The Puffer Forum

Im not sure if this is actually sickness, but it was something I was curious about. I wanted to ask other F8 or brackish water puffer owners whether they've seen their fish do this? Occasionally my puffers 'cough'. Its not painful looking, but they puff out their lips and their mouth rounds out and it looks like they are trying to expel air, water, or something from their body, but their body poofs out slightly and has a spasm from belly to mouth. They will 'cough' in this way a few times, and then desist. They usually are in the act of swimming, or looking around, they dont act sick in any way. Ive never noticed them doing it when they have empty bellies, only sometime after they have eaten. The coughing really looks quite cute, but I dont want to make light of something thats possibly harming my puffer. Its just that pretty much anything they do looks cute. I wanted to get a professional opinion, and hear whether anyone has noticed this. Because Im concerned on the side that it might have something to do with my water or the food Im giving them. Please put my concerns at ease!

ph- 8.0
Ammonia- 0
Nitrite- 0
Nitrate- .5
SG- 1.004

30 gal. with 2 F8 puffers, (2 1/2" each) 6 bumblebee gobies, 3 (1") juvenile mollies
they eat pond snails, brine shrimp and bloodworms
50% WC a week 10% when needed and I add Prime and Instant Ocean marine salt (mixed seperately)
Made a 50% WC yesterday, vacuum, scrub because theres hair algae in there, and a black algae i havent identified growing on my decor
Aquarium has been up since January, cycled with fish in tank

do you need to mix prime and salt differently? i just add prime in with my salt and just let it sit...

That's fine but are you using a powerhead to mix the salt?

I'm not sure why you posted that in this thread?

not sure either saw it and got scared... but from what ive read coughing is normal..? haha

Thanks for the topic link, PP. I guess its kind of unconfirmed exactly WHY they do this coughing? It was my thought that perhaps when they cough like that they are trying to expel uneaten pieces of shell or food that they cant digest, only thing is Ive never seen them actually expel anything before. Sometimes they do this between feedings. Is it a 'yuck' action? Or a moodiness action? Its very curious to me.

HD PVR- if youre adding the water to the tank you should add Prime, it doesnt matter how you add it though it doesnt need to be mixed seperately or in a special way. salt does though!

yeah yeah yeah, well hopefully its nothing bad! if its not bad, and looks cute.... i would keep it

You don't have to add Prime to the tank, if you add it to the new water in the bucket.

So theres no known reason for the coughing in anyones experience? Thats all Im asking here. No one knows what this activity is related to?