The Puffer Forum

Hi guys,

I am a occasional silent reader on these forums and I now would like to seek some advice.
I have a 30gal with sand substrate. I have 2 GSPs(1 I bought a bout 6 months ago and the other for about 3 yrs).

Last major change was adding a small GSP from lfs about a week and a half ago. Unfortunately, it died exactly after 1 week after purchase.

Parameters:

Nitrate: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 pm
Ph: 8.2ppm
Ammonia: 0 -.25 ppm (very hard to tell b/c of my lighting)
Temp: 82F (Usually 80-81F)
Semi-Brackish 1.001
Fluval 206 Canister Filter and air bubble stone
Plastic Ornaments and caves

I noticed a somewhat prominent white spots on my 2 GSPs late last week. I kept an eye for it a couple of days and increased salinity and temp to 82f. Now my oldest gsp has dots and a white streak on its side close to the tail. I started daily water changes with 50% on the first day and about 30% for the past 3 days. I started a recommended half dosage of Malachite Green last night without the carbon. Is this ich? And is my approach on tackling this correct?

They both eat healthy with frozen blood worms, freeze dried krill, and some live ghost shrimp and snails.

Appreciate any advice. Thanks.

Update with additional info:

They both ate bloodworms this morning seemed not getting worse. I just got home and noticed my small GSP is curled up(literally) in his cave and dark colored, but is out and about when I turned on the lights. Still a bit discolored even when swimming around.

Hard to tell from your pics but I would not use meds on these fish. See the Salt/Heat method thread in this forum & there is a good article on treating ich in the Hospital section of our Library. Your tank was fully stocked before you added another fish. Now, you need to upgrade & raise the SG.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=28113
library/hospital/fwich/
library/puffers-in-focus/an-introductio ... d-puffers/
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=19348

Thanks PP!

I actually read through the salt/heat method, but was worried to raise the temp and several questions popped in my mind. Since it is currently at 82F, I will raise it to 84F and use the recommended salt. I only have kosher salt, so can I use this instead of the table salt? I have been using Instant Ocean Marine salt to make the water somewhat more brackish.

I guess I use the table(or kosher?) salt in addition to the Instant Ocean? Or just the recommended salt during treatment and then switch back to Instant Ocean? Should I also do a water change and add back the carbon since I already started a little bit of treatment with Malachite Green, and if so how much.

Much appreciated for your advice.

Just an update.

I have kept the temp at 84F and referred to the heat/salt treatment since my last post and they seem to get better. The white spots has rescinded for the most part, I did see it appear every now and then. At times they are somewhat dark colored/heavy breathing near the impeller&heater, but seemed better overall, normal, and attentive when I approach the tank. They also seem normal when my family is in the living room(where the tank is located) and looks like they want to participate with them.

I plan on stopping the treatment this weekend and resume normal temps and water changes. Anything else I should keep my eye on?