The Puffer Forum

About 4-6 weeks ago my Fahaka Puffer ingested two rubber nosed plecos. After that his belly swelled and didn't have a bowel movement for over a week. His belly continued to grow and you could tell he was clearly constipated. As per advisal on this forum, I added a couple tablespoons of epsom salt to water. Within a day his bowels passed. I'm assuming his digestive system had difficulty digesting the plecos as their anatomy consists of a lot of bones. Shortly after I noted his rapid decrease in appetite. Currently it has now been over six weeks since he has last eaten (since plecos). He has developed ulcerated round patches all over his body and tail. I have included pictures depicting same. The patches have significantly gotten worse after my efforts of a fungal treatment and herbal treatment to water (pimafix). I don't know what to do. I am so worried for my poor puffer. What could his diagnose be and what type of treatment is effective for his condition?

Could u attach some pics?

In addition to some pics, please answer the questions above the post in red.

Thank you.

Awww... poor thing! I wonder if the sharp boned perforated his innards? What are you treating him with now?
Continue with the Epson salt (1 tbsp/10g), add Melafix & Pimafix. You may also want to use Maracyn on him. Be sure his water is pristine.

Here are some pics =) The fiance was writing earlier because im currently out of town and shes computer..... huh....
All the help will be very appreciated from all of you at the forum!

as PP suggested maracyn is a good treatment. I have no clue what he has, but I really hope you can get him better. Best of luck.

I wonder if the skin problem & the eating of the plecos is just a coincidence?

I thought the same thing. The only thing that held me back was the swelling, so poss 2 ailments. Epson salts and melafix are essential. Also daily 50% wc? Maybe go from there

Ive secluded him to a 10 gallon and am giving him daily 100mg doses of Erythromycin.

Epson salt has done absolutely nothing for him. In all honesty if anything its pissed him off!

bertie 83 wrote:I thought the same thing. The only thing that held me back was the swelling, so poss 2 ailments. Epson salts and melafix are essential. Also daily 50% wc? Maybe go from there

That looks like a big fish, do you have a larger hospital tank than a 10 gallon? He should be able to turn around easily and have enough water to dilute his bioload.

I'm not sure how adding magnesium to his water would piss him off. It should help him pass a blockage. Keep a very close eye on those water parameters. I have a feeling you'll be needing 80% wC 2x/day in a tank that small. See if you can get a 30+g for him.

I'm not sure how adding magnesium to his water would piss him off. It should help him pass a blockage. Keep a very close eye on those water parameters. I have a feeling you'll be needing 80% WC 2x/day in a tank that small. See if you can get a 30+g for him.

Pufferpunk wrote:I'm not sure how adding magnesium to his water would piss him off. It should help him pass a blockage. Keep a very close eye on those water parameters. I have a feeling you'll be needing 80% WC 2x/day in a tank that small. See if you can get a 30+g for him.

+1
I've also heard of people using large Tupperware containers as QT tanks.

Srkoe wrote:

Pufferpunk wrote:I'm not sure how adding magnesium to his water would piss him off. It should help him pass a blockage. Keep a very close eye on those water parameters. I have a feeling you'll be needing 80% WC 2x/day in a tank that small. See if you can get a 30+g for him.

+1
I've also heard of people using large Tupperware containers as QT tanks.

I think you might have meant to say rubbermaid, a tupperware are casserole sizes.