The Puffer Forum

Hello enthusiasts.

I wish I would have found this forum sooner, rather than later, as I have a GSP that is ailing, and death appears imminent.

My water has a PH of 7.2 and the Specific Gravity is 1.008. I have him in a 29 gallon, and he is about 3in.long. I have had him about 2 months. He had been doing great, and growth was vigorous when I decided to give him some raw shrimp from the restaurant where I am a chef at. It is regular IQF U12 shrimp with the shell on. He ate a large portion of it, and his belly became swollen, as it does when he eats. Only it has been days and he has not returned to normal. He was eating a steady diet of bloodworms, brine shrimp and mussels.

He has now developed hemorrhages in his eyes, appears to be blind, and his anus is starting to protrude. I have been doing 80% water changes daily, but to no avail. His belly is still white, and I have tried to burp him many times, but no change. I then tried epsom salts, thinking he might be constipated, but no luck there as well.

His breathing is labored, he will not eat, and I am deeply sorrowed, as I do not wish to see him suffer. I am at a loss, as I have scoured the web for any kind if info as to what this might be, and I am asking more seasoned owners to please help if they can.

Thanks so much.

Try Epsom Salt, 1 tbsp/5g. Also, Melafix.
I can't imagine that shrimp fit for human consumption would be a problem for your puffer. Has he pooped since he ate it?

Sounds like he ate something else that you are unaware of... or is it possible for a puffer to get dropsy?

No, I don't believe they can but something bacterial is going on there.

No, I don't believe they can but something bacterial is going on there. I wish he'd write back.

Hi guys....

Sorry for the late reply.

I have tried epsom salt again thinking he is constipated, but he has still not pooped since he ate the shrimp. He is now lethargic, lays on the bottom of the tank, will not eat, and is starting to turn black from the tail fin progressing upwards to his head. He appears to be getting more and more swollen and looks like he could explode. His head is getting misshapen, and the hemorrhages are getting worse. I will try some Melafix, but if he does recover, will his eyesight return? He is completely blind and bounces of the glass and plants. I had to turn the filter off, (Magnum 350) as he gets stuck to it and cannot escape.

I have 2 children that really like him and they were away this weekend. I do not want them to see him like this so I have purchased a bottle of clove oil. I truly want to save him, but I have no idea what could be wrong with him. There is nothing else in his tank but some sand as the substrate and the same plants that have been in there from the start.

He is suffering, that much I know....and even as a grown man, it makes me teary.

Thanks for your replies.

EDIT:....I have moved him to a 10 gallon tank in an effort to make changing the water easier. I also took some pics of him to see if that would help diagnose what is wrong with him.

EDIT 2: I have taken a pic of his anus, which appears to have some sort of clear sac covering it, tinged with blood.

Sadly this story sounds almost identical to whats happening to one of my GSPs.