The Puffer Forum

pH-7.4
Ammonia-0 ppm
Nitrite-0 ppm
Nitrate- 5-10 ppm
Tank size- 10 gal. QT (Fresh)
Products used/using- Melafix, Jungle Parasite Clear, Stress Coat+
Puffer fed 2x daily small pieces of raw frozen shrimp or freeze dired krill or sun dried gammarus.
50% water change done today before second dose of Parasite Clear in 48 hours.
2 minute 1.002 salinity bath done today

Figure 8 purchased 3 days ago from Marine Warehouse Aquarium in Tampa...they have quite a few different species of puffer, fresh(brackish) and saltwater.

A day after I got him he developed small spots that I suspect to be ich. I guess it was stress from being put in the new tank. I have seen him have little spasms once or twice as he swam. Today I noticed he also has a mild case of cloudy eye.

My tap water has a pH of around 8.0-8.2 so I guess the Parasite Clear tablet added today dropped the pH.

He looks a bit pale right now but when I put him in the bath his back and spots became dark very nicely.

I have treated the water with Parasite Clear but not his food as yet. Will try tomorrow.

It just seems as if these first few treatments have upset him, although he is eating he just seems stressed.

Any suggestions/comments would really help. Thanks.

Any pics?
Tank cycled?
Keeping using melafix

Will post pics ASAP.
Tank is cycled and has been running for about 6 months now (previously inhabited by pleco and 4 guppies)

Ok.

Melafix cures cloudy eye, correct?

Im pretty sure,yes

Melafix will help cloudy eye, ragged fins, and many other problems but it is usually not an overnight kind of med, so you have to be patient with it. (Although sometimes you see a really quick response, too.)

Treating for IPs very often takes a lot out of a puffer, so keep his stress level to the absolute minimum until you complete treatment. Adding an airstone helps too, I'm told. Were spasms the only symptom of IPs that you saw? Or do you normally treat your new fish for them?

I lost a GSP to IP's a while ago...before I was properly "enlightened" by this forum. As for the F8 his belly goes down really fast after I feed him. No IP poo yet though.

His poos seem to come out an orangish color as opposed to black/brown when I first brought him home.

Here are some pics taken this morning and just a moment ago

How long do I leave the Parasite Clear in the water before I do a water change? I think he realy isn't taking well to it...

For 48 hours, as it says in the directions on the box. You may repeat up to 3 times. You should try to get some of the meds into his food, if you can.

I read the directions. I just thought that maybe 48 hours would be too long for a puffer. I noticed alot of puffer owners on this site treat with reduced dosages so as not to harm them.

For some meds, yes, you don't use the full dose with puffers. However with IP meds, you always use the full dose.

ahhh....I see. A quick update though, I soaked some smallish pieces of shrimp for like 5 minutes in about 1/16th of the tablet and he's MAULING it lol!

Excellent.