The Puffer Forum

Hi everyone,
I read the stickies above about parasites but couldn't really pull out what the best medication would be for treating internal ones. My GSP has been hanging out at the top of the tank, still eating from time to time but looking like he's just dangling at the surface rather than swimming around on his own. He's not too skinny or anything but definitely is not acting right. The nitrites are 0, ammonia is 0, and nitrates are around 20. Any suggestions?? Also notice the flicking action from time to time...Thanks!!!

Sorry, forgot to add that the salinity is around 1.012 and the puffer is about 2.5" long.

Doesn't sound like IPs to me. Try getting the nitrates lower. What is your water change schedule?

How is your tank set up? Sometimes fish will hang around the top corners or edges if they feel threatened or if there is insufficient oxygen in the water.

How big is the tank? How is it laid out? Is there a lot of things for the puffer to explore around? What kind of filtration do you have? What is his diet? Does his feces look stringy or unusual?

There are a lot of things it could be, including nothing at all. But we need more information.

I'll admit my water change schedule is 50% every 3 weeks. Do you guys think that the nitrates are the problem. My water has NO nitrates in it going into the tank but somehow I can't seem to keep them low. I have hang on the tank biowheel filters on both my tanks, should I take out the "filter cartridge" that's in them? Could that be producing nitrates?? I've lessened my substrate depth and taken out everything that could possibly be producing nitrates in the tank. The tank I'm talking about is a 29g but my larger saltwater tank that has the same nitrate problems is a 55g. Thanks for the replies guys.

50% every 3 weeks doesnt seem enought to maintain good water, I would think about doing that amount of water change every week.

50% every 3 weeks isn't enough. You need to be vacuuming out the substrate much more frequently with water changes. If you can't manage 50% every week try 20% twice a week. It's not ideal, but it would be better than what you do now.

How often do you change the cartridges?If they are turning brown, it's time to change them. If you leave them in for too long the gunk on them starts to decompose and release more nitrates.

As for your saltwater tank, you may want to post in the saltwater forum about how to get a handle on nitrates.

So do you think my GSP's problem is that nitrates? He's still just mainly floating around towards the top of the tank. He still eats when I feed him, he just acts unenergetic the rest of the time. He's also not that skinny so that's why I'm wondering if it's not really internal parasites. Thanks again.

20 is not excessive for nitrates, but the goal is to be as close to zero as possible. The nitrates are coming from fish waste and possibly from leftover food in the tank. Removing both, keeping your filter media clean and performing weekly (or more often) partial water changes with gravel vacuum should reduce the nitrate levels and keep them in check.

Are you using liquid test kits or test strips? Test strips are notoriously inaccurate. Old liquid test kits can be inaccurate as well. You might want to have the LFS check your water and compare the results.

Is your puffer displaying any other unusual symptoms such as dark colors, spots or bumps? How is your tank decorated? What is the water temperature?

So now I can see a stringy trail of feces coming out of the GSP. This means internal parasites for sure, right?? I really need to know what medication to use because he has been like this for probably a week now. What med should I go get and how do I use it best?? Thanks so much everyone!!

The best way to tell for sure, is if he eats & is still skinny.

he eats and isn't that skinny. He looks more bloated than skinny. Just as plump as always. Just not swimming around much, hanging out at top of tank, stringy feces. Any ideas?

If it makes you feel better, go ahead & treat for IPs. It can't hurt.

It would really make me feel better to treat for IP's. Can someone recommend a product that works good??

Read the sticky here on that.