The Puffer Forum

i have had my fahaka puffer for about 3 weeks now. He's about 2.5" and is a 20 Gallon tank for the moment. water has been kept at 27 Degrees Celsius. The only tank mates he has had is a common pleco (since removed as he was getting aggressive). Water parameters are:
GH 60
KH 40
PH 7
NO2 0
NO3 20

Regular Diet consists of: blood worms, feeder fish, frozen shrimp, snails, clam meat.

He has developed some sort of illness. It looks as though he's shedding or something, hard to explain. here are a couple pictures:


It's hard to explain but it looks kind of silky and the substrate kind of sticks to him everywhere but his belly. He's still swimming around and such, but is breathing seems a bit labored at times, he's not eating right now either. Also recently there has been a development to brown algae in the tank.

This problem only apeared a couple days ago with what started out looking like white spots on his skin. So i thought possible ich. Raised the temp to 84 degrees Fahrenheit added 1 tablespoon salt per every 10 gallons dissolved in water before adding to the tank, removed carbon media from filter, and added "ICH-X" which is "a disease treatment for freshwater & marine aqariums" treats: ICH, TRICHODINIASIS, VELVET (GOLD DUST DISEASE) AND SAPROLEGNIASIS. for scaleless fish. He seems OK right now, stressed ofcourse. Is there anything else i can do for him? Is he going to make it? Please help

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no expert on this but it sounds bacteria based.

I am sure someone will chime in.

Have you been doing your water changes? It might be a good idea while your waiting for someone of authority to chime in.

Not too sure either. But unless u breed your own feeder fish, DO NOT feed them any kind of feeder fish bought from the LFS. They could be disease ridden.. One of the possible cause the bacterial/ailment was introduced.

http://factoidz.com/fish-disease-what-is-flexibacter/
http://www.bettainfo.com/columnaris-cot ... lexibacter

Have a read at these 2 links, they are pointing there fingers at Flex..

I am quoting from the first link.

"Signs and Symptoms

The first signs of this disease can be determined if one sees white spots developing on the fish’s head, scales or the edges of its fins. If not treated immediately, more severe symptoms can be observed like columns of bacteria developing on the fish’s skin, unusualy discoloring in some parts of the fish’ body, rotting of the flesh in the tail and fin areas, rapid breathing, swollen kidneys, fungus-like growths near the mouth area and lesions appearing on the fish’s body, especially in the dorsal fin area. It is easy to misdiagnose this disease as a fungus infection, so it is recommended to have an expert look at the fish before one seeks any kind of treatment."

idk what kind of illness your fahaka has but to be having him in a 20 gallon tank is absolutely ridiculous...im not trying to be rude but you should deffinatly upgrade to atleast a 120 gallon or find some1 who can give him the proper living arrangement he needs

It is highly suggest to use NO meds for ich on scaleless fish, especially puffers. This is the typical reaction to these meds. Please do several 80% water changes & add fresh carbon to the filter. After the meds have been removed, use Mekafix to heal his skin (remove carbon)

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