The Puffer Forum

My poor little Puffy came with all sorts of problems that just wont seem to go away. I'm new to this so I am freaking out at everything possible. Haha.

I have several questions that I can't seem to find any info on. (I've read both articles in the library.) Puffy is a 2 inch Fahaka Puffer and also the only one in my 10 gallon tank. (Dont worry, I plan on getting a MUCH larger tank as soon as I move in a month or so.) Unfortunately, I don't have the API master test kit so I can't give any specific numbers but I tested the water with the Jungle test strips and everything is ideal and in the right range. (I plan on getting the API kit soon too.) I have been feeding him a mix of shrimp from the grocery store (cut up into small pieces) and bloodworms with vitamins/nutrients added to it. I also currently have pond snails and ghost shrimp in qt tanks I plan on feeding him soon. I do a 50% water change every 2 or 3 days. The things added to the water are aquarium salt, Parasite Clear, Aquasafe (water conditioner) and Melafix. A few days ago, I also treated the tank with Jungle's Parasite Clear as directed on the package (Remove carbon filter, add one tablet to each 10 U.S. gallons of aquarium water) but I used 1/2 a tablet instead of a full one. It says treatment can be repeated up to 2x with 48 hours between and a 25% water change (which I did, completing one full tablet). The ingredients include: praziquantel, diflubenzuron, metronidazole, and acriflavine. I also added a teaspoon of Melafix to the tank a couple days as well because I noticed a couple boo boos on his belly. The aquarium was up for a month before Puffy was introduced to the tank. I cycled the tank with 2 Mystery Snails and 3 African Dwarf Frogs which were all removed from the tank before Puffy was introduced. The Aquasafe also said that it introduces healthy bacteria to the tank as well as neutralizing potential chemicals. On a side note, the frogs died from what I believed was chytrid, a disease that does not harm fish and only affects frogs. That's pretty much all the background info I can think of!

He currently has ich which I have been treating for about a week now but new cysts are still appearing. I currently have the tank at 80 degrees and I have 2 tablespoons of salt for every 5 gallons. The old cysts are still there and 2 new ones appeared today. The infestation isn't super bad but it isnt exactly pleasant either! Also, I've been conflicted on ip. After I had him for a couple of days, I noticed white chunks of poo at the bottom of the tank. Initially, I thought it was ip but after I looked at the pictures of white poo in the sticky in the general discussion and considering that I overfed him the day before, I decided that it was most likely undigested shrimp. I did, however, soak a piece of shrimp in Jungle Parasite Clear which he ate happily. His poo was black and normal the day after. I added the half tablet in order to help with the ich as well. On the other hand, today, I found whitish/orangish poo on the bottom of the tank that did resemble the poo in the pictures. Puffy's overall behavior hasn't really changed. He's still acting the same as the first day I got him, extremely curious and pretty active (with the exception of several lazy hours once in a while after I accidentally overfeed him). His color was extremely dark a couple days ago as well. It's back to normal now though.

So to sum it all up, my questions are: (I figured it'd be easier to list them rather than including them in all that!)
I've heard that Jungle Parasite Clear is light sensitive. Is this true?
Has anyone used this treatment before and does it work well?
Is it normal for ich cysts to still appear even though I've been doing treatment?
If Puffy poops stringy whitish/orangish stuff, does it mean he has already flushed out the ip or is it still affecting him?
Is it possible that the grocery store shrimp is giving him ip? (I've keep it frozen and feed it to him raw after thawing it in tank water.)
What causes the color change and why does he do it?
Is there anything else I can do to help him and heal him faster?

I'm sorry if these are all dumb questions! I'm totally new to all this. I plan on doing another 50% wc tonight and a gravel vac. I just want Puffy to be healthy! Thanks guys!

For the ich and Ip
Use what ur using.
If u have a heater use it, the Cysts, I really dont no much about.
Sorry
All I can say are the things I said and We hope he makes it

Thanks Spongebob! You've been so unbelievably helpful. You're the best!

