The Puffer Forum

Hi
Was 3 Figure of Eight Puffers now only 1 left
Bought on 26th Aug 2013
35 L fresh water tank
25 Deg C
ammonia 0 PPM
Nitrite 0 PPM
Nitrate 5 PPM
Feed Frozen Blood Worm, Prawn & White Mosquito Larva.
Tank has been running for 8 years non stop, moved Siamese Fighting Fish & Neon Tetra out to new tank (doing well) so we could have the F8's

Ok
first fish started looking drunk and within a fue hours died, 2 days later second fish started acting drunk after close inspection could not see any unusual spots, patches, marks or mould. but noticed the green markings looking dull and he wasn't moving his eyes he did not respond to food nor did he follow me as normal (other fish eating very well follows me around appears normal) none of the puffers ever chased or bullied each-other.

when i removed the second dead fish i could see a faint yellow patch on his belly (couldn't see when in the water).

I am concerned that the third will go the same way so if anyone could provide me with any ideas/info or products i would be very grateful.

Many thanks in advance.
Ps i think this Forum is an amazing idea! Just Puffers!

Hi and welcome to the forum. Acting drunk is often a result of poisoning, are you by any chance using test strips? A 35 litre tank is too small for even 1 of these critters. Are you using any aerosols or deodorants near the tank?

Hi First i was told 15l for the first fish and 10 more per additional fish by the shop and found the same info online. what do you suggest is the correct space in litres?

Secondly my wife uses hair spray in a different room witch dose smell all over the house.

what about the yellow patch on its belly/

oh the test was done with API Liquid at the pet shop.

15 gallons each, 60 l. I would suggest the store aren't shaking the test bottles correctly, it's unlikely a tank this size with puffers in would have a nitrate level of 5. I hope the last one makes it for you. What is your water change schedule? Puffers are likely some of the hardest fish to keep but are so rewarding

i watched her do it as i needed to know the readings not just get an "its fine" lol i do have a kit coming (API salt water master + Marine salt and Salinity Refractometer)
it makes me laugh these shops tell you what ever the can to get a sale!! i bought them from a fish shop and they said F 8 Puffers are no harder to keep than a Neon Tetra and my tank size and set-up was perfect!

what do you think the yellow spot on its belly was?

I could not even guess what the yellow spot was, others may have a good idea. All I know is if you don't shake the nitrate bottles vigorously for a minute or more you get false readings, a quick shake will not do. They will tell you anything to get money in the till.

Hi at what stage were the water testing done? Bertie is right.. The non responding eyes and drifting all over the place are ssymptoms of ammonia and nitrite poisoning.

in-between the old fish and the f8's

a few days ago

and finally today.

My LFS said they'd never hire me, because I'd never sell any fish to anyone!
Sorry for your loss... Now what are your plans for upgrading your 2 remaining fish?

Well i still dont really know what happened to the two that died or what the yellow spot is.

i will probably stick with just the 1 f 8 puffer that is left.

i have ordered marine salt, a saltwater testing kit from API and a Refractometer.
i will also start saving for a bigger tank.

can you suggest anything else that i should buy/do i.e. treatments, tests ext...

Always worth treating for internal parasites, you need a suitable med for treating his food.

what would you recommend?

Pufferpunk wrote:My LFS said they'd never hire me, because I'd never sell any fish to anyone!

Yep I think this is why Petco and Petsmart backtracked on hiring me when I went in for an interview last summer despite them saying I was a likely candidate to be picked.

And to the original poster: I am sorry for your loss. The folks here are very knowledgeable and will help you provide a better life for your remaining fish.