The Puffer Forum

At feeding time, I noticed that Hobart's belly is black, his spines are out (although he is not puffed up) and he won't eat. He seems grumpy and not his usual self. The only thing that has change in his tank is the addition of some Astraea Conehead Snails (in an attempt to control the algae) on Sunday. Could he be stressed, or is he sick?

We need exact answers to the questions above please.

pH is 8.0
Ammonia is 0
Nitrite is 0
Nitrate is 20ppm
salinity is 27PPT
SG is 1.020
29 gallon aquarium
1 GSP and 2 Astraea Conehead Snails
Feeding raw shrimp, mussels, occasional frozen brineshrimp.
I do 20% water change weekly. I only use Instant Ocean and Prime.
No changes to the aquarium, except the addition of the snails on Sunday.
The aquarium has been set up since November 2013.
One week fishless cycle, added filter media and one molly from existing tank for one week before getting my GSP.

What kind of filtration? Any live rock?
Is he eating/swimming normally?

HOB Penguin filter. No live rock. He seemed to be swimming normally.
He has passed away. No idea why.
RIP dear Hobart.

So sad right now............

Sorry for your sudden loss.

It might have been parasites or a sudden injury perhaps? Where did you buy the puffer?

I had purchased him at Broadway Aquatics in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He had always been healthy, happy and friendly, until this week. Not sure what happened, could have been something in the water.

Sorry for your loss, always sad to loose a loved pet