The Puffer Forum

ph - 8.2
ammonia - 0ppm
nitrite - 0ppm
nitrate - 10ppm
salinity - 1.022

90 gallon - 1 yellow tang, 1 large snowflake eel, 1 filefish, some hermit crabs, and snails
20% water change once a week
no changes to the tank other than water changes
been set up since 6/23/13 - fishless cycle

My stars and stripes puffer fish P. Diddy is unactive, and lethargic. I fed him a decent meal last night of unfrozen shrimp cut up into bits so he could handle them. And one tiny piece this morning at around 7am. he was acting completely normal this morning when i left for work, but when i got home he is acting slow, and uninterested. Normally he is very active especially when he sees me on the other side of the glass, and constantly begging for food. I have attached several photographs of where he has been for the past 3 hours. He has not moved from this spot. I think he may be constipated, but wanted to get a more expert opinion from you all. he seems bloated and to be breathing rather hard. Please let me know your thoughts thanks in advance for your help.

He might just be resting to digest his food.

thanks for your response bertie, i sure hope so...when would i know if i need to treat with epson salt?

When did you last see him poop? If they gorge too much they can sit for a couple of days, I feel like doing the same after a huge dinner lol. Has he got a large tummy still?

i have only see him poop once since i've got him, but that doesn't really mean anything i am gone throughout the day. this morning i checked on him before work, and he doesn't seem to have a large belly anymore so i am assuming he has passed the waste. i will monitor him at lunchtime and report on how he is doing. he was swimming around normally this morning. and seemed to be doing better. i am still trying to get used to the mannerisms of puffer fish. i have never worried about a fish as much as this one...

Thanks for your help this far. he seems to be acting more like his old self again, i have cut back on feeding only a couple of small pieces of bite size shrimp a day. the only other thing that i have noticed is my puffers eyes seem to be very hazy. what does this mean? thanks for your continued help.

Hazy eyes are generally linked to water quality issues, what are the tanks param readings?

bertie,

water parameters are as follows:
pH - 8.1
ammonia - 0ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm
Nitrate - 20ppm
Copper - 0ppm
Salinity (measured with a refractometer) - 1.021

20% water changes every 4 days i realize i need to do more.
these parameters are within range of where they have been for the past 3 weeks. nitrates jumped from 10ppm - 20ppm. please let me know what you think, thanks again for your continued help. took the tests tonight.

How much LR in there? Protein skimmer?

at least 90lbs if not more, i have a vertex protein skimmer. temp is around 82-84 what else do yall need to know? thanks for your help pufferpunk!

Temp is a bit high. My SW tanks run around 76-78.

Temp is a bit high. My SW tanks run around 76-78.

i have recently been more worried about the temp...i have an aquatic life t-5 setup right now...i'm assuming thats where the heat is coming from? should i look into an led set up to lower the temp? the temp monitor is near the top of the water so its reading 84 at the top of the tank. heat rises, so its probably a little cooler towards the bottom but my puffer likes to hang near the skimmer at the top of the tank...recommendations?

and by skimmer i mean surface skimmer/overflow.

Saltwater melafix will help clear his eyes, also continue with water changes