Havent been on here for a while, I recently had a little one and time is very limited. Plus, Boomer, my MBU was doing fabulous.
Was being the word.....
I dont know what happened and am curious as to whether anyone at all could have an explaination.
Saturday morning, he had his usual 30% water change, and that afternoon had a lovely lunch of cockles and mussels. On Saturday evening he seemed to be sitting at the bottom of his tank, he didnt look distressed. I just thought he was digesting his dinner as he normally did.
Sunday morning came, he was still at the bottom of his tank which i found a little odd, i did some water tests to make sure everything was ok, which it was, ammonia 0, nitrites 0, nitrates at 10. Checked the PH levels and no sudden increase or decrease. I kept an eye on him and by the afternoon he seemed to have picked up a little.
I went out on Monday when i came back he seemed to very subdued. Although not resting at the bottom of the tank he was floating (for want of a better word) in the middle of the tank.
I then thought the best way to put my mind at rest, was to try and tempt him with some prawns. Unfortunately, and he didnt respond. Thats when i really started to worry (He has always had a great appetite)....
Within about 10 mins of trying to feed him it all started happening....
He began shooting across the bottom of the tank, and coughing like he was trying to bring up a piece of shell (if that makes sense)....then he started thrashing about the tank, it was then that i noticed he was leaking from him bum.....more thrashing and the leaking got worse and it was then could see that it was blood. All i could do was watch in horror. His breathing had slowed right down and unfortunately after one last session of thrashing about, he'd gone. The whole think lasted for about 15 mins, it seemed like an eternity.
I was left in complete turmoil not knowing what the hell had happened. I now blame myself thinking that perhaps it was because of the food i had given him, but he has had that so many times before, maybe he had a piece of shell stuck, but then i didnt see any lumps in his tummy. He was 4 years old (well, I've had him for nearly 4 years)... So surely it cant have been old age!!
Sorry if there is too much detail on here... but is there anyone that can perhaps give me an insight as to what it might have been? As you can imagine i am totally gutted, its heartbreaking. It seems odd having a massive tank with only 2 catfish and 2 plecs in.
I look forward to hearing from anyone...
Thank you
Devastated
Forum rules
Read this before posting!!
Since this board has been up, we have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help right away (if we can!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.
1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.
2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.
3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)
4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.
5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.
We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.
While you wait for assistance:
One of the easiest and best ways to help your fish feel better is clean water! If you are already on a regular water change schedule (50% weekly is recommended) a good step to making your fish more comfortable while waiting for diagnosis/suggestions is to do a large water change immediately. Feel free to repeat daily or as often as you can, clean water is always a good thing! Use of Amquel or Prime as a dechlor may help with any ammonia or nitrite issues, and is highly recommended.
Note - if you do not normally do large water changes, doing a sudden, large water change could shock your fish by suddenly changing their established water chemistry. Clean water is still your first goal, so in this case, do several smaller (10%) water changes over the next day or two before starting any large ones.
Read this before posting!!
Since this board has been up, we have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help right away (if we can!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.
1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.
2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.
3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)
4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.
5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.
We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.
While you wait for assistance:
One of the easiest and best ways to help your fish feel better is clean water! If you are already on a regular water change schedule (50% weekly is recommended) a good step to making your fish more comfortable while waiting for diagnosis/suggestions is to do a large water change immediately. Feel free to repeat daily or as often as you can, clean water is always a good thing! Use of Amquel or Prime as a dechlor may help with any ammonia or nitrite issues, and is highly recommended.
Note - if you do not normally do large water changes, doing a sudden, large water change could shock your fish by suddenly changing their established water chemistry. Clean water is still your first goal, so in this case, do several smaller (10%) water changes over the next day or two before starting any large ones.
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blondenblue
- Green Spotted Puffer
- Posts: 252
- Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2008 5:32 am
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: A M. leiurus Called Puffle!
A MBU Called Moob - Location: Cornwall UK
- Contact:
Re: Devastated
I am so sorry for your loss.
