The Puffer Forum

hi everyone ,

I wanted to tell everyone thank you for your help with my fish emergency , regretfully even though little ocho didnt make it , I wanted to avoid the same problems . How can you tell if the puffers in the lfs are healthy ??? I went two weeks ago to look at the puffers , I am currently cycling my brackish tank with 3 bumblebee gobies . They are doing very well and the water tests are good . I wanted to get a new puffer when the cycle is finished , the puffers at the LFS, the first day they came in had fins nipped and a little fuzz here and there a white speckle or two ... I didnt purchase one as I am waiting for the cycle and wanted to get a very healthy pet this time . I went there yesterday and the same puffers are there sooooo skinny speckled fuzzy , I felt so bad . They are all as good as dead . I fought down the urge to get another one and try to nurse it back to health ... I still feel bad about that but I cant run the risk of an unhealthy contagious fish . I cant tell you the expense and effort just to have him not make it ...... So anyway ..... Back to the subject sorry I ramble a bit . How can I get a Figure 8 Puffer in good health ??? Ive been to all 3 LFS in town , they all seem to have the same basic problems , nipped fins, bite marks , white speckles , fuzzy like slime , grey patches .... Oh avoid any fish with solid grey patches ??? what it is but its a killer ....(I sure wish they would keep them in a different tank than with the Green Spotted Puffers cause those little things are savages in comparison).... Should I order one and bypass my LFS ??? Should I keep going in on shipment days until I find one without previously stated troubles ??? How can I get one with a really distictive 8 marking if I do order one ??? Does anyone know where i can order one ??? oh oh oh one last thing .... Which one of the above stated symptoms can be treated with good water conditions and alot of love ??? I dont want to not get a fish thinking it is sick .... if all it needs is some love, good food , good water , and a tank without 20 other puffers chasing it around ??? Please consider this for a topic of discussion . I think other people would have the same questions .

Nipped fins are easily fixed so long as they are not too damaged. Plump voracious eaters are the best choice. Avoid any in a tank where others have fungus or white spots. Deworm straight away even if they seem clear as it won't hurt them.

I'd stay away from thin fish, white spots & grey patches. Ask to see them eat. Get the one that gets the food 1st.

Buy a fish with a nice rounded belly if you can. Concave tummies can be a sign of IPs. Nipped fins and bite marks don't worry me too much. As Bertie said, easily mended -- try a little MelaFix. I probably wouldn't personally resort to mail order. Too expensive, and you typically can't choose your exact puffer. Keep trying the stores till you find a healthier looking fish.

Most people I've met (online) had the trouble with skinny or sunken bellied puffers. Also if you have a tank with multiple puffers (dwarf puffers and figure , then skinny or sunken bellied puffer will be even more difficult to save unless you have a separate QT tank.

think i might make the fish store rounds today wish me luck im going to try to post this pick of a puffer tattoo i liked it !!!

Well ..... no luck ..... I drove 30 miles yesterday to see the same thing ..... they all had ick ... they all had random grey patches ... one was still alive and being eaten at the same time , which i kindly asked the employee to remove the poor little guy . Going to the fish store here in las vegas is like going to the pound . the sad reality being , if you dont save that puffer no one will . They did have a leopard/green spotted that appeared to be in good shape . I almost got him ... but i was afraid to do it because he was in the same tank .... next time i go to the LFS i want to take pictures , so you guys can see what im talking about . Im going to try again on thursday , wish me luck .... also i have a question , what is the correct way to set up a hospital tank ??? i have a 10gallon in the garage i could pic up a pump and as filter . but im sure it would have new tank issues and have to be cycled , i dont really want to spend the money to do a full set up on another tank , i kind of have my hands full with the 2 i have already , and space is a big issue ( my place is kind of small )

That's awful...

I know what you mean, all I have to do Is walk into a Walmart fish section to find puffer concentration camps

yeah well ... went to the lfs today . Only one of the figure eight was still alive . Its just so sad , I dont know why they would keep them with the green spotted puffers . There were literally skeletons and tails sticking up at the bottom of the tank . I took a picture but who wants to see that . I asked the guy about the last survivor and he said he wouldnt purchase a fish with those health problems . I should have got him the first day when he came in . I think im going to rescue him tomarrow ... Doe anyone know if he can give that fuzzy stuff to the bumble bee gobies i have ??? I feel so bad for him , I made the guy feed him today . Anyway I would like to rescue him without killing all my other fish .... any suggestions ???