The Puffer Forum

Well I just joined and I know if I spent a few hours looking around I'd probably find the answer. But I'd prefer an answer now so I can handle it ASAP.

I've read a few threads where people have recommended treating new fahakas for parasites to avoid future problems. I was just wondering what those future problems might be?
Also, how necessary is it to treat right away?
I just got my fahaka and he's about 4". I bought him from another hobbyist and he has been doing good for the past 4 days now. His markings are in good shape, he's eating, and he's swimming all over the place so I assume he's healthy. Anyway, any help would be much appreciated.

I think it's more when they are coming straight from the wild. All fish carry some sorta parasites in their natural environment but when taken outta that environment they become susceptable(sp?) to those parasites.

The reason we say treat right away is because once the worms take over the body of the fish it will stop eating. When that happens there is a chance that you cannot save it, it may be too far gone. You can use prazipro or gel-tek ultra cure px (if you can find it) to treat for worms. Just follow the directions on the package. If the fish will not eat food soaked in prazipro you can dose the tank.

My story short version: I thought Annabelle was healthy when I got her. I had treated her twice for IP's. After a few months she passed a 30" tapeworm then we started dealing with camallanus worms. She didn't show any signs of illness, she ate well, swam around and then one day I noticed the tapeworm. If your fahaka is eating I suggest deworming asap. Annabelle is doing great now after two months of dealing with this. She was on the extreme side of things, that dosen't mean your puffer will have the same things she's had. I'm just saying it's best to treat them asap and not wait until they show signs. I had some problems with her refusing food during treatment. It took me weeks to get her to eat again. Now she's back to being a pig. I have one more worm treatment to give her next week and hopefully we will be totally done. I will know for sure in 3-4 months.

This is just my story. If you read around the forum you can other stories about worms. Not what Annabelle had but just plain IP's. Some puffer's are alive and well some have passed. It is very important to treat them.

I wouldn't worry, about these things unless you have bought a fish from the store (in that case, it hasn't been long out of the wild), if you add another fish from the store & didn't QT it (it can give your fish diseases) or if you feed your fish feeders from the store (really bad idea).

I think your friend is safe. Check out the articles on treating parasites & also on feedinfg feeders, in our Library, for more info.

Was your Fahaka de-wormed by you friend once he/she got it and how long had he/she had it prior to you getting it? If the answers are "No" and "not long" I would highly consider worming it. It's not that traumaic or overly stressing to the fish, especially if he is still eating and will take the med soaked food. My two cents worth....

No need to worm a seemingly long-time healthy fish, unless it shows signs of parasites.

Thanks for all the quick responses. I'm glad I didn't get flamed for not looking around first. Thanks alot I can see this is a great forum.
Anyway, I don't really know the guy who had the fahaka he was selling it on a local fish forum here in Hawaii. As the fish is only 4" long I would assume he probably got it at around 2" or so. So I guess he had it for a month to 3 months. I'll try and ask him.
If this is the case then maybe I really should just worm him to be safe. He's doing really well so far and I'm just worried about something happening (reaction to meds). If you guys have had all positive responses to these meds then I'll take the chance. An ounce of prevention adn all that.

Is he normally shaped (like a footbal) & does his poop look good (not white or stringy)? I don't treat every single puffer that comes into my house for IPs.

Pufferpunk wrote:Is he normally shaped (like a footbal) & does his poop look good (not white or stringy)? I don't treat every single puffer that comes into my house for IPs.

After seeing the problems people have been having with IP's I treat mine prophylacticly with food soaked in Gel Tek Ultra Cure for 3 days before they stop eating. It's not that rough on the fish and I like to be better safe than sorry. PP I agree with you that a lot of puffers don't need it but I'm kind of a caution freak when it comes to things like this.

Pufferpunk wrote:Is he normally shaped (like a footbal) & does his poop look good (not white or stringy)? I don't treat every single puffer that comes into my house for IPs.

He is shaped like a football.
His poop is small, red colored, and pill-like. I guess its red because I've been feeding him live crayfish.
Speaking of that. How would I medicate him if he only eats live food?
Also, (on a different subject) how did you guys get yours to eat frozen foods? I have krill and mysis and he wont tough either; even after I starved him for four days. I tried to put a fishing line thru it to make it look animated and he didn't even notice it.

We have an article on that in our Library.