The Puffer Forum

Hey so one of my dps is swimming all lopsided and keeps flipping upside down and stuff. I think he might have taken in some air but struggles to much when i try to burp him. What should I do? Also do you think its air?

It could be air, and possibly constipation? Burping is a scary thing. I personally think the best way is to gently massage the tummy while holding the tail. jerking the fish around just isn't me. So, grab him by the tail of course and then gently rub his tummy. he will struggle at first but he will probably calm down.

If you think it could be constipation try Epsom salt.

Best of luck!

Not behaviour I have ever experienced does he look semi enflated if so burp if not do not stress this fish more and give more details

He didn't make it.. I am testing the water right now for anything chemical that may have kiled him. The other two puffers seem fine though..

Sorry just bad luck I reckon

what do you think it was that killed it? anyone have any ideas?

Sorry to hear that. He may have been sick from the start.

I've never had luck with fish ever.
Just ran all the tests everything is perfect.

Perhaps when you bought him he already had a sickness that you just couldn't see.

Thanks for the help and condolences. The only thing that makes me feel a little better is that the two remaining puffers get 10g of space each now, and seem to be enjoying it.

1 more thing, could a subwoofer have been a factor in his death? I just recently picked up a speaker system and have been playing it a lot. But why would it only affect 1 fish?

I think they may find it annoying but if they aren't darting around all over the place when you play it then I don't think its a factor to your fish's death.

I don't think that's the problem. I know several people with loud surround systems and fish in the same room and they're fine. Do you think perhaps the other puffers picked at him? They sometimes do it when you're not looking.

Me and my roommate were talking last night and ya that was the conclusion we came to too. He was the slowest to establish a territory and so he got chased a lot = [
I guess in hindsight I should have just got him a separate 5g. But I really wanted to get them to all live happily in the same tank = /

In other happier news, I think the 2 remaining puffers are really enjoying their 10g of space. I can't prove it but I swear 1 of them grew a few mm over last night! the puffer looks just a little bit longer now then it did yesterday. Hm go figure.