The Puffer Forum

Hi all,

First, tank parameters:

PH: 7.2
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: .5 ppm
Phosphates: around .75 ppm
Tank: Freshwater, 10-gallon, low-light, planted, established for one year
Puff: Carinotetraodon irrubesco (red-eyed red-tailed puffer)
Tank mates: four neon tetras
Feeding: Once a day, live blackworms

I have a flashing puff and need to know if they flash for many reasons or just one. I noticed a single salt-like speck on him yesterday but nothing today. However, he hasn't eaten in two days and is acting reclusive. I only noticed him flashing when he came out of his cave for a minute and saw me watching. He flashed twice.

Also, a couple of weeks after I got him I noticed a single salt-like speck that also disappeared after a day, but I treated him as Pufferpunk recommends for ich, and he responded well and was happy and healthy. Until a couple of days ago.

His belly doesn't look concave, but it doesn't look rounded. However, his sides look rounded. Could he be constipated? I did a 60% water change tonight with RO water and have put a tablespoon of aquarium salt in his tank. I haven't put the other tablespoon (2 tblsp per 10 gal) because I'm not sure if I should try epsom salts.

I am also dosing him with Herbtana, which he has reacted well to in the past but right now is still acting puny. Maybe it's too soon to tell.

To summarize: He hasn't eaten in two days. He's being reclusive. He flashed twice that I've noticed. Sides look rounded but belly is flat. Other tank mates are doing fine. I did 60% water change tonight and put in 1 tblsp aquarium salt. Holding off on other tblsp until I know if I should try Epsom salts. Treating with Herbtana since yesterday.

Constipated? Ich? Something else?

Thanks for any insight and advice you can give me...

epsom salt wouldnt hurt to try, if he is constipated it will help. If he's not I dont think it could do any damage

If he's still flashing then he probably still has ich. It is primarily a gill parasite so just because we can't see them doesn't mean they aren't there. I would treat for ich again. If he is constipated you can add epsom salt to the water, it won't hurt to try it.

Are you putting straight RO in the water? If so that isn't good for the fish. You can mix it with tap water to get the desired water hardness but you shouldn't do straight RO.

Thanks to both of you. How much Epsom salt do I put in? It's a 10-gallon tank and it already has 1 TBL of aquarium salt in it.

I am using straight RO water. I had no idea it wasn't good for the fish. Is 7.2 too low for PH? I do have some minerals I can put in, Seachem Equilibrium.

Im fairly sure its 1 tbl per 5 gals, but wait for someone else to chime in

That sounds about right to me too.

Do a water change with treated tap water (use a dechlorinator). Then treat for ich and put in the epsom salt for constipation. Then get reading up on necessary tank size and water conditions