The Puffer Forum

Alright, now I'm just ticked. I'm not even sad anymore. Just ticked.

Woke up to another dead DP.

She was absolutely fine by all outward appearances and behavior yesterday. I inspected her after removing her from the tank, and she still appears to be normal, aside from the fact that she passed.

Ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 10.

Kuhlis, otos, and the remaining DP girls are just fine. Or, should I say, on death's doorstep, because apparently "fine" means "will be dead tomorrow".

We have the diagnostics from the others that passed, but what happened to this girl? Something internal that just never showed itself? She was treated for IPs successfully along with that week of Melafix and Pimafix for the fungus that took the other puffer, even though no other fish showed any signs of it.

Could it have been the medication? I didn't use the full dose, and I had an airstone in the tank the entire time. I've since performed two 50% water changes, so I can't imagine that there is any medication left in the water, between absorption and water removal. It definitely doesn't smell like the medication anymore.

I am starting to get a complex. I'm the dwarf puffer killer. Why? Why is this happening?

Cool down... It could be anything.. Disease, aggression etc.. As far as I remember, u do not have them for very long.. So technically, they are all in QT period.. Fish do sometimes die during QT..unfortunately..

I had a similar thing with my first batch of dps, the store gave me credit for them as I know them so well, I got more from another Lfs and they were fine. There seems to be dodgy batches if that makes sense. It's best to buy them once they have been in the store for a while. Don't be disheartened it's not you

Thanks, guys... I'm trying to cool down, but it's just... argh. This all makes sense, but it's still upsetting.

The place I got them from is about 2 hours away, because they were having a big sale. Their guarantee on fish is only 5 days, so that's out.

There is a place a bit closer, 45 minutes, but they sell them for over twice the price! I would like to keep at least three DPs in the tank, so I will likely go and purchase one from them after I get back from spring vacation. I wouldn't want to leave my poor husband with a QT fish for a week. My quarantine tank is freed up now, so I can stick the new girl in there for observation, IP treatment, and all that jazz. I'll call and ask how long they've had their current batch. It's a small place, and they had a bunch last I checked, so I'm sure they'll still have some later this month.

They sell some here for $2 a piece. How much are they over your way? I have had mine for over a month and no deaths. Sounds like you just got a bad batch. Don't blame yourself as the others said.

OMG!!!! I can't believe fate is being so cruel my thoughts are with you and your remaining dp's

What meds?

I got them for 2.99 + 30% off. The store closest to me has them for 8 a piece.

PP, I used Pimafix and Melafix for that week of fungus treatment after I lost the first DP. Their IP medicine was the Jungle fizzy tabs.

I'm beginning to wonder if you have an aggressive fish who only attacks at night.

The thought occurred to me, which is why I was checking for bite marks, fin damage, more fungus... anything I could see visually. Nothing.

I know that the fungus got the first one, and the IPs took the second, because she was separated from all other fish, so nothing could have gotten to her.

This third one, though... complete mystery.

I'll turn the lights out a bit early this evening and see if there might be something going on, just to be sure. I really feel as though it's something internal, though.

kcartwright856 wrote:Alright, now I'm just ticked. I'm not even sad anymore. Just ticked.

Woke up to another dead DP.

She was absolutely fine by all outward appearances and behavior yesterday. I inspected her after removing her from the tank, and she still appears to be normal, aside from the fact that she passed.

Ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 10.

Kuhlis, otos, and the remaining DP girls are just fine. Or, should I say, on death's doorstep, because apparently "fine" means "will be dead tomorrow".

We have the diagnostics from the others that passed, but what happened to this girl? Something internal that just never showed itself? She was treated for IPs successfully along with that week of Melafix and Pimafix for the fungus that took the other puffer, even though no other fish showed any signs of it.

Could it have been the medication? I didn't use the full dose, and I had an airstone in the tank the entire time. I've since performed two 50% water changes, so I can't imagine that there is any medication left in the water, between absorption and water removal. It definitely doesn't smell like the medication anymore.

I am starting to get a complex. I'm the dwarf puffer killer. Why? Why is this happening?

I doubt it could be the meds but 2 50% water changes on different days doesn't equal 100% if you think there could still be meds in the tank throw in a carbon filter and that will guarantee that all are out.

Nuclear_Glitter wrote:I'm beginning to wonder if you have an aggressive fish who only attacks at night.

Every single new DP I put in the tank would be stuck to the intake the next day. My LFS was kind enough to replace them. Until I actually sat & watching the goings on at night. My larger DP is a killer!

Pufferpunk wrote:

Nuclear_Glitter wrote:I'm beginning to wonder if you have an aggressive fish who only attacks at night.

Every single new DP I put in the tank would be stuck to the intake the next day. My LFS was kind enough to replace them. Until I actually sat & watching the goings on at night. My larger DP is a killer!

I can't discount the idea, since we are talking about puffers, but I'm not convinced. Time will tell. The only mystery death so far is the one from this morning.

If I end up with one puffer, I'll likely take her back to the original place and go try another batch from a different source, but I'd like to think positive for now.