The Puffer Forum

Hi folks, just wondered if anyone could help me, my puffer has developed like bloodshot fins, can anyone tell me what might be causing this. Thanks

is he stressed at all?. bloodshot fins usually seen in goldfish from my experience .
clean tank thoroughly, vacuum ,water change add some aquarium salt and raise temp a bit
are his fins clamped? do they hug his body as opposed to normal flow of them.

**edit guessing this will be moved and the normal answer all red questions will be posted**

Bloodshot fins are signs of a bacterial infection. Please answer ALL the Qs above, in red.

OK folks i aint been ignoring ur answers and suggestions, i have been on the case trying to sort the problem out.
The problem i have is that i put a new piece of bogwood into my tank and unbeknown to me there was a bluey green algae attached to this bogwood, after long consultations with my lfs, we realised that the algae was the problem and that this algae attacks the gills of fish and as has happened can kill them. So i have added carbon to the filter and done another 33% water change, i know that it will take a little while to cure the problem but i am certainly on the right track. Before the treatment puffer was just buried at the bottom of the tank and would not feed, now after just 24hrs of treatment, the bloodshot fins are disappearing and he is up and swimming about, i am gonna feed him later to see if he's up to eating.
Apart from the algae bloom my water conditions are good i have checked myself and also taken a water sample to my lfs and he agreed that the water conditions where fine, the only thing he did suggest was that i heat my water a little bit as he said it was cold. my water temp is 70 and i personally think that that is fine for puffer, i have never had a water heater in his tank and at thaT TEMP DONT REALLY RECKON I NEED ONE.
Thanks for ur help and suggestions, they led me in the right direction and hopefully to a full cure for my dear puffer.
Thanks for all ur help folks its much appreciated.

Chopper01uk wrote: my water temp is 70 and i personally think that that is fine for puffer, i have never had a water heater in his tank and at thaT TEMP DONT REALLY RECKON I NEED ONE.

Well, seeing as they're listed at 74-80F I RECKON THAT YOU REALLY NEED A HEATER.

+1 to getting a heater glad you sorted out the issue with him. did you take any precautions when adding the bog wood such as boiling or baking?

Temperature swings, which happen naturally in most houses, are incredibly stressful and hurt the immune system; they must be controlled with some kind of device with a thermostat - either a heater or, for coldwater fish, a chiller. Aside from the swings, a low temperature will force his body to work harder for basic functions, leaving him with less energy to fight disease. Fahakas come from Egypt, a very warm country. Their bodies are suited to warmer climates.

I have never heard of algae attacking a fish's gills, and definitely not resulting in reddened fins.

Like I said, red, bloodshot fins are a definite sign of bacterial infection. Bacteria could have come from the bogwood. Infection probably set in due to lowered immune system, because of the tank being cold.

How large is his tank & how large is he? What is your normal water change schedule?

Definately a heater.. they love warm water, our mbu loves 83 he seems happiest when it's a little warm, but not too warm.

On a better note, you're on the right track so far & good to hear your puff is feeling better.
33% water change, pretty accurate lol how often do you do water changes?

Well thanks again for ur advice i will look into getting a heater, but actually checking my thermometer tonight its at 74f which is 23c and according to the puffer information on here they are fine between 23 and 26c, i know im at the bottom end of it so i will look into some heat for him.

As for the size of my tank, its 560 litres, which is ample size for him and he is approx 14 - 15 inches long.

33% water change lmao well thats a rough guide it was in between 1/4 and 1/2 the tank and i do a 25% water change weekly.
As far as the gill attacking algae i can't remember what it is called but i will find out and let you know.
I'm not saying that the algae caused the bloodshot fins but what i am saying is, it was the algae that was causing him to stress cause of whatever the algae was doing to him if ya get my drift.

Anyways i would like to add i have had my puffer approx 5 1/2 years he aint just a fish he's part of the family and i will do everything in my power to do the right thing by him.
I know i haven't posted on here for quite a long time and i don't want to sound like a newbie, he's been fine, and with one thing and another i drifted away from the sight but its great to know that i can still come on here and pluck ur ever so intelligent minds to help keep killer in tip top condition.

Cheers

Yeah, that four-degree swing isn't good. Definitely time for a heater.

Yes, I remember you & your fahaka. They don't remain "just fish" in our homes for long. They quickly earn their "family pet" title in our hearts! I am glad he's on the mend. If you really like that wood, there are ways to prepare it so it's safe for his tank.

Yeah i remember u2 PP, and as i said he is part of the family and it aint until somethin like this happens that you actually realise it, my missus n kids where well upset about him when he got ill, so u can just imagine the relief at home when we found out what the problem was.
As for the wood, no my friend that has gone in the bin, i know that i probably shoulda boiled it or something before i put it in there but to be honest with you i just plain forgot and just gave it a quick scrub down which as we know now wasn't and isn't the correct procedure..............lesson learnt.
Thanks again folks
u've been great

What did you scrub it down with?

LilGreenPuffer wrote:What did you scrub it down with?

Just a simple nailbrush LGP nothin abnormal like a brillo pad or anything lmao.