The Puffer Forum

Hi All,

I have been keeping two GSPs for about 3 years now.

Recently, one of them started developing white open wounds/ulcers all over his body. The wounds started on his back. At first I thought they were symptoms of hole-in-the-head disease, but I didn't medicate because I was not sure as the wounds were not localised on the head.

My poor puffer has not eaten for 2 weeks (and he used to be the greediest) and he just lies on the substrate panting. He still looks at me but when he tries to move, he seems unable to stay afloat very long and quickly sinks down to the bottom again.

I have since removed the carbon filters and dosed Melafix with the hope that if the medication doesn't help him, at least it wouldn't do him any further harm/injury.

My water parameters are: Amm 0, NO2 0, NO3 10, SG 1.010, pH 8, Alk 5dkH. I use marine salt.

I would appreciate any advice to help nurse my puffer back to health. Has anyone experienced similar symptoms on their GSPs?

Thanks in advance.

What size tank are they in? How large are they? I would think at their age, they are full grown? Probably should be in SW by now.

Obviously, some king of bacterial infection. Any new tank mates? I'd add Pimafix too. If those don't help soon, I'd QT & use something stronger.

Hi Pufferpunk,

Thanks for your quick response.

I'm afraid that they are still in their original tank - a very small 20L - when I got them 3 years ago they were half inch babies. They are now about 2" excluding the tails. I will be moving them to a much bigger tank soon (about 150L).

In view of their size, should I still keep them in SG1.010 or full SW?

Would Melafix/Primafix harm the other healthy puffer? There are no new tank mates. I have partitioned the tank to separate the two of them because last week, I saw the healthy one trying to bite the sick one. In fact, I half suspected those ulcers could be bite wounds.

Are bite wounds white?

When you said something stronger, which medication do you suggest?

Thanks very much for your valued advice!

Your puffers are severly stunted now, as they should be 6"! Stunting fish means their organs continue to grow, but their outsides are too small.

Read: http://www.thepufferforum.com/articles/ ... togsp.html

So would they grow if moved to a suitably sized tank? Or are they doomed now since they are stunted?

They will never grow to full size, but you may see some growth upon upgrading. They will not live as long, or be as healthy as they should be. A larger tank should have been aquired long ago, but will certainly help now.