The Puffer Forum

So I have 3 south american puffer two of which I just yesterday. There is a loach and a placo of some sort in there as well. It is a 36 G tank. Water parameters are in good shape just did a water change. I feed them once a day normally black worms which they love, I rey to feed them clams on the half shell but the don;t like that. I am still growing my snail population in another tank for them at the moment. I have had my tank about 3 months now and last month it fully cycled.

Problem:
While feeding the puffers this morning (black worms) when I saw one of the new guys had some weird thing under it's skin. Upon further inspection it moved around a bit and looks like a long worm. It is on the dorsal side. I am hoping maybe some how he got over anxious in the blood worms but don't think that is the issue. Anybody have any ideas? Thanks

Bloodworms don't get under the skin. Most I've seen if when they feed too quickly, they'll wriggle out of their gills. Possibly a nematode. Not much you can do for that.

More SAP info: library/puffers-in-focus/sap/
library/hospital/dentistry/

I'm not one for bringing fish back to the store but is this contagious to my other puffers? Could I just be SOL? Or should I bring him back for a different one. I don't want him getting the other guys sick too.

Yes, it is contagious--best kept to a single tank but it is possible they all have it.

Well, too late I think they all got it now. Just started noticing some white patches. They are not fuzzy looking like ich. But it looks like lesions on their skin. Not sure what to do now. I can try and get a picture.

Please do post a pic & answer ALL the Qs above, in red.

1)pH 7.8, Amonia-0, Nitrites=0 nitrates=10
2)36 gallon
3 tiny red eye puffer, 3 south America puffer, 1 Algae eater, Hilstream/butterfly loach
3)Feed Black worms, frozen Clams on the half shell and fresh/frozen brine shrimp (Hikari Brand)
4) Problems started a few says after I got the two new SAPS I did a water change the day before I got the new puffers.
5)I have had the aquarium for about 5 months. Cycled it with an african cichlid not in tank anymore.

All other inhabitants are looking healthy but the SAPS are looking and but acting normally except one who has not realized where the food is yet.

So I couldn't get the photos to upload them to my pictures so you can see them. They are pictures of 2 of the SAPs but the other did not want a picture taken

The red eyes are gonna tear up your SAPs & loach. That tank is overstocked by 3 puffers.

Is there any way to treat whatever it is that they have? Or does anybody have any idea what it is? They don't seem to be affected by the skin it just looks bad. The worms I would like to get rid of the others do not appear to be affect yet. If there is some time of antibiotic to treatment would be awesome to find.

Whatever you use to kill the worms, will leave a dead worm under their skin to rot--killing the fish. Some have tried surgery. I'd leave it.