The Puffer Forum

Hi,

This is Bowser, my Congo puffer. Lately, I've been noticing him glass surfing, pressing his mouth against the glass quite hard, trying to bite the glass. It looks like he's targeting this white spot on his lips with pressure against the glass. It seems to be irritating him / causing him stress. Does anyone have any idea what this could be? It's the only abnormality anywhere on his body. He eats fine and behaves normally aside from daily, albeit limited, glass surfing (an hour or so max per day). Water quality is good, as close to zero ammonia as possible with safe levels of nitrates / nitrites. I have 40 gallons worth of filtration on my 20 gallon tank plus weekly 30 - 40% water changes and tank cleaning. Hardness, pH, temperature, and alkalinity are all appropriate. All the live food I give him including ghost shrimp, guppies, and crayfish, and either bred or kept in my other tanks to ensure good health.

The only other factor there is would be occasional liquid nutrients in the water, since my tank is entirely planted. I'm careful with the amounts and have been using them for quite some time with no adverse effects plus many fish keepers I know have confirmed their safeness over time.

You can see in the picture provided the white spot, which has been increasing in prominence the past week or so. Directly in the middle of his lips/mouth. Thank you so much for any feedback at all is much appreciated I'm worried about my puffer!

Vin

I think he looks fantastic! You could add Melafix & see if that gets rid of the spot.

I agree with Pufferpunk, he looks great, and is a beautiful fish.
Did the "glass kissing" start before the spot appeared or after.
The question is: Is the behavior the cause or the result?
It looks like a bruise or scar from an old injury.
I'd go with the Melafix (for possible infection) also, and Pimafix, in case it is (or turns out to be) a fungal problem.
With either or both, be sure to add an airstone, as these medications decrease the oxygen level in the water.
As far as your water parameters, some work needs to be done there.
ANY ammonia and ANY nitrite is bad thing, there are really no safe levels.
They also indicate that the tank is not cycled, which may be the root cause of the spot.
Bowser will be affected as such, and it will be harder to solve any problem with those levels higher than zero.
What kind of test kit are you using (liquid or "strips")?
Both of my Congo Puffers were occasional "glass kissers", but never seemed to do any harm to themselves as a result of it.

Thanks for all the responses! I really appreciate it. I'm treating him with Melafix, and have some fungus medicine on standby. Just to provide a better picture at the white spot, I'm posting this here. Hopefully this doesn't change what you guys think of his condition.

I wouldn't be alarmed about it as it is, unless it gets red or fuzzy or swollen or spreads
what about the test kits, what kind?
got figures for the parameters?
let's see 'um............
also, some answers to the questions in my post above
let's hear the whole deal, c'mon!

That's one really nice-looking Congo, vince106.

I'll agree with the previous posters on watching for any possible infection.

How long has the "spot" been visible ? Did it perhaps start after a rowdy feeding ?

Any chance this is a slice wound from a ticked-off prey item ( crayfish, crab, etc....) ?

I'd ease off on any larger sized, live food items for few days.

Is your Congo a "yawner" ? Perhaps you can get a close-up lip image when he's opened wide.

Good luck, and please keep us up to date.

grup wrote:That's one really nice-looking Congo, vince106.

I'll agree with the previous posters on watching for any possible infection.

How long has the "spot" been visible ? Did it perhaps start after a rowdy feeding ?

Any chance this is a slice wound from a ticked-off prey item ( crayfish, crab, etc....) ?

I'd ease off on any larger sized, live food items for few days.

Is your Congo a "yawner" ? Perhaps you can get a close-up lip image when he's opened wide.

Good luck, and please keep us up to date.

Yes my puffer is a yawner. I'll try to snap a pic of him yawning. I've seen him yawn up close and never noticed anything abnormal in his mouth as far as signs of infections. It is possible its a scar or callus from either something he ate or just from glass surfing over time. I've been going through old pictures of him and I now believe this spot has been there just about since I got him. It has become more prominent over time which is why I noticed it. I believe it may be an effect of glass surfing rather than cause at this time due to that. I treated him with Melafix and Pimafix now for a week and a half and the spot hasn't changed nor has his behavior.

Eieio,

I'm sorry I didn't totally answer your post above - I made the post you see above prematurely then wrote another post answering all your questions. I'm still waiting for it to go through the admin filter so I'll give it some time before I become redundant...

This is an old picture of Bowser, you can see the spot is there as it is today only less white and noticeable. Flipping through his pictures I see it becoming more noticeable over the period of months. This particular picture is about 2 months ago.

Just have to say, he looks like a Bowser

I want a Congo!

Hi guys,

Bowser's white spot seems to be fading away. His behavior continues to be normal. Still a funny looking blimp - like sand creature with a big appetite. I think he was fine all this time, maybe a little of an overreaction but I wouldn't want anything to happen to my little monster.

Anyhow, I thought I'd share a picture of Bowser defending Bowser's castle. Because it's Bowser defending Bowser's castle. Thanks for all the replies everyone! Hope everyone had a great holiday and new years.

Great shot!

Happy New Year to you and to King Bowser

I thought it would be worth mentioning - I have cured Bowser's case of glass surfing!

If your fish has been cleared of possible illness, is given proper care of water with correct parameters, and has a sufficient environment and diet - but still exhibits glass surfing behavior - try getting an aquarium fan to simulate freshwater current.

I got Bowser a fan two weeks ago and the glass surfing instantly ceased. The fan gives him a current to play with and has made a big difference in his behavior. No glass surfing at all. Except when I change his water and turn the fan off, he has a tantrum . Worth a shot though if anyone is having a similar problem.