I have several questions that I can't seem to find any info on. (I've read both articles in the library.) Puffy is a 2 inch Fahaka Puffer and also the only one in my 10 gallon tank. (Dont worry, I plan on getting a MUCH larger tank as soon as I move in a month or so.)<<Do this as soon as possible. Until then do water changes every other day consistently.>>

Unfortunately, I don't have the API master test kit so I can't give any specific numbers but I tested the water with the Jungle test strips and everything is ideal and in the right range. (I plan on getting the API kit soon too.)
<<What exactly are the readings?>>

I have been feeding him a mix of shrimp from the grocery store (cut up into small pieces) and bloodworms with vitamins/nutrients added to it. I also currently have pond snails and ghost shrimp in qt tanks I plan on feeding him soon. I do a 50% water change every 2 or 3 days. The things added to the water are aquarium salt, Parasite Clear, Aquasafe (water conditioner) and Melafix.
A few days ago, I also treated the tank with Jungle's Parasite Clear as directed on the package (Remove carbon filter, add one tablet to each 10 U.S. gallons of aquarium water) but I used 1/2 a tablet instead of a full one. It says treatment can be repeated up to 2x with 48 hours between and a 25% water change (which I did, completing one full tablet). The ingredients include: praziquantel, diflubenzuron, metronidazole, and acriflavine. I also added a teaspoon of Melafix to the tank a couple days as well because I noticed a couple boo boos on his belly.
<<Is his stomach sunken in? Is he eating and pooing?>>

The aquarium was up for a month before Puffy was introduced to the tank. I cycled the tank with 2 Mystery Snails and 3 African Dwarf Frogs which were all removed from the tank before Puffy was introduced. The Aquasafe also said that it introduces healthy bacteria to the tank as well as neutralizing potential chemicals. On a side note, the frogs died from what I believed was chytrid, a disease that does not harm fish and only affects frogs. That's pretty much all the background info I can think of!
<<Did you monitor the cycle with the strips? Did you get the spike in the ammonia and etc?>>

He currently has ich which I have been treating for about a week now but new cysts are still appearing. I currently have the tank at 80 degrees and I have 2 tablespoons of salt for every 5 gallons. The old cysts are still there and 2 new ones appeared today. The infestation isn't super bad but it isnt exactly pleasant either! Also, I've been conflicted on ip. After I had him for a couple of days, I noticed white chunks of poo at the bottom of the tank. Initially, I thought it was ip but after I looked at the pictures of white poo in the sticky in the general discussion and considering that I overfed him the day before, I decided that it was most likely undigested shrimp. I did, however, soak a piece of shrimp in Jungle Parasite Clear which he ate happily. His poo was black and normal the day after. I added the half tablet in order to help with the ich as well. On the other hand, today, I found whitish/orangish poo on the bottom of the tank that did resemble the poo in the pictures.
<<I have noticed that puffers, especially fahaka poo can change color depending on the diet. If he is round and eating happily without issue I doubt it could be internal parasites.>>

Puffy's overall behavior hasn't really changed. He's still acting the same as the first day I got him, extremely curious and pretty active (with the exception of several lazy hours once in a while after I accidentally overfeed him). His color was extremely dark a couple days ago as well. It's back to normal now though.

So to sum it all up, my questions are: (I figured it'd be easier to list them rather than including them in all that!)
I've heard that Jungle Parasite Clear is light sensitive. Is this true? <<Yes. Leaving the lights down during treatment can help kill off parasites and keep the product from weakening.>>
Has anyone used this treatment before and does it work well?<<I have always used Gel-tek products.>>
Is it normal for ich cysts to still appear even though I've been doing treatment?<<If you have not been removing them from the bottom of the tank then yes.>>
If Puffy poops stringy whitish/orangish stuff, does it mean he has already flushed out the ip or is it still affecting him?
Is it possible that the grocery store shrimp is giving him ip? (I've keep it frozen and feed it to him raw after thawing it in tank water.) <<Diet can affect color, IME>>
What causes the color change and why does he do it?<<All manner of things, excitement, stress, etc. It's like a mood indicator.>>
Is there anything else I can do to help him and heal him faster?<<Bigger and more frequent water changes and getting a bigger tank asap.>>

I'm sorry if these are all dumb questions! I'm totally new to all this. I plan on doing another 50% wc tonight and a gravel vac. I just want Puffy to be healthy! Thanks guys!

Unfortunately, I don't have the API master test kit so I can't give any specific numbers but I tested the water with the Jungle test strips and everything is ideal and in the right range. (I plan on getting the API kit soon too.)

Sorry I'm not familiar with the test strips. Do they have a number range or is it just a color range? Get the liquid test kits asap even if you have to buy one a week. I would start with buying the amm. first then nitrite then nitrate and last ph.

I

have been feeding him a mix of shrimp from the grocery store (cut up into small pieces) and bloodworms with vitamins/nutrients added to it. I also currently have pond snails and ghost shrimp in qt tanks I plan on feeding him soon.

