The Puffer Forum

I recently acquired an amazon puffer (4 days ago) This morning I went to feed him and it looks like he has been "snowed on." white from tip to tail. I did not notice this yesterday, though it has been relatively dark the area I have him in.

) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.

pH 8.3, ammonia: 0 nitrite: 0 nitrates: unknown, we have problems with high nitrates in our tap water, the kit will not accurately measure them. We have a test gone out to the state to have our nitrates tested professionally

2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.

15 gallon, just the one amazon puffer. I am planning to upgrade him to a 30 gallon (at least) in the near future.

3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)

I have been feeding him bloodworms 2X a day and have thrown in a couple of small snails. Use Prime to condition the water and easybalance plus. I did a 50% water change 2 days after I got him and I am doing another as soon as I am done here)

4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.

none

5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.

ok, I have a problem here, the tank is not COMPLETELY cycled. I've had it up and running for about a week prior to getting the puffer (it is a long story as to why I didn't cycle completely, it was stupid for me to get him without it being 100% cycled) I don't know what else to say other than it was stupid, but I have him now and want to do the best by him. I don't believe this has anything to do with what is going on with him, but I could be wrong.

I am currently uploading a video so you can see what he looks like (as best as you can). It looks like it has "snowed" upon him is the best way I can describe it. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance
video:
http://s1088.photobucket.com/albums/i32 ... G_0931.mp4

just added a link to the video if you can see anything, it is kind of small.

probably ich

Hi welcome to the forum. Your puffer has ich, I will bump rtrs salt and heat method as I am not sure how to link, if your tank is cycling you need to do at least 1x 50% waterchange daily, preferably more. Double dose on prime to help detoxify the ammonia. Saps are prone to ich, the slightest stress can allow it to rear its ugly head. Good luck

Thank you so much for the replies. Can ich just happen that fast? Please do bump the salt link, is that the best way to go about it? No meds? I feel like a jerk, I should have had a better environment for him to come home to, I just got him sooner than expected. Thank you for the welcome, I was hoping to browse and introduce myself, didn't know I would have an "emergency" first thing!

Quick question... I have aquarium salt on hand... I have regular table salt but I believe it is iodized. Should I go get some regular non-iodized table salt?

They are very commonly stuck with velvet disease. Treat exactly as you would ich: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=28113

Not aquarium salt, I used marine salt but regular table salt certainly does the trick.

Thanks, guys. All I have at the moment is aquarium salt. I will go tomorrow to get regular salt. Any idea when I should start noticing improvement? I've never seen so much white stuff

Aquarium salt or table sale is fine. NOT marine salt. Did you read that article?

I did read the article and it said "Do not use "aquarium salt" as that has no legal definition." That is why I asked if I could use it. I'm not the one who mentioned marine salt...

Yeah, table salt is probably more refined.

Does anybody know when I should notice improvement? Thank you

It may get worse, before it gets better. Add Melafix to help with the damaged skin by the parasites. Make sure you have an airstone in there.

Ok thank you! I do have an air stone in there. I'm not positive the temperature is correct, I have a stick on thermometer and it's not reading, the floating thermometer broke and the water doesn't feel like 80 degrees or more... What's the best thermometer to use? Thanks again!