The Puffer Forum

SO.... I have 2 GSPs in a 55 gal at a salinity of 1.014. I top off water as it evaporates, and once every month or so I may do a 20% water change. I don't have a water test kit, except a 3 year old freshwater one, sorry The tank has been set up for 18 months, and the two puffers have been living together for a year. They're fed live and frozen foods and are generally in good health.
However, in the last couple of weeks I think one has been picking on the other. I notice nipped fins once in a while, which prompts me to do a water change, add some "stress coat" and turn off the lights (just letting the natural light in the room illuminate the tank) and stuff them... which decreases their activity and gives the puffer time to heal. His/her fins have grown back a few times with this regimen. But this time... it's worse. I'm guessing this is the result of bullying? Noticed this about a week ago, but it hasn't improved with my usual treatment. It hasn't really worsened, either. His dorsal and caudal fin have rot symptoms.. with the veins being visible. And on his body, there are chunks out of his skin. These are white and grey and concave in appearance. My question for you guys is: what is the best treatment??? I have access to antibiotics because I work at a vet. THANK YOU FOR ANY ADVICE!!

Your FW tests should work fine in BW. I'll make a bet that your water parameters are way off in there. The black coloring on your puffer's belly is a sign of stress--poor water quality, probably being the cause. It is also the cause of the trouble healing, as the puffer's immune system isn't functioning as it should. You should be doing 50% weekly water changes every week, to maintain healthy fish. I'd start with 25%/day for a week & then bump it up to 50% weekly after that. Be sure to clean the substrate, too. Add Melafix to help heal the wounds. If the puffer's aggression continues, you may have to separate or at minimum, upgrade the tank so they have less territory issues.

+1 to PP's comments.

Thank you!
I performed all the tests and the only one that looks positive is nitrate at 5.0. I'm going to do a 25% water change (since they're not used to frequent water changes). I also went to petsmart and bought Melafix and will start that. I'll let you know what happens! Should I do a 25% every day then?

Thanks again!

Do the water changes until your water parameters are good. ammonia-0.0/nitrites-0.0/nitrates-0.0-5.0. Be sure if you treat with the Melafix to remove your carbon filtration if you have it. Best of luck to you and your little puffers!

Actually, nitrate of 5 is great! What is the ammonia/nitrite? How about pH? What test kits are you using?

puffpaddy wrote:Do the water changes until your water parameters are good. ammonia-0.0/nitrites-0.0/nitrates-0.0-5.0. Be sure if you treat with the Melafix to remove your carbon filtration if you have it. Best of luck to you and your little puffers!

Nitrate is difficult to get a reading of zero unless the tank is heavily planted, under 20 ppm is the normal suggestion.
The numbers are right on, I'm a little surprised but that's really great to hear.

I'm using the API freshwater master test kit. My ammonia and nitrites are 0. My ammonia test kind of got clumpy; I'm guessing because of the salt, but that's what the color suggested. My pH is 8 (that's just how my water supply here is). It was a whole morning project to go get new filters and get the carbon out... but we're up and running. So, I know I should be doing daily water changes, but the instructions on the Melafix bottle say I'm supposed to do a 25% change just on the 7th day? Will it matter if I change water daily?? Sorry for all the questions... thank you!

It's fine, as long as you are adding more Melafix daily. Be sure you have good water flow or add an extra airstone.

What is the alkalinity and the pH?

Update: Today is my 3rd dose of Melafix, and I already see improvement! Not much in the fin department, but DEFINITELY on the body wounds. They are closing up for sure. YAY! The fins haven't gotten worse, though.

By the way, I got Melafix Marine. I sat and wondered what would be better for a BW tank, FW or SW Melafix? So I went with the cheaper one. For future reference though, when it comes to these things... what should I purchase??

Also, I don't know how to measure alkalinity... but my pH is 8.

If you call the company, they'll say the labels are the only thing different. Look at the percentage of Melaleuca, they should all be 5.0%?
Is that about right? This was a while ago, maybe it's different now.

Do you have a KH test?

The puffer is looking a lot better! I will upload a picture at the end of his treatment.The ingredients say 1.25% Melaleuca, actually. But whatever the case, it seems to be doing the trick. I don't have a KH test, but before I run out and buy one... which I am prone to doing when it comes to my fish.... is it very beneficial to know the results, and can I easily fix any problems??

Thanks!

Weekly 50% water changes are generally the best way to fix most problems.