc. They never figured out what was wrong. The owner euthanized her fish fairly early on.

First, follow the instructions in the article I linked you to.

Do you have pimafix and melafix? Adding those is *probably* a good idea. I'm no expert, though. As for a good treatment, you'll have to wait for one of the gurus to post.

P.S. A picture would be great.

LilGreenPuffer wrote:P.S. A picture would be great.

It's attatched at the end of the post..

20 Gallons for the Trigger
55 Gal for the lobster
120 gal for the puffer
____________________
195 Gallon tank.

Ooops, thought that was the signature. My bad! Do you have a clearer picture? And you say that it's now all over its back. Maybe a more recent one?

Anyway, I know we're kind of jumping on you, but we're just trying to help! Take heart; you can save this little guy!

I don't know much about porcs but I do know my share about cycling. Your tank is almost cycled but not quite..

I can't see the picture you posted. Do a search for pictures of porcs with vibrio. It starts as a small spot and speards quickly. The puffer will usually die with 48 hours. I don't know if that's what yours has or not, I just hope you can eliminate it if you see a photo of it.

Here's a link with pictures:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=15299&start=15

How's the puffer?

I just realized your picture was a link, I'm sorry to say that it looks just like Vibro to me.


Do not buy another porc puffer from the same place. Your tank is now infect with the disease as is theirs. I don't know enough about it to give you advise. Your best bet would be to go to marinedepot.com enter the forum and ask Puffer Queen for help. This is very very bad. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

That porc has vibrio. It's a gram negative bacteria. Treat with Maracyn-2 for saltwater.
I really hate to say this, but your puffer has it so bad I am doubtful it will make it. I've started treating puffers with it the right when it was a tiny blob and had no luck. The fact he is swimming around and recently ate is a good sign though
I wish you and your puffer all the luck in the world.

Here's a link to when my porc got it years ago, hopefully the info will help you.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7900&p=81305#p81305

Not to go off-topic, but what's the DP forum mentioned in that old post?

It's http://www.dwarfpuffers.com

Found it! And saw you and Nick on there. I'm registering there under the same name.