The Puffer Forum

I just purchased a puffer at a discount price due to a purple coloration on the rear dorsal side of the puffer. The store manager was't sure what the problem was since the puffer doesn't show any respiration problems and readily follows a finger out of curiosity. He also said the puffer is eating (so he says), but he is not eating right now. I introduced him into my 55 gallon tank yesterday which has been successfully cycling for over a year with no problems. He does seem to be swimming properly with normal respiration. However, he does swim up and down the glass frequently (probably sees his reflection). I'm not sure, but the purple seems to be spreading. I'll have to watch it for a while, but does anyone know what this is so I know what I'm dealing with.

I posted a picture of the problem, but it isn't a picture of my puffer, it is someone elses puffer that had the same problem and he didn't get a response on a different forum. I don't think this is a bruise...

I believe that looks like what is a horrible, fast moving, flesh-eating diesase that kills the puffer in a day or 2. I've never heard of a puffer come out of this. Your tank is now contaminated, so either bring it back to die or after it dies, toss everything, bleach everything & start your tank over. Sorry for such bad news on your 1st post. Best to only purchase healthy fish for now on & QT.

It's a shame! He isn't showing any signs of being affected by the problem (at least not yet). Maybe there is still time. If it is bacterial, I assume I should lower the temp of the tank since bacteria love warmth. Could it be fungus instead (try topical malchite green)?

Has anyone had any luck with a fast acting antibiotic? Also, i assume freshwater dips won't work since it isn't parasitic, but I heard that freshwater dips and/or hypo treatment is almost a "cure all." Please, I don't want to give up on this guy, he seems like he still has a personality and yearning or help.

BTW: 0 nh3, 1.024, 8.5ph, 55gallon.

The disease is call Vibrio. It's a killer. Sorry.

Yikes! I'm so sorry to hear this.

from the litature i can find on that disease it's not good for humans either.....be very careful when your working in that tank not to have an open wound on you.....
and if i were you i'd take that fish back to where you bought it and then completely tear that tank down and bleach it well....not knowing which bacterium of this disease it's just not worth taking a chance on....
i'm so sorry about your little finned friend....

I'm doing what I can, but he is now resting on the bottom in a crevice between the decorations. I love giving broken animals a chance, I just wish I could do something more for this guy. Maybe I'll get lucky, who knows, but it doensn't look good. Its a shame because he's a softball sized "cute" porker.

OH GOD. I have a picture of one like that but its on its face. Really bad and graphic.
Tell me if you wanna see it.

ug.php/v/User_Galleries/Sponge+bob/BMX+ ... 6.jpg.html
Heres the link

Sponge bob wrote:ug.php/v/User_Galleries/Sponge+bob/BMX+ ... 6.jpg.html
Heres the link

That's such a sad picture

Very

Try a combined therapy of Maracyn and Maracyn II in a hospital setup or as 10-20times overdosed half hour baths.

The problem with this Vibrio sp. infection is that almost never real antibiotics are used in the early stage (which would be day 1).

A large UV sterilizer with a slow flow and feeding high vitamin food as well as high oxygen (esp. by surface current, 30 times tank volume per hour, no skimming while treating) can support the treatment.

There are many diffeent Vibrio spp. with very variable symptoms, the most commonly known affecting humans is cholera. I *guess* Cholera meds may have an influence on the fish Vibrio species, too. Anyway, don't grab into the aquarum with wounds and clean your hands thoroughly after contact with the fish or its water.

Another imporant Vibrio species (obviously not the one of this infection) is thought by some scientists to live in symbiosis with puffers and to produce their tetrodotoxin poison.

Well, my puffer died almost a few days after posting the aformentioned information. However, if my luck couldn't get worse, my puffer "in a different tank" now has the same disease. I found out today when he was swimming near the top of the tank! I was so careful not to contaminate the other puffer's tank, but somehow it happened. Maybe some of this disease was underneath my finernails or something, so I can definitely tell you that it is EXTREMELY contageous! Regardless, I moved this puffer out of the 30 gallon and now into a 10 gallon hospital. I don't want to lose this one too! His eye is getting a little cloudy too.

Anyway, I am using Para Guard, cleaned and moved the heater into the 10 gallon and a new airstone. My UV sterilizer is on my freshwater tank, so that's out of the question for now. Any other ideas? Freshwater dip maybe...

Oh, hopefully this teaches others a lesson: DON'T BUY FISH THAT DON'T LOOK HEALTHY AND QUARANTINE EVERYTHING BEFORE INTRODUCING THEM! Even washing hands before tending to the other tank wasn't enough. Anyway, I was lazy and look what's happening (an epidemic). My 2 year old puffer is now probably going to die. The little guy looks so stressed now, but at least his water is new and hopefully untainted.

Wow this is so awful I'm sorry your having so much trouble and I hope your other puffer makes it.

Yea, the family want's to call it quits with salt water now. Nothing but bad luck and bad decisions. Unless you have the time to dedicate, it's not worth it. Everyone gets so attached to the fish and we'll miss him spitting water at us when it's time to feed him. We might try one more time, but I'm not sure.

I don't know why the store would sell us a fish and say that the purple problem was a bruise when they knew damn well that the bruise was a disease (I didn't know, never seen this disease before). I guess I was a sucker and felt bad for the the first puffer that died hoping that I could nurse him back to health and now I'm losing my 2yr old veteran.

Anyone have any ideas for online fish ordering? I've had such bad luck locally that I might try the online thing this time. Else, I will just have to go diving and get my own.