The Puffer Forum

I have my figure 8 puffer in a 35 gallon brackish tank. In the tank there is also one cichlid (they get along fine). All I can tell you is that the ph is 7.8 and the temp. Is 78 degrees the tank has been running for about 7 yrs the only thing new is that I installed a new light but this light is actually blue (big surprise when I installed it). But anyway on to the puffer for about two weeks I noticed that his stomach had turned completely black but It fades going towards the mouth. He's eating normal and swimming fine. If anybody can help I would really appreciate it.

Sorry to hear this. Please post your other parameters. Ammo, nitrite, nitrate, specific gravity. Any additional information will help us to provide answers. Water change schedule, feeding schedule, how long have you had the f8 and the chillid together?

Hey Kraken, You really need to get some liquid test kits. API are the most popular. Then you can test your Ammonia, nitrite and nitrates. If your Ammonia and Nitrites are showing in your water then this is the problem with your f8 showing signs of being stressed (turning black). Also it doesnt matter if your puffer and cichlid are doing ok together, the cichlid should not be in a brackish water setup.

What species is the Cichlid? There are BW Cichlids, but very few.

Apologies kraken, I never knew there were brackish Cichlids

The ammonia is 0 and nitrites are also at 0 gravity is 1.003. I have had the cichlid since I've had the tank so I'm not sure what kind it is. The feeding schedule is usually half a cube of frozen brine shrimp a day than once a week a snail.

Oh and I've had the f8 and cichlid together for about 6 months.

Brine shrimp really isn't nutritious at all. Here are some better ideas: library/feeding/feeding-your-puffers/

Hey thanks for the article. I wonder if lack of nutrition could cause a blackened stomach. I'll have to try some different foods and see if it gets better.

+1 to Pufferpunk's comment above.

Any chance of posting a photo of the Cichlid, and the whole tank. That might allow us to identify the Cichlid. That is quite a small tank. Real numbers on the nitrate and other readings would also help a lot.

What is the water change schedule?

Not sure if it worked but I tried posting a pic of both the cichlid and the puffers stomach.

No pic. You need to upload to: www.photobucket.com & link to here.