The Puffer Forum

I ordered a valentini puffer online and it came in the mail yesterday. Upon arrival the puffer was belly up, we tapped the bag it turned over for several seconds and then resumed its belly up position. Still we followed a drip acclimation process during which time the puffer turned over and just leaned against the side of the container. After 2 hours we transferred the puffer to the tank where he sunk down a little, started swimming very slowly then laid down on one of the rocks. We put some food in the tank (brine shrimp and a clam) but he didn't move. We added a little more brine shrimp that evening with still no movement from the puffer.

When I woke up this morning, and he was in the same spot. His gills and fins are moving but he still seems very lethargic. I added some more shrimp and a fresh clam this morning, even placing the clam close to the puffer, with still no success. I don't see signs of ich or any other deformities. I am worried, his eyes are a little foggy and he just seems so sad. What if anything can I do?

The 28 gal nano cube tank has been set up for about a month now, we have been getting our waters tested at the LFS every few days or so. We haven't had any issues with the water to date as far as pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrates. Salinity is just a little low (1.021) and the pH is at 8.2. As far as the other levels I don't know what they are exactly at this time but last time was tested (two days ago) ammonia and nitrite were both 0, nitrate was 10 ppm and . Last water change was 4 days ago but not even sure if any of this is the reason why he is sick.

The tank is set up with live rock and live sand. We were really worried about killing fish so we let the tank cycle for 2 weeks before the guy at the LFS convinced us it would be okay to add two clowns. They have been fine, eating regularly and swimming around. Eventually we added a goby and turbo snail. Per the advice of the the guy at the store we decided to finish the tank off by adding the puffer. What can we do, he is just sitting in the shadows of the rock and I am worried!

Thanks!!

The long-term problem is that you'll probably be overstocked (not technically, but practically) depending on the temperament of the puffer and given the water volume in a nano is so small. I have a 24 nano and have done tons of research and would not put more than a pair of clowns in one plus maybe a bottom dweller like the goby. But, it might work for you. If you keep up on water changes and or get a decent skimmer.

That aside, for your short term problem of the puffer's health...my best guess is he got tossed around in the mail. I would contact the seller (Aquabid? Someone else?) and see if they can do anything for you...not technically a DOA but possibly not packaged well? How long was he in the mail? What was he eating at the seller's location? Maybe try those things.

How was your salinity tested? If a hydrometer those can be way off and clowns can survive pretty drastic highs or lows that cause other fish to kick the bucket. Refractometers aren't much more accurate unless calibrated correctly using a known salinity solution.

Hope some of this helps.

Hello im sorry about the situation you got yourself into but its a sad fact ive learned about puffer keeping. Online Puffer babies are likely to be very sickly. The journey of a fish to a fish store is brutal, and then they gotta get shipped again to your home. From what ive picked up, puffers get sick pretty easy. Their maybe nothing you can do to save your puffer, but if theirs anything you can do to help, it would be to leave him alone for now. Its been through a lot already and whatever it is, Stress is also the enemy. If you tried feeding him already and its just not eating and your water is fine, what can you do other than force feed it? I think if you went that route it would do you more harm this soon into you getting it.

Maybe another more experienced member can help you better... in the meantime, how do his sides look, sunken in? Sticking out? are any tubes sticking out of the skin?

I agree, maybe keep a close eye for a few days as it could be stress. If he's the right way up but grumpy now leave well alone for a while.

Might I ask who the supplier was for this puffer? Was it shipped overnight? How much water was it in?