The Puffer Forum

I'm not sure this is a hospital question, so I'll post here first.

My F8, 8Ball, hasn't been seen to eat in almost 2 weeks, but he's acting okay. He just always looks like he just ate. He's FAT! He always seems like he has is mouth open, too. His water levels are great- held out the 8 days I was gone and I just did a w/c two days ago, on top of that. I got him some fresh clams today, but they are in the freezer for a week or so. He's either a she and pregnant or...? lol (J/K about the pregnant. I know they don't get pregnant.)

Your description sounds extremely similar to a post I read about someone's GSP. Apparently, they were using pickling salt; I'm not sure what that is, but it created the exact same characteristics you're currently describing. The puffer always looks fat (round), hasn't eaten in an extended period of time, and its mouth is always open more so than usual.

I doubt it's that, but the resemblance is oddly similar.

Not unless lfs changed to selling pickeling salt. I get my salt from them in $1 bags- marine salt. This not eating is a new thing. He's always been fat, but it seems odd since I haven't seen him eat, is all.

Sounds like he's constipated. Try adding Epsom salt to the water 1 tbsp/10g & then add the same amount again the 2nd day, which will total 1 tbsp/5g.

Now he looks like he has white poop- could he have IPs (AGAIN!) but be constipated?

I've just gotten home from shopping- got 15 lbs of Instant Ocean marine salt. Woot! Won't run out for a while! Will have to run to get epsom salts. I can get that at a drug store, I assume.... (At least I got my pure ammonia!)

Adding the Epsom salt now. 3 tbsp since I have a 30-gal.

What are some of the causes of constipation?

He's floating like a balloon. He's still swimming okay and acting okay, but he'll just let himself go with the current and bonk into things. Its like he's a balloon.....

He couldn't need burped, could he??

my gsp is constantly fat to he is pooping and eating but he doesnt always eat everyday, he is very healthy though so maybe yours is just obese... stop feeding it fast food lol

He's just not doing well. He's trying to swim but he's just being pushed about in the current like a balloon in the wind. He bonks into the plants. He's trying hard to swim right and for the most part is. He's just not acting normal.

So I thought if he had air in him I'd try burping him. I took off the top of the tank and gently put my hand around him. He swam away faster than I thought he would but I put him in my hand again and no sooner had I done that than he bit me!! I let go and he swam away quickly. I think he may have semi-puffed, but it was hard to tell. I hope he won't be mad at me forever. I swear I didn't squeeze him or anything! He's at the surface with his mouth at the top. *shrug* I dunno how to figure him out. I guess I'll try the epsom salts tomorrow again and hope.

Is he gasping at the surface? Is there a reason he may have puffed with air that you need to burp him?

Dadof4 wrote:Is he gasping at the surface? Is there a reason he may have puffed with air that you need to burp him?

Yes he is gasping at the surface sometimes. He just let himself be sucked against the fan intake. Right now he's on the bottom text to a plant- fins moving and looking okay except that he's not swimming. I'm running my nitrites right now but its looking like its going to be zero. Temp is 80. Bubbler running. Yup- zero nitrites.

He's just laying there looking miserable. I did the 2nd dose of magnesium sulfate just now.

He was just floating upside down at the surface. I tried to do the burping and he didn't bite me. When I let go he can't right himself! Now he's in a plant nose down.

Turn out the lights, keep the room quiet, and leave him alone.