The Puffer Forum

hi, new to puffers not to fish - got a 7 inch fahaka puffer from some one the other day, healthy, but with in a day of me taking him he developed some white splotches on his fin, they are now on 2 other fins, kind of a milky splotchy fungus. assuming fin rot. water paqrims are 78f 2ppm nitrates, 0 nitrites and nitrates. he is in there alone. ( temp 50 gallon long) how should i treat? i have on hand melafix, epsom salts, aquarium salt.....

thanks.

I'm not sure what you're using epsom salt for? AQ salt can be added 1 tbsp/10g. Also add Melafix & Pimafix. What size tank is he in?

finrot is usually a sign of stress / trauma.

Fungus is a totally different.

Any chance of getting a pic?

I'm not using epsom, I just listed what I have on hand.... Also I did mention he's in a temp 50g long.... I will try to get pics up...

You have stated nitrates 2ppm & nitrates 0. Assuming this is a typo? What is the ammonia reading & was this temporary tank housing any other stock before the fahaka? If so, what? & if not, how was the tank cycled? & yes, a picture would be great!

Oops ya a typo 0 ammonia. Yes this is an old, long time running and long ago cycled tank. It housed some tangs before moving them to one of my 120 gallons. Once my 100 gallon is free the fahaka will be moved there.

Then I think I would use the aquarium salt as PP has advised, along with melafix & pimafix & keep the water scrupulously clean. IME, finrot has always appeared as red, raggedy fins, rather than the white that you describe - so I would lean towards a fungal infection. Either way, as you know, nothing beats clean water as first aid treatment.

Tangs? They're SW fish. How was this tank cycled for FW? Please test the parameters again & post.

Lol, no, should have been more specific not sw tangs, tanganikan cichlids - tropheus from lake tanganika. Sorry lol