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constipated mbu!!
Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 4:25 am
by matt willis
hello i was wondering what i can give my mbu puffer to relieve constipation!! i know you can give epsom salts dut not sure of dosage?? my tank is 800lts.
he has a habit of swallowing mussells in there shells whole!
Re: constipated mbu!!
Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 4:30 am
by J-P
800L = 211 US gallons ...
kind of small for a MBU
I am sure you will get an epsom salt ratio soon
Re: constipated mbu!!
Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 4:41 am
by J-P
Nick wrote:The only cure I know of is a Mbu puffer with a complete 1,200 US gallon setup. This is VERY uncommon, however: realize, that typically, you will progress to own many puffers of the fresh and brackish waters, then, realizing one or more of your brackish puffers thrive equally well or better at full marine, take the salt water plunge. At that point, you are beyond help, and will likely be keeping at least one puffer for the rest of your life. Unfortunately there is not treatment for this condition, however, many manage to lead rich and fulfilling lives WITH a puffer addiction, so all hope is NOT lost.
Re: constipated mbu!!
Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 4:49 am
by Nick
For constipation, 1 tbsp Epsom salt/10g (FW) or 5g (BW).
by Pufferpunk
Re: constipated mbu!!
Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 5:48 am
by matt willis
please note !! i know this is a bit small at the minute but it is a holding tank until my new tank is built into my living room. im not being defensive but i would not take on something that i could not house properly!!
as it is i rescued it from a 500 lts tank that it had lived in for 9years so i think it is getting better treated
Re: constipated mbu!!
Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 5:57 am
by J-P
congrats matt
MBU are beautiful and need special care
You'll get any help you need from the forum here
Re: constipated mbu!!
Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 7:50 am
by matt willis
thank you .
yes they are a beautiful fish and we are aware that they are a specialist fish which is why we thought about getting a mbu for 4years before we did. we also wanted to rescue and give it a better chance in life.ive kept fish for 20 years now and only had one problem with disease when i first started out.
when we rescued puff he had spent 9years in a 5x18x18 tank and he could not turn around for the last two years. he has a bent spine where he was cramped whilst trying to grow a he had only ever seen a cockle and nothing else.
we cannot wait to get his bigger tank built into our living room for him
Re: constipated mbu!!
Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 11:40 am
by Pufferpunk
Poor fella! Glad you're doing right by him.
Re: constipated mbu!!
Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 11:45 am
by Dadof4
Sounds like he'll have an awesome home when all is said and done! We see so many people come here with the "my MBU is looking a little off ad he's not moving much. He's 10 inches and I have him in a 50 gallon tank and my water parameters are fine" stories that we jump on the tank size automatically. Glad he's getting a new home!
Re: constipated mbu!!
Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 11:49 am
by Pufferpunk
If he's really stunted & bent, then maybe all he'll need is a 500g.
Re: constipated mbu!!
Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 6:36 pm
by matt willis
how long does the epsom salts take to work?? i put them in this afternoon , how often do i dose with them?
he has not gone to toilet since thursday and hasnt eaten today
am i a over protective parent !!!!
Re: constipated mbu!!
Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 1:35 am
by Pufferpunk
You dose 1x, it doesn't go anywhere, like meds. I'm not sure how long it takes, I've never needed to use it.
Re: constipated mbu!!
Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 12:01 pm
by Dadof4
It can take a while 4-5 days for it to work. It's like any gentile laxative in humans, not an over night process. He should become a Super Pooper in a while.
Re: constipated mbu!!
Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 3:29 am
by matt willis
thank you for replying and sorry if i caused offence writing in capital letters.
he is looking sorry for himself today and he still hasnt passed anything or eaten
Re: constipated mbu!!
Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 11:57 am
by Pufferpunk
How much Epsom salt did you add?