The Puffer Forum

Hey all -

Just wanting to get a bit ahead of the game here, and not have any sort of scramble after something bad happens. I want to be prepared. Is there any sort of testing I should be doing (outside of normal PH / ammonia / nitrate / nitrite) or medicines I should have on hand in case? I read articles in here where people pretty quickly know if their puffer is sick and what it likely has...that'd be great info to know.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Not to the extent of my knowledge. Identifying quickly usually is a direct result of observation. Noticing out of the ordinary behavior or something physical developing with our wet pets. If something does develope or you notice odd behavior and you are unclear of what could be causing it, a post here will usually result in quick reponses.

Hi there, Headstrng!

Before I got my puffers, I did a lot of research (i.e. googling and visiting forums ) on anything I could think of related to keeping puffers, among others diseases, medicines and water parameters. I made my own tables with information about disease symptoms and possible treatment options, and found photos and drawings of what it looks like. I bought 4 types of medicine: Esha Exit, Esha 2000, Kusuri wormer plus, and JBL Furanol. These were recommended (on a Norwegian aquarium forum) as the "basic medicines" to have at hand before your fish arrives. Maybe you would chose some other brands in the US. Beware that some medicines will damage the cultures of nitrifying bacteria in the filtre. For the 4 medicines mentioned, I think this only applies to the Furanol. Some medicines are also harmful to snails and shrimp. So far Kusuri is the only one I've made use of, for precautionary IP treatment. One good thing about it (apart from not damaging the filter bacteria), is that it can be added directly to the tank water, as opposed to types that need to be mixed with food. Thus, your fish will be treated even if they are fuzzy eaters or too sick to eat.

Reading cannot substitute practical experience, but trying to be as well educated and prepared as possible is a good start, I believe

Ha! Sounds like my type of research...I'm a marketer by trade, so I'm making my own print puffer-pedia type of book of what I'm learning through the internet and experience. So that I have it on hand, with pics of what diseases look like and all that.

Seriously?? Haha! So do I! My "book" about DPs is currently 70 pages :-O (contains lot's of photos, though)
I'm a researcher by profession - may explain the soooooomewhat nerdy approach to it... Cool to hear that it's not only me!