The Puffer Forum

My 2 inch Ceylon Puffer managed to jump through a 3 inch opening on the back of his tank this morning. I am assuming he was out for about 2-3 hours already when he was found. He was dried out a little bit but was still somewhat moist underneath. I have since covered the opening and returned him to the tank (he was the only inhabitant minus some hermits and snails) and he is swimming around okay but obviously a bit weak. He is shedding his slime coat and his eyes are glazed.

I have since added Melafix to the tank and shut off the light.

What do you think are his chances to recover?

Poor guy! Is he breathing?

Yeah the little guy is still alive. Seems to swim okay but is quite disoriented and bumping into things. I had to hold the food up to his face with some chopsticks but he did manage to nibble on some shrimp and ate half a pea I offered. I hope the ordeal didn't destroy his vision.

Puffers are quite resilient!

I think it'll pull through none the worse for wear. It sounds like you saved him with some good care just in time.

If it makes you feel any better, I had a juvenile clownfish launch itself out of the tank and land in a cup iced coke zero (cant make this stuff up) about 3 feet away. lets see...78 degrees to 38ish and 8.3pH to 3.0 or so instantly. It survived also but was in shock for a long time. So was I for that matter. I thought that guy was dead for certain.

Just continue your good care and all should be well.

For what its worth he didn't make it through the night.

i'm so sorry... I thought he might have been out for too long.

I'm very sorry to hear of your loss of your fish friend. All puffers are marvellous beings.

They are indeed. What is bad is I had a bigger tank that I was preparing to set up for him. I had hope since he perked up and ate a bit last night. The sudden loss is gonna sting for a while.

I know how sad it can be to lose a fish, especially one with personality like a puffer or cichlid.