Dont blame yourself
I can only think that maybe he had a deformity inside, or a tumour or something.
Dont blame yourself
I can only think that maybe he had a deformity inside, or a tumour or something.
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puffertt77
- Suspended
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South American Puffer named Bollo RIP :(
3 Dwarf Puffers yet to be named
Red Eye Red Tailed Puffer - Returned to LFS for being to vicious
Porky the Porcupine
Pup the Dogface - Location: London
Re: Devastated
Yeah don't blame yourself it sounds like there's nothing you could've done to help him 
Maybe it's to soon now but you should get yourself another Puffer to look after
Maybe it's to soon now but you should get yourself another Puffer to look after
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edmlfc1
- Mbu Puffer
- Posts: 2011
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2007 5:03 pm
- My Puffers: Elvis (Stars & Stripes) R.I.P. 9/11/11
125G:Fahaka (Annabelle) - Location (country): U.S.A.
- Location: Texas
Re: Devastated
So sorry to hear that. I don't know what happened, but what you feed him is what he would eat in the wild. There's really nothing you could have done to prevent it.
Need to know what kind of puffer you have? Click on Puffer ID.....Puffer ID: ug.php/v/PufferPedia/
What to feed your puffer? Click on Feeding......
Feeding: library/feeding/feeding-your-puffers/
Have a GSP, need more information......Click on GSP Article.....
GSP Article: library/puffers-in-focus/an-introductio ... d-puffers/
What to feed your puffer? Click on Feeding......
Feeding: library/feeding/feeding-your-puffers/
Have a GSP, need more information......Click on GSP Article.....
GSP Article: library/puffers-in-focus/an-introductio ... d-puffers/
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Agnate
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 1203
- Joined: Mon Dec 10, 2007 7:44 pm
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1 Abei Puffer [Monotrete Abei]
(Captain Abe) - Location: Ontario, Canada
- Contact:
Re: Devastated
I've heard a lot of heartbreaking stories about puffers meeting their end because of pieces of shells. I really seems like the cause, but there's nothing you can do about it, short of doing immediate surgery.
I'm really sorry, as I'm sure that was a horrendous 15 minutes.
I'm really sorry, as I'm sure that was a horrendous 15 minutes.
Did our staff successfully help you? The Puffer Forum is an incredible resource and is run completely on the donations of its viewers. Proceeds from the Puffer Forum store go towards future contests and keeping the site running. Donations may also be made via PayPal.
- Paul
40 gallon - Future home of Abei Puffer
28 gallon - 1 Abei Puffer (Captain Abe)
5 gallon - 1 Betta (Frederico)
- Paul
40 gallon - Future home of Abei Puffer
28 gallon - 1 Abei Puffer (Captain Abe)
5 gallon - 1 Betta (Frederico)
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LilGreenPuffer
- Former Staff Member
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- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Dwarf puffer - Thumbelina (only mine in my heart now; she lives in CT with my friend)
RIP Inigo Montoya, Fezzik, and Vizinni.
RIP James Bond. - Location (country): United States
- Location: Kentucky
Re: Devastated
That's absolutely horrible. Wow. I'm so sorry."I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
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Sponge bob
- Mbu Puffer
- Posts: 1185
- Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 9:50 pm
- Gender: Male
- Location (country): United States of America, North America
- Location: Long Island, New york
Re: Devastated
Aww.Don't take it all on your self. That stuff happens sometimes. I sorry about your loss.
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APOCRAPHYA
- Puffer Fry
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fishlady1958
- Figure 8 Puffer
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colony of 60 F1 tropheus red chimba's
assorted cichlid tank....calvus, buffalo head, honduran red point, hi fin loaches...
4 discus in a planted tank
tetra's, and rams in another planted tank.... - Location: Cypress, Texas
- Contact:
Re: Devastated
i'm so sorry for your loss, and the tragic end you had to face with him....
