The Puffer Forum

I just noticed that one of his gills is completely closed.
I don't know if it has been this way the entire time or just occurred.
He doesn't appear to be breathing out of this one gill at all. His other gill is working overtime.
What would cause this and how do I treat it?

The puffer just opened his gill again. I would assume the problem with the fish is his gill. what can I do?

Has he been handled recently? Is the fin nearest the gill moving as normal? The reason I ask is that when I trimmed my GSP teeth, I think I bent one of his pectoral fins the wrong way & for a couple of days, he held it clamped to his side & the gill didn't seem to move as much as the other side. I just treated the tank with melafix. He is doing fine now!

I have never handled my puffer. Also his side fin is functioning fine. I am thinking of putting him in qt and treating him with melafix. I am just unsure and don't want to cause more harm than good.

Someone on here has a video posted of their puffer (Stars and Stripes, I think) sucking his fin in to the gill and I have heard stories of them just closing gills off for no real reason. This could be a natural occurrence but keep an eye on him.

Fish sometimes use alternate gills--no worry.

I am pretty sure that my puffer has some sort of gill disease. I am treating with cupramine.

I've seen many arothrons breathe with only one gill.
I doubt cupramine is gonna do much