The Puffer Forum

Hi everybody,

New guy here. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Attached is a picture of Biscuit, my ailing puffer. I noticed that his throat was a little swollen 6 days ago. 5 days ago he nibbled at some food, but did not eat any. He (she?) has not attempted to eat since, most unusual behavior for Biscuit. Since that time the swelling in his throat has grown to about 5x the size it was when I first noticed it and appears to continue to grow. The lack of food is starting to show. 2 days ago I tried "burping" him to dislodge any foreign objects. Surprisingly he welcomed the interaction, swam right into my hand like he knew I was trying to help. When I stroked the swollen spot it didn't feel like coral or shell, it felt fibrous, like it was attached. Nothing was evacuated. I don't know what else to do, and appeal for any help you may have to offer. He's been in the tank for 2.5 years, a happy, healthy and hearty eater. The lump is clearly visible in the photo. His diet includes krill, silversides, mysis, clams, snails, and squid.

I have a fish only 60 gallon tank with a Fluval canister filter, waterfall filter, and CCR Bakpak protein skimmer. Current inhabitants include a 2 foot snowflake moray eel, a 7 year old damsel, and Biscuit. Tank was cycled 13 years ago. I draw my salt water from Scripps pier, through their filtration tanks, and bring the salinity down by mixing it with RO'd fresh water. No recent changes.


I do bi-weekly water changes and the tank has been established for 13 years. I just tested the water with the following results:

NO2 = 0.3 ppm
ammonia = 0 ppm
pH = 8.1
SG = 1.022

If I left anything out please ask. Thank you for your time and consideration. I've gotta say I love this little guy.

Mike

Oh the poor poor baby.
It may be that it is a "thyroidal" (Chromaffin tissue) tumor. These can often be treated with administration of iodine through feeding. Have you ever given him vitamins in the past? It could also be a bacterial infection. I am going to pass this thread to Corvus and see what he thinks about it.

I just remembered that you said he wasn't eating so maybe Corvus can suggest a different way to administer iodine. I am hoping you won't have to tube feed.

thanks Yunachin, the growth has swollen so quickly that I didn't think it could be a tumor. But I also have no experience with them. Judging by his response to my attempted "burping" tube-feeding might not be too bad.

Again, thanks for your input, I appreciate it.
Mike

You are welcome.
It could be bacterial like I said. I did send a PM to Corvus so he will respond I am sure as soon as he logs on. He is very knowledgeable and should be able to help a great deal. We will save his little cute face! I have a soft spot for fugus.

Did you feed vitamins in the past, what and how often?

I agree, it has grown too fast for a thyroidal tumor.
A bacterial infection (or maybe parasites, e.g. nematodes, although the location of the swelling is not very typical) is more probable.
I'd treat in a hospital tank with an antibiotic (for gram negative bacteria, Maracyn 2) and an antithelmic (depends much on your location what is available).
If no cycled hospital tank is available the treatment can be done as medical baths with 10-20times usual concentrations for 30 min - 1 hour.

Given how fast it grew this does not look good, but I do wish you luck.

Hi Corvus, and thank you very much for your help. I've never given any vitamins, just relied on a varied diet.

I have no hospital tank available so I will start treatments with baths tomorrow. Should I do just one a day? Ill see what antithelmic(s) are available, and I'm also going to google that when done typing here .

BTW, where in Germany are you? Just curious - my girlfriend is German - we'll be spending most of the summer in Hannover.

Thanks again for responding, I'll update this thread with (hopefully) good news.

Mike

I'd do them once a day.
Near Heidelberg right now.
Good luck!

Oh my, I have nothing much to add as far as advice, but I wish you luck. Its a beautiful puffer you have there.

Keep us updated.

Thanks everybody, for both the advice and well-wishes. I've begun treatment per Corvus's advice and will keep you updated.

Mike

Good luck!

what type of puffer is he? kinda looks like a milk-spotted?

That is a Takifugu poecilonotus.

A Chelonodon sp. in my opinion.
Takifugu poecilonotus has large spots with small spots in between, this one only has large spots like a Chelonodon sp.

Ah yes, I do see that now.