The Puffer Forum

I am pretty new to puffers, and this site. I just got three female red eyed puffers. and i need some help
First off, one is sick, lying on the bottom, and rolling over on its side. I checked my water. the nitrates were high just above 20ppm. I did a 50% water change and now its just about 20.
the other two are doing really well. So I know nitrates are really bad, but is this what is hurting her?
-When I first got them I thought one looked slightly sick (maybe with ich) So i raised water temp and added a little salt 1tsp for 10gs. Now I dont see anything that looks like ich.-
Also, they are about an inch long, is a ten OK for now? Can I keep two (or three if she makes it) females together? If I can get some boys, should I get two (three) or what? Then with boys (hopefully around the same size) what size tank would they want now, and in the future?
-J

what are your other paramaters?
a ten gal might be slightly on the small side, i'd go with at least a 20g.
whats her figure like? rounded or concave belly?

Her belly is rounded, but not full, she didnt eat. she is 'panting' on the bottom of the tank.

Nitrate~20ppm
Nitrite 0
Ph-6.8

Im also not totally sure if they are c. lorteti or c. irrubesco.

just a thought about panting, is there enough oxygen getting into the tank? im hoping someone more experienced will butt in here......

There are plants.... I am almost positve there is enough, otherwise the other two and the guppy(their friend/food/w.e) wouldn't be doing so good.
I really dont want to loose her!!!!!!!!

Is there anything I can do at this point? Would more water changes today be harmful?

Should I take her out of the tank and set her up w. something else, either a 2.5g or bucket? I dont want the others to get sick.

water changes always help can you take photos we could help you more if you could get a few

20ppm seems high. I am prolly wrong.

Nitrate at 20ppm is a bit higher than desirable, but is not by itself dangerous.

She died.
The other two still are doing really well.
And I am almost 100% positive they are irrubesco, Ill try to post a pic for a little help, but I think so because they have a few spots on their bellies, and on the pufferlist, irrubesco has them and lorteti doesn't.

IMO irrubesco are nearly aways in a poor state whe they arrive in the LFS. They seem to suffer more than other puffers and do not 'travel' well. They seem to be more sickly than other soecies.JMO though.