The Puffer Forum

First off my Fahaka Puffer or the now called "Nile Puffer" is acting funny. He has heavy breathing or panting...hasn't been eating much if at all. He has pooped 3 times in the past few days so I don't believe he is backed up. I don't know if it would be from the meal worms that my friend fed him since it was his fish before it became mine. There are not any unusual changes in the tank. Every month when I break it down to change carbon and service filter I make sure I put everything back to help ease stress off of him. But so far I have been doing 50% water changes every 2-3 weeks and putting in new water and of course putting the stuff (can't recall name off top of head) that neutralizes the chlorine.
But here are the "stats"
40G Breeder tank
Fluval T1000 filter (I believe)
Argonaut substrate
Regular decor (silk/plastic plants, rock formations, ect....)
Temp is about 75 degrees F
WATER TEST
Nitrate - ~15
Nitrite - .3ish
Total Hardness - `75ish
Alkalinity - ~150
pH - `7.0

Tank makes consist of a Bala Shark, African Cichlid, 2 Cory Catfish, Dinosaur Bichir, Chinese Algae Eater, and The Fahaka "Sol"

Not quite sure whats wrong, but would like some insight getting kind of worried. I did test water yesterday came up high pH so I did a 50% water change and got pH correct tablets by Tetra and put 4 in the tank so I am hoping he perks up soon!

First off 50% minimum weekly water changes are essential in a puffer tank. But for now I would do that daily as your tank seems to not be cycled. 120 gal min for a single fahaka is minimum! And if you like your other fish I would move them as they will get killed. First off you need to purchase a much bigger tank.

+1 to bertie's comments.

Tanks are not to be"broken down" for maintenance - that can endanger the biofilter and the fish. Do you have an ammonia test?

Ammonia and nitrite should always be undetectable in an occupied tank. If you detect it, do water changes until you cannot read either anymore.

Also it's not usually wise to try and alter the ph unless you are drastically off,

Never remove all your filter sponge as you'll just uncycle your tank!

Well he is only but 3 inches long to start. Next week comes new tank once I get the money gathered up. I have a 225Gal getting resealed. Also with that said the tank has been cycled and been running for over 3months at this point in time. I guess by what I mean by service is rinsing the floss pad changing carbon and getting the damn algae out of the hoses since those cheap hoses do seem to grow a lot more algae. When I took my water to PetCo my pH was almost to 8 it was in the 7.8 area I am going to do another test here in a bit once I get some coffee in me. I will post the result. Also with the whole community tank thing the Fahaka seems to be fine for the most part, but I don't doubt his ability to mutilate everything in the tank.

There are a few questions that still need answering, look at the ones in red, above.

Mealworms have a hard skin (chiton) that is undigestable. Try live wiggling Earthworms, my fahaka could never resist them.

Just tested water again waiting for colors to show up.
Nitrate ~20
Nitrite 0
Water Hardness 200 at least hard water problems with tap in AZ
Alkalinity ~150
pH ~7.0

Any tips to help with the hard water? I have been putting the neutralizing substance in the water with every water change.

Also when I saw him he seemed to perk up a bit and come towards me. Since I am I guess his new owner since my buddy couldn't afford to keep him I am new and really enjoy the hobby! Thanks for all your help by the way and the quick replies!

Ammonia? Why is your pH so low? What's the pH of your tap water? With aragonite substrate, it should be closer to 8. A fahaka's pH is best kept steady at neutral, no need usually, for aragonite, which is why I'm a bit concerned about yours.

In Arizona water quality is non-existent
but here are the results to the tap water test
Nitrate ~5
Nitrite 0
Hardness 300
Alkalinity ~150
pH ~7.6

I couldn't tell you why my tank got so off wack. Could be water changes, but like I had stated before I am quite new to this and from what I have read it said 50% water change every 2-3 weeks, but every place you read its different yah know?

For Fahaka puffers, 50% weekly partials may not be enough, and are unlikely to be in a smaller than standard tank.

You will find that Fahakas are not community fish.

Fahakas do not have tankmates, they may have swimming food reserves.

If you wish, keep those fish in there. But you will discover the incompatibility with many dead fish.

Yeah well if you read around A LOT of places and websites will say that, but its only 97% are over the top aggressive so it is a possibility that ours could be sociable...slim chance but if the other fish come up dead...then I guess I lost 10$ in fish. Honestly he does perfectly fine with the other fish. Doesn't attack or nip fins at all and he has the power to kill any of the fish.

So did mine for a while,,,,,then went on a killing spree decimating all but a cae. Give it time. Death surrounds these killing machines. I have never heard of anyones fahaka living long term with fish and not killing anything,some tolerate certain fish but not advised

Filbert has been living with tank mates for 12 years. He has killed a few though... Others are as old as he is & much older.