The Puffer Forum

Iwas treating my Fahaka for IPs. I used prazipro at regular dose. It has been about 24 hours and now his anus looks swollen other than that it seems to be acting fine. Do I need to be concerned also his feces is still white but more stringy than before. Someone please help.

Don't worry! It takes more than twenty-four hours to deworm! The increased stringiness is a sign that the worms are dying off, and he's now pooping them out. This is a good sign.

A swollen anus is just a normal part of the process, not always present, but often.

Welcome to the forum!

thank you I have never seen this issue with prazi pro on any other fish. He also seems very sluggish I was just very nervous.

Are there red worms around the anus area? I ask because Annabelle had this and her anus was extremely swollen. Click on this link and scroll down for pictures.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=15849&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=315

It was that swollen but I did not see the worms like that. I got home from work today at 6pm, and my girlfriend told me he has not moved all day. When I went up to the tank he came out briefly than went back to his cave I did a 30-40% water change before introducing the prazipro, I'm wondering if I should do another water change.

Is this day 2 of the treatment? If it is you need to do one more day of treatment then do a large water change. Annabelle did the same thing when I treated her with prazipro. She sulked, she wouldn't eat and she made me sick with worry. After treatment it took her over a week for her to start eating again. Do you have any airstones in the tank? Sometimes the meds will bring the oxygen level down. If you don't have any in there I would add some just to be safe.

Btw: it took about 2-3 weeks for the anus swelling to go down.

thanks for the info this seems to be completely different than any other fish I have had to medicate. Also if you didn't give me that info I would have had a heart attack but I will just continue to keep a close eye.

edmlfc1 is our resident expert in treating puffers with such things. She has brougnt her fahaka back from certain death & did a ton of research on this very same problem you are having.

I'd just like to thank everyone and this site for being so helpful. I did a big wc yesterday and have been keeping a close eye on him. Although he's still not eating he is coming out more. Had it not have been for this site I would have had a heart attack by now. Hopefully he will start eating soon.

It's a normal thing for them to stop eating after using prazipro. Try to feed him a little each day or even a couple of times a day. If he dosen't eat take the food out then try again later. Eventually he will become a little piggy begging for food.

FINALLY!!!! My Fahaka ate last night. What was really funny about the whole thing was that while he was eating he kept looking at me like, "This doesn't mean we're friends" as soon as he was done he was done he faced the back of the tank and started to sulk again but for me thats a big sign of improvement. Once again thank you, pretty much happened just as you said it would.

You gotta love a puffer's attitude! Glad to hear he's eating!

I have had many different fish, but I have never seen fish with such personalities. Puffers are incredible.

Good to hear he's eating.