The Puffer Forum

i figured out the problem with my dwarf puffers. I did though lose two dwarf puffers. Luckily one is still here. I think they have ammonia burn. I dont remember the exact numbers sorry. Now though i put her in with a fully cycled tank but she is in a breeder net so that the other fish do not get to her. Anyway, what are sicknesses that dps can get from unstable water? I think it may be ammonia burn but im not positive. She sits at the bottom a lot and i think she is gasping for breath kinda. If i make a small water current with the net she will get up and swim a bit then go back down. I think she may be sleeping but idk. I am not positive though if she is gasping for breath. Please help!?

My friend, most of the forum members are puffer pros, and they'll all be able to help you out thoroughly.

But you have got to take note of those water parameters. I know you said you don't remember, but the exact numbers are really important. It might help if you write them down as soon as you get the results for the test. They can't tell if you if your DP has "ammonia burn" (which is more like poisoning...ammonia is toxic to the whole fish, not just the skin) unless they know your ammonia levels. My suspicion would be that the tank's not fully cycled yet, but we can't know that for sure without the parameters.

How are you testing the water, btw? Are you using the strips or a liquid kit? What other fish do you have in the tank? Keeping my fingers crossed for you and your puff.

Ammonia poisoning can burn gills, this is why we suggest fish less cycling. Just because some fish are hardy enough does not mean they should endure this. Puffers need a fully cycled or preferably a mature tank. If you have a cycled tank why not add some media from the cycled filter to the dp tanks filter? Big water change and you are golden. This may sound like a bashing but not meant that way. We all have to start somewhere and there is unlikely a single member on this forum who hasn't killed at least one fish through lack of knowledge

Can also burn eyes & skin, too. Then there's nitrite poisoning...
library/water-filtration/emergencycycle/

Infinity8 wrote:My friend, most of the forum members are puffer pros, and they'll all be able to help you out thoroughly.

But you have got to take note of those water parameters. I know you said you don't remember, but the exact numbers are really important. It might help if you write them down as soon as you get the results for the test. They can't tell if you if your DP has "ammonia burn" (which is more like poisoning...ammonia is toxic to the whole fish, not just the skin) unless they know your ammonia levels. My suspicion would be that the tank's not fully cycled yet, but we can't know that for sure without the parameters.

How are you testing the water, btw? Are you using the strips or a liquid kit? What other fish do you have in the tank? Keeping my fingers crossed for you and your puff.

I take the water to be tested for free at the fish store i got my puffer from.All I know is the ammonia is too high and i think maybe the nitrate. Also, I transfered her to another fully cycled tank in a breeder net while the current tank is cycling. I added a heater to the tank because i have goldfish in there and i know they are cold water but they will be okay for a few weeks in warm water. Also i know goldfish produce a lot of ammonia isn't so great but i will just do a few extra water changes. Hopefully she will be okay Any extra tips would be great!

ALL you need to know is in the article I linked above.

Gotcha, gotcha. wishing you the best of luck!