The Puffer Forum

Hi,

I'm stressing out and need some help! I've had Diddy, a Dwarf Puffer, for about 3 weeks now and this morning when I came down I found him just laying on the gravel of the tank, "breathing' hard. He has what appears to be a little tuft of cotton on the top of his head, but he's hiding so I can't get a proper look at it. I quickly phoned the aquatic centre where I got him from and rushed over to get their suggested cure - myxazin. I did a 50% water change and added the treatment to the new water (as well as the usual Tetra Aqua Safe I use). I cleaned the gravel in the process as I think I've been overfeeding the little fella. Have I done the right thing? Is he likely to survive? I don't want him to die!

Here's the info on the tank:

-19ltr Fluval Chi
-Not sure of water parameters as I've no testing kit to hand - should've bought one while I was at the store but was panicking to get back!
-Diddy is the only inhabitant other than a piece of root and some plants.
-Recently introduced 3 new plants to the tank and started feeding live bloodworms. However, thinking about it, the white stuff appeared on him before this.
-Before getting Diddy, the tank was set up with new plants and the filter, etc. was switched on for about 4 days.

Thanks in advance!
Kajsa & Diddy.

Your tank is not cycled. Today, you're going to do a 90% WC to remove those meds, as this is a sure way to kill off any good bacteria in there. Instead, add Tetra Safestart, after the water change, directly to your filter. Use Pimafix & Melafix, for the infection. These products will not harm your good bacteria. Get the API test kit.

+1 to pp. or if you are near me you can have some filter media

Can I use Pimafix and Melafix even though I've given him the Myxazin?

I told you to remove the Myxazin wit a 90% WC.

Have done that but it will still by in Diddy's little body, right? Anyway, he's in a pretty bad way so am following your advice. Except I couldn't get any Aqua Start so the Aqua Safe will have to do.
Fingers crossed...

None of those products are any good, other than Tetra Safestart. You are wasting your $$$ & adding dead bacteria, which will only make things worse.

Well Diddy is on his back, gasping for air, and there are no other pet shops open, so I've done the best I can for now.

Update - Diddy is still on his back, but he seems to be better in colour and breathing better, and has even made attempts to right himself. I got a kit and tested the ammonia levels of the water after the 90% water change and it was 0.25, so I wonder what it was before the water change! Can he come back from this do you think? I just want to say thank you so much for your help with this. And I'm sure Diddy says thank you as well.

I'll update in the morning (UK time), let's hope it's good news. Should I carry on doing water changes every day? If so, how much? I will also source some Aqua Start as well, somewhere must stock it!

I'd do them 2x/day, at 80%. Did you get Prime?

Unfortunately Diddy didn't make it through the night, and he's now at peace in the garden. Thank you for helping me try to save him.

I will wait a while before getting another, and learn from my mistake.

RIP Diddy

Sorry for your loss... Please do more research on cycling & the nitrification process: library/category/water-filtration/

I certainly will, and I'll also get a bigger tank so it's not so quick to deteriorate.

Yea shame he didn't make it, bigger tanks are more stable but remember to fully cycle the tank before adding any fish.