The Puffer Forum

I don't know what to do.

During the storm two nights ago, the GFCI protector evidently tripped, effectively shutting down everything in the tank: filters, lights, skimmer....and heater.

I didn't know it until just now -- my husband normally feeds the puffer, and last night was a no-food night. He didn't realize that the lights were off earlier than they should have been.

The tank is cold. Not cool, but actually cold -- I am guessing the tank temp is in the mid 60s, and we try to keep it at 78.

The puffer is lying on its side, barely alive. We are bailing back and forth with heated saltwater to slowly get the tank temperature up. But we don't know if the puff is going to make it.

Is there anything else we can do?


...After this, if he makes it, I am putting 2 heaters in the tank: one on each power strip, with the power strips going to two different outlets.

How about boiling water and pouring it into a sandwich bag and floating that in the tank? That way the heat will slowly disperse.

Poor guy, hope he makes it.

Thanks, I'll try that.

We now have 3 heaters in the tank. Temp just hit 70. His dorsal fin is moving. Husband is staying with him & talking to him, which is visibly helping.

He's not dead--his metabolism is just very slowed, including his breathing. Don't raise the temp too fast. Let the heater do it normally.

<turns off teapot>
My husband is admitting that it's still really difficult to tell if the fish movement he's seeing is just from water movement of the fish's body, or if the fish is actually moving....


UPDATE, 10:25:
Husband says the puffer yawned! :woot:

We'll keep checking on him....

He's still on his side. I think I saw his side move like he was breathing, but I'm just not sure.

Add an airstone.

He didn't make it.

My guess is lack of oxygen, not the cold.

sorry to hear of your loss

That sucks. I lost my two Gsps recently I feel your loss as well.

goby1kenobi wrote:He didn't make it.

Oh my, I'm so sorry. that makes me really sad. U know what I was thinking about investing in? One of those little DieHard batteries for jumpstarting cars. they come with DC and AC outlets I believe. It says they will power electronics for like 50 HOURS! THat way you can plug in your powerstrip into that and it'll power the basic needs of your tank until the power comes back on.

here's the link to this nifty little thing http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02871988000P
I dunno about you guys but that definitely sounds a lot better than a generator or dead aquariums lol!