Sounds good. You can also look at the feeding article and try more things like crabs, scallops mussel's clams etc.

I

do a 50% water change every 2 or 3 days. The things added to the water are aquarium salt, Parasite Clear, Aquasafe (water conditioner) and Melafix.

If you are treating for ich all you really need is aquarium salt and a heater.

A few days ago, I also treated the tank with Jungle's Parasite Clear as directed on the package (Remove carbon filter, add one tablet to each 10 U.S. gallons of aquarium water) but I used 1/2 a tablet instead of a full one.

You should never use a half dose. The parasite can become immune to the medication and then become useless for treatment.

It says treatment can be repeated up to 2x with 48 hours between and a 25% water change (which I did, completing one full tablet). The ingredients include: praziquantel, diflubenzuron, metronidazole, and acriflavine.

Excellent keep up the treatment for 14 days.

I also added a teaspoon of Melafix to the tank a couple days as well because I noticed a couple boo boos on his belly.

Good choice. Always keep Melafix and pimafix on hand for emergencies.

The aquarium was up for a month before Puffy was introduced to the tank. I cycled the tank with 2 Mystery Snails and 3 African Dwarf Frogs which were all removed from the tank before Puffy was introduced.

This dosen't make the aquarium cycled. Did you test for amm., nitrite and nitrate? Once amm., nitite are 0 and nitate starts to have a reading the tank is cycled. The best way to cycle a tank for a puffer is with pure ammonia or using a cycle product such as tetra safestart, dr. tims or bio spria. Everything else is dead bacteria in a bottle. Be sure to test your water often. You may have a mini cycle or another cycle going on in your tank.

The Aquasafe also said that it introduces healthy bacteria to the tank as well as neutralizing potential chemicals. On a side note, the frogs died from what I believed was chytrid, a disease that does not harm fish and only affects frogs. That's pretty much all the background info I can think of!

The frogs could have died for ammonia also. Can't be sure unless you know excatly what your water test were.

He currently has ich which I have been treating for about a week now but new cysts are still appearing. I currently have the tank at 80 degrees and I have 2 tablespoons of salt for every 5 gallons. The old cysts are still there and 2 new ones appeared today. The infestation isn't super bad but it isnt exactly pleasant either!

You need to raise the temp up to 86 degrees. All you need is one tablespoon of salt for every 5 gallons. Keep the temp at 86 for one month. Replace the salt at every water change. If you do a 50% water change on a 10 gallon add back 1 tablespoon of salt. I just did this with Annabelle, her temp is now back down to 76 and there are no signs of ich. You might want to also add a couple of air stones to the tank. Once you raise the temp that high you will have less oxygen for your fish. Adding an airstone or a couple of airstones will put oxygen back in the water.

Also, I've been conflicted on ip. After I had him for a couple of days, I noticed white chunks of poo at the bottom of the tank. Initially, I thought it was ip but after I looked at the pictures of white poo in the sticky in the general discussion and considering that I overfed him the day before, I decided that it was most likely undigested shrimp. I did, however, soak a piece of shrimp in Jungle Parasite Clear which he ate happily. His poo was black and normal the day after. I added the half tablet in order to help with the ich as well. On the other hand, today, I found whitish/orangish poo on the bottom of the tank that did resemble the poo in the pictures.

When you treat for IP's you need to keep up the treatment for no less than 3 days. I personally would treat for 5 days.

Puffy's overall behavior hasn't really changed. He's still acting the same as the first day I got him, extremely curious and pretty active (with the exception of several lazy hours once in a while after I accidentally overfeed him). His color was extremely dark a couple days ago as well. It's back to normal now though.

Sounds like a happy puffer. Now let's work on the ich and the ip's and make him a healthy puffer.

So to sum it all up, my questions are: (I figured it'd be easier to list them rather than including them in all that!)
I've heard that Jungle Parasite Clear is light sensitive. Is this true?

Yes it is. But that has more to do with experation wise. I believe it will expire sooner if it's left in a well lighted area.

Has anyone used this treatment before and does it work well?

I have seen where some folks have used this treatment for ip's and it has worked well.

Is it normal for ich cysts to still appear even though I've been doing treatment?

I guess it could. But it seems like it shouldn't. Although Elvis still had cysts spots when I started to treat him. Annabelle's spot's went away almost immediately. I guess it really depends on the treatment. I'm not 100% on this one. Maybe I should let one of the pro's answer that question.

