The Puffer Forum

1) Your water parameters - Ammonia = 0, Nitrite = 0, Nitrates = 5.

2) 10 gallons - 3 dwarf puffers, 1 "whiptail catfish" (that's what I've been told it was... doesn't look like a catfish at all, more like a pleco. It has a pleco's eyes.) 2 or so ghost shrimp. Planted. Eco complete substrate.

3) They are fed once a day, sometimes every other day, depending on how fat they are. Usually thawed blood worms soaked in vitamins. Lately live blackworms. Occasional snails, if I can find baby ones. they didn't like clam. Water changes once a week(30% - 50%), stir up the substrate, dose with ferts, PRIME for water treatment.

4) About 2 weeks ago, we moved. He's had the problem before that, but it was just a bump at that point.

5) Been set up for a few months, at least 6. I had to flash cycle it since the DP I had wasn't doing well in the 5 gallon I had previously put him in. I used filter media from an established tank along with some gravel and live plants from another established tank.



I noticed one of my DPs had a bump right between his eyes a few weeks ago. He was still eating, and still acting normal, so I didn't think anything of it, other than maybe it was a tumor. I've been keeping an eye on him, he's still active and all, still eating, but his bump turned into a white spot, and now the spot seems to be an open wound. I wouldn't say there's a cottony looking anything on it, other than the fact that it's white. None of the other fish seem to be affected by it (yet) but I'm worried that it will start affecting them soon.

I went to my LFS and asked about treating him (and the tank) with melafix and primafix, since I know that's what you guys will all tell me to do. Against my better judgement, they sold me API fungus cure. When I spoke to the guys at the LFS, for some reason, I think they thought I was talking about GSPs, even though I made it extremely clear that I was talking about DPs. They kept mentioning salt and how they're scaleless and will probably not respond well to medicine anyway.

Here's my real question (sorry for the length here!) My tank is planted. Should I go ahead with this fungus treatment and hope it works or should I go back and get the other 2 options (melafix and primafix)? Will I be able to treat the tank vs putting the little guy in quarantine (I don't have a quarantine tank atm). Will any and all treatment kill my plants? I know to take out the carbon from the HOB, but do I leave my biofilter? I NEVER have sick fish!

thanks, folks!

Fungus looks like branches with filaments on them... bacterial infection looks like cotton, and is often misdiagnosed as fungus. Just white flesh is probably simply raw from the zip popping.

Hey lilgirlkat

My SAP Bollo had a little white spot/ball that then turned into what looked like 3 prick holes in his skin, it went on to look like cracked skin and was a sort of lump (still havin the 3 pricks in it)

I treated with both Melifix and Pimafix as you mentioned and it was gone within 4 or 5 days

So in short I would treat the tank with Melifix and Pimafix as it will not harm the other fish or your plants

Make sure you've got an air stone going in the tank while treating as both Melifix and Pimafix can reduce the oxygen in the water (just check that they're not gasping)

I would not use the medication personally..

I've seen those sort of white bumps that then turn into a crater and then fill in with new tissue on my turgidus in the past.. In his case, it happens when his water isn't "good" enough. Here, he has no problems. My last apartment, even though nitrates were low, the water was still kind of yucky and he always had skin issues unless I did water changes with some RO mixed in to dilute the nasties.

My guess would be you may have had some dirty water issues before the move either due to your water source or maybe you didn't have time to do changes before moving (the tank is slightly overstocked with that catfish in there), and the stress of the move let it get a little worse.

I'd do a couple extra water changes over the next few days, maybe use a gallon or two of bottled RO water from the store but don't use 100% RO of course. Melafix won't hurt. See if that takes care of it.

well -- the bf came home from work to find the little guy stuck to the filter intake.

I did a small water change, and added melafix and primafix, but now he's just laying under a leaf breathing heavily.

I hope he makes it.

Keep going with the water changes! That's your best bet, most medications will just stress him out more.

Be sure to check the temperature, ammonia, nitrites, etc...

he's doing a TON better today. He's swimming around and being social with the other mini puffs. The bf fed him, and he tore up some blackworms, still looks a bit skinny, tho. Since I didn't see him eat, I have no clue how much he actually ate.

I plan on another water change tonight, and possibly half doses of melafix and primafix, since his white spot is still the same size.

thanks, guys!