The Puffer Forum

I'm so glad to have found a place to voice this concern.

Recently, as of about a day ago, my green spotted puffer developed a relatively large (a little more than a quarter of an inch in diameter) blockage near the base of his tail.
I presume that it is at the end of his digestive system, but it might not be.
At a first glance it looked like a piece of shell that had managed to embed itself in the poor guy, but upon gently petting him I discovered that it was somewhat soft.
Being careful not to squeeze too hard, I tried to help whatever the blockage was out, however to no avail.
Does anyone have any idea what we might be facing?

Here are my answers for the routine questions:
-The salinity is at a concentration of 1.015 and the pH is approximately 6.6.
-The tank holds 40 gallons and is much longer than it is tall.
-I change the water approximately once every three weeks or when it looks dirty.
-He usually eats half a small clam in the morning and various bites of bloodworm throughout the day.
-I have added API Quick Start and Aqueon Water Conditioner to the tank in appropriate dosages.
-I have made no changes in the previous week and my last cleaning was about a week and a half ago.
-The aquarium has been set up for several months.
-The closest thing I did to cycling it was to add extra Quick Start (as directed) and transition water from his old tank to the new one.

Any help would be appreciated, thank you.

~Jack

Hi Jack & welcome! Can you do some testing of your water please: ammonia/nitrite/nitrate? At a SG of 1.015, I am really surprised your pH is so low.

Try using Epsom salt for the blockage at 1 tbsp/5g. I'd do a 50% water change--stirring up the substrate well & then remove the water & use Prime to condition the water, before refilling. You can add it directly to the tank. Stop using the Quick Start. Not necessary at all, in an established system.

What's your substrate?

Thank you for responding so quickly, and I apologize for not being able to do so myself.

My ammonia level is around .1 which I have heard is alright.
My nitrate level is close to 160, apparently pretty terrible.
I was unable to get what I needed for nitrite testing.
I use a fine gravel substrate.

The water source that I use for the GSP's tank is just fine in both respects, so I blame the filter.

Tomorrow I'm going to follow your advice in doing a major tank cleaning and filter replacement, minus the usual Quick Start.

As an update, the blockage appears to have shrank slightly from yesterday.

Thanks again,
Jack

I am not sure why, but it appears that the message I posted yesterday was deleted for some reason.
I found that my ammonia was .1, apparently alright, whereas my nitrate was at an uncomfortable 160.
I didn't have the tools to get a nitrite reading.
My substrate is a gravel-like sand.
I also said that I would go ahead and do a large water change, which I did today.

My other update for today is that, with gentle massaging, I managed to dislodge the blockage.
Terrifying but true, it was actually a small piece of a clam shell.
Although it appears that he is not in any pain, the hole left behind from the shell is discerning to me.

What should I do to help it heal?

Thanks again,
Jack