If Puffy poops stringy whitish/orangish stuff, does it mean he has already flushed out the ip or is it still affecting him?

No it dosen't mean it's over. I would keep treating for at least 5 days. Watch for pooh and make sure it's black. Once you see black pooh then it's over. Keep an eye on the puffer to make sure he dosen't get ip's again.

Is it possible that the grocery store shrimp is giving him ip? (I've keep it frozen and feed it to him raw after thawing it in tank water.)

If you are freezing the food before feeding then no it's not possible. But it is possible for ip's to live in the substrate. Later it could reinfest the puffer. It's very important to treat the puffer and vaccum the gravel to get any dying ip's or ip's that aren't dead that he puffer has passed.

What causes the color change and why does he do it?

The color change can be called "Attitude". They change colors when they are happy, sleepy, scared, mad, sick etc. You will learn all their moods and then you can tell by their reactions and color what they are trying to tell you. It's totally normal.

Is there anything else I can do to help him and heal him faster?

Raise the temp to 86 add an air store and keep salt in the tank for 30 days. After 30 days start lowering the temp.

I'm sorry if these are all dumb questions! I'm totally new to all this. I plan on doing another 50% wc tonight and a gravel vac. I just want Puffy to be healthy! Thanks guys!

There are no stupid questions. How else are you going to learn.

Oh wow. Thanks for all the info guys! I'm pretty sure the tank is completely cycled. I had the first froggy in there for almost a month and then I decided to add another couple from petsmart w/o qt them and they both died first and then my first frog started acting up. Also, the we took a sample of the water in to petsmart to get it tested (otherwise they dont give refunds) and they told me that it was perfectly fine for them as well. I have definitely learned my lesson about qt though. Anyways, I test my tank every couple of days now and I have never noticed anything other than perfect. The strips only have colors that you match it up to and from what the colors indicate, the water condition is absolutely ideal. My puffer's tummy looks absolutely fine and he eats everything he can find. I'm pretty consistent with vacs and I do a water change about every 2 days. I'll put in a full tablet of the medication tonight after a wc. Thanks so much guys!

One more question. Is there some sort of proper way to do a wc and vac? Im doing one right now and Puffy seems soo angry and annoyed with me!

They get annoyed because you are in their space. Some get used to it over time and some just plot on biting you when you aren't looking.

Yeap, Elvis will avoid the vac like the plague. Annabelle will attack it like it's going to kill her. It's all in the attitude.

Haha. Thanks guys! I can totally see why Puffers are the best! Your guys's sound absolutely adorable. It's great that they have so much personality as well!

Puffy turned super dark and started to follow the vac around. I'm honestly super scared of them biting, after seeing them eat... *shudder* I wouldn't like to imagine my hand it that position! I have the lights off right now for the medication and I can see him in there wondering, "where's my light?!" His belly looks a little more sunken in than before so I'll be keeping the ip treatment up. I'll feed him right after this!

So anyways, good news! I just signed the lease on my apartment so that means bigger and better tank coming very soon! I'm gonna start getting provisions for it. Do you guys have any recommendations? (Should I move this to the general discussion? lol) Right now, I plan on getting natural colored gravel and rocks. I have some driftwood and I plan on planting the tank as well. In my current tank, I have a sunken ship decor which Puffy loves swimming through and resting on so I'm trying to think of some way to recreate that so he'll be able to do the same even when he's bigger and older.

katty wrote:Thanks Spongebob! You've been so unbelievably helpful. You're the best!

Lol
thank you. and ur welcome

I have found that with Fahakas that they prefer sand so they can burrow. When I got Kaiser initially he had aragonite in his tank. When I moved him to a different tank I added play sand which he loves. I wanted to create a biotope atmosphere for him and introduced some more driftwood and some rocks and plants. The plants didn't work out well as I discovered he has a taste for anything living so I added some more stone. Some Fahakas tolerate plants really well though and the only way to find out is to give it a shot.

Thanks for the advice! I'm really interested in creating the most natural habitat for him. Since I'll be getting such a big tank, I think I'll go ahead and add gravel, sand, pebbles for a variety. I really hope Puffy wont eat all the plants. I think they're really pretty, on top of being good for the aquarium. I know he likes to hide out at the bottom of the fake plants I have in the tank right now so that gives me a little hope. If you dont mind me asking, how big is your puffer?

When I got him he was about 2 inches long...now he is a good 9 inches.

That's so neat! Yeah, mine's at 2 inches right now. Do you think yours if fully grown?