The Puffer Forum

Hello,
It has been a long time since I have posted on here. This is Pazuzu, my T. Abei.

This developed in the last 2 days. I did a water change 3 days ago and fed him a chopped nightcrawler. Yesterday I dropped in a cube of bloodworms but honestly I did not look at him thoroughly enough to know how his mouth looked. Today I went into my pet room and this is what I saw. It looks like mouth rot or cottonmouth, and there is a chunk of flesh inside his mouth that he is chewing on.



Pazuzu is in a 20 gallon long,
Temp is 81deg. I think that it may be too hot. I am going to unplug his heater, traditionally he is used to 76-78deg. but I moved him into my reptile room, where the ambient temperature is around 80 deg during the day.
I do not have a water test kit, but I do a 25-50% water change every week. He is due for one tomorrow, but I will do one tonight unless otherwise suggested.

Does anybody know what I am dealing with here? How should I proceed? I am always weary of using meds on puffers...

Any help would be greatly appreciated.. Thank you.
Rob

Please post answers to every question above in red.

Alright, I am going to go get a water test kit, PP.

20 gallon- No other inhabitants
I use Prime with every water change- which is weekly. I feed 4-5 times a week. I switch between nightcrawlers, blood worms, snails, and ghost shrimp.
Technically the week is 3 weeks old- I recently moved to a new city. The tank was broken down for a few hours (i only moved 20 miles) but I kept the gravel in tank water and I transferred 5 gallons of tank water.

Ammonia- <.25
Nitrates- 20
Nitrites-0
pH 7.0

The water in Seattle is slightly harder and more alkaline than the water I used at my old place North of here, but not drastically different.

I will do a partial water change ~25% to try and reduce the ammonia and nitrates.

i would do water changes until ammonia is at 0

Someone with more experience about the healing will advise on how to help with the mouth issue

The ammonia may be due to ammonia present in the tap water, and if the reading is <.25ppm, depending on the test kit could mean 0. I do agree that you need a water change since your nitrates are at 20. Keep them below 20. I try to keep mine below 5, but am crazy about water changes.

There was a similar thread that talks about how to medicate properly. Get what you can and start treating immediately as this can quickly be fatal depending on the strain of what you have.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=28099&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... white+lips

Please keep us updated.

Please answer ALL the Qs above in red. It's curious that you have no nitrate.

Do a 50% WC & add Melafix & Pimafix.

Nitrates are at 20

PufferPunk, perhaps you missed my post where I outlined my tank parameters? Nitrate are at 20. Nitrites are at 0, maybe that is what you meant? Otherwise I do not know what questions I have failed to answer.

The tank has matured, it has been running consistantly w/o any 100% water changes for about 4 years. I just recently moved from a suburb to the city, but I left about 2 gallons of water in the bottom of the tank w/ the substrate, and transferred Pazuzu in a 5g bucket with tank water, and an additional 5g bucket of tank water. I understand there is a good chance the move into a new city w new water probably added stress to him, and to the tank.

I was about 3 days late on his weekly water change last week, so he went about 10 days. This really drives the point home, water changes are important. The move has me a little scattered, otherwise I change the water every monday relgiously.

My pet store is closed now, I will pick up the meds tomorrow AM. Thank you for the advice, I will read the article Reaper posted and keep you all updated.

Thank you,
Rob

I'm sorry this is happening, I do hope he gets better soon.

Sorry, I need better glasses.

Alright folks, I just got home with my Pimafix, Melafix, and Maracyn
I am going to do another 50% water change, and then add my first full dose of Maracyn. I have a couple of questions.

1. Should I discontinue my water changes during my week of treatment? (5 days w/ Maracyn, 7 w/ Mela/Pimafix)

2. Should I use the full dose for all three meds? I am always weary of meds with Puffers..

3. How should I go about feeding him while he has the mouth sore, he still has his appetite. Continue as normal?

Thanks again for the advice, everyone.

1. Start with a heavy 75% change. Continue water changes. I would do 25%-50% daily water changes with the antibiotic. Someone else will hopefully confirm this. These will also remove some of the pathogens from the tank and help the puffer heal faster.
2. Make sure there's enough oxygen for the Mela/Pimafix. NEVER underdose with antibiotics as it can lead to pathogen immunity. Make sure to dose the full amount for the full time, always.
3. If he will still eat, then you are in good shape, just keep feeding him normally.

Always dose full doses. Personally, I'd start with the more natural ones.

Yes, do your regular water changes, having his bioload build up will only complicate his condition.
I really hope his mouth gets better soon!