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Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
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- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
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- My Puffers: Puffers I have kept:
T lineatus
T miurus
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C papuan
C lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
- Location: Greenville, SC
- Contact:
Re: Devastated
Wow, that had to be horrible to watch! It is hard for me to believe puffers would die from shell fragments, since this is a completely natural food for them. I hate to mention this, but could you possible bring yourself to do an auropsy? It would be really helpful to know if you find shell fragments & a cut up stomach.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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Agnate
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 1203
- Joined: Mon Dec 10, 2007 7:44 pm
- My Puffers: -
1 Abei Puffer [Monotrete Abei]
(Captain Abe) - Location: Ontario, Canada
- Contact:
Re: Devastated
We eat fish naturally, but that doesn't mean the bones wouldn't get stuck in our throats. People choke on food every day, and some can/do die from it if there's nobody there who knows how to help, so I don't see it as impossible.
Remember, even if shelled crustaceans are part of their diet, it doesn't mean that particular species of crustacean is (wouldn't freshwater crustaceans have significantly thinner or softer shells than marine ones?). There was a post in the General Discussion of a guy who had to pull the trapdoor from an apple snail out of his puffer's throat because he was choking on it.
Remember, even if shelled crustaceans are part of their diet, it doesn't mean that particular species of crustacean is (wouldn't freshwater crustaceans have significantly thinner or softer shells than marine ones?). There was a post in the General Discussion of a guy who had to pull the trapdoor from an apple snail out of his puffer's throat because he was choking on it.
Did our staff successfully help you? The Puffer Forum is an incredible resource and is run completely on the donations of its viewers. Proceeds from the Puffer Forum store go towards future contests and keeping the site running. Donations may also be made via PayPal.
- Paul
40 gallon - Future home of Abei Puffer
28 gallon - 1 Abei Puffer (Captain Abe)
5 gallon - 1 Betta (Frederico)
- Paul
40 gallon - Future home of Abei Puffer
28 gallon - 1 Abei Puffer (Captain Abe)
5 gallon - 1 Betta (Frederico)
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marksrush
- Fahaka Puffer
- Posts: 856
- Joined: Sat Sep 13, 2008 8:10 pm
- Gender: Male
- My Puffers: One GSP.
- Location (country): USA
- Location: Raymore, Missouri USA
Re: Devastated
What an awful tragedy, I'm sorry it happened. My condolences.
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flash.dan
- Green Spotted Puffer
- Posts: 433
- Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2008 9:50 am
- My Puffers: 8 years of FW puffer care!
currently have 1x mbu
Bubba 17" gentle giant... loves a belly tickle.
2x Suvatti Pair
1x Carinotetraodon borneensis - Location: Coventry, UK
Re: Devastated
i went through a horrible situation with a shell recently with cutiepie i have decided not ill only feed her off oyster shells so she wont swallow much because its too hard to break..... horrible story especially with a mbu they are so so interactive
Re: Devastated
Just want to thank everyone for their kind words.
I'm afraid i really cant bring myself to start cutting him open as much as i want to know what happened, something like that is beyond me.
Rightly or wrongly he has been buried in the garden and a little shrub placed on top of him.
He was a very interactive MBU. He took up a whole wall in our living room for a start! My 18 month old still points to the tank and shouts pissshhhh at the top of his voice... bless him!
Once again, thanks to everyone.
I'm afraid i really cant bring myself to start cutting him open as much as i want to know what happened, something like that is beyond me.
Rightly or wrongly he has been buried in the garden and a little shrub placed on top of him.
He was a very interactive MBU. He took up a whole wall in our living room for a start! My 18 month old still points to the tank and shouts pissshhhh at the top of his voice... bless him!
Once again, thanks to everyone.
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define999
- Dwarf Puffer
- Posts: 91
- Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2008 11:52 am
- Gender: Male
- My Puffers: 1 GSP
3 mono's - Location (country): USA
Re: Devastated
Im so sorry dude, that is one of the most terrible things I have heard in a long time. I know youl never be able to replace a pet so grand, but maybe with time you can aquire a new friend to care for......
