The Puffer Forum

Hi all First time posting just gutted it’s about my sick mbu.

I’m at a loss as to what to do. I have a 22 inch mbu he’s currently in an 8ft x3ft deep x2ft aquarium.

In December I took him to the vets to have his teeth trimmed this was as a precaution as my wife and I were off on our honeymoon for a month. He hasn’t been 100% since

I sent the tank up on a drip system which filters through HMA and nitrate filter before entering the tank. This worked well when I was away coming home with perameters of 0-0-10 which it always was as I have 10ppm nitrates in my tapwater.

My old man fed him while we were away and said he wasn’t his usual self at feeding time. We put this down to alternate feeding times due to the old man having to travel to get here every day.

Last week he went back to sitting in the corner of the tank and eating when and if he wanted too he’s done this a few time over the 3 years we’ve had him so I didn’t think much of it. However 2 days ago he started to constantly swim around the tank at times just bumping into the glass I did a big water change which didn’t make too much difference and he has since gone off his food. This morning he was still swimming about however now he is led on the bottom of the tank on one side. I can now see he has developed a lump behind his fin on one side of his body.

Tank perameters as always are 0-0-10 ph is 7.5. I have turned off the drip system for now as this morning he was swimming as if he was showing signs of ammonia posioning and will just do normal water changes instead. As I know the ammonia is 0 I thought maybe the hma filter wasn’t doing the job it should be.

With the lump now I’m thinking maybe something different obviously internal. But he’s shown no signs of internal parasites.

I will try and upload some pictures but it is very strange how he’s gone down hill so quickly.

I am currently doing a big water change just to make sure it’s nothing in the water but my gut is saying internal. If anyone has any ideas I’d be greatful really don’t want to loose this dude. He’s an amazingly placid guy for a mbu.

All other tank mates are fine at present.

You say he hasn't been the same since the dentistry? Have you asked the vet to tell you what he used to tranq the fish & how long he had been out? Could be brain damage.

I can now see he has developed a lump behind his fin on one side of his body.

With the lump now I’m thinking maybe something different obviously internal. But he’s shown no signs of internal parasites.

your story sounds really similar to mine, I posted the same thing just 5 days ago hereviewtopic.php?f=3&t=36775

My MBU was belly up and had a lump on his right side behind his fin. So I started treating with Epsom Salt and Flubendanzole.
He is now much much better.

Do you have a microscope? You could check for nematodes.

I don’t have a microscope no. I did read your post and thought it was similar. I did go to my local Lfs earlier although they didn’t want to speculate on the lump I did show them photos I’d taken where I’d notice red veins on the anal fin and tail. Currently treating for bacterial infection because of this if no improvement tomorrow I will look at treating for internal parasite.

what kind of antibiotic do you use? I couldn't find a good one at my lfs. Some medications contain copper and scaleless fish like puffers are quite sensitive too it.
Is the lump on the right side or left?
Maybe you could upload the pics and someone here can have look at it.

I used acriflavin was recommend by the lfs who used it on there mbu in store. It’s a koi treatment but the mbu reacted to it better than melafix.

The lump is on his left hand.

https://ibb.co/nsja5n
https://ibb.co/jwo2kn

Poor guy! Is he always laying on his side? Is it possible he swallowed some air?
Melafix is only an "antiseptic" & does not cure disease. It will help if used in unison with meds & will enhance healing. It is only for light issues, like tears in the fins, etc.

Hi pufferpunk. Thanks for the reply. He’s still hanging on in there. He’s not look good tho he’s still on his side he has been for about 24hours now. He does attempt to swim however he’s very disorinatntaed and bumps into the glass a lot.

Last hour he’s spent a lot of time near the surface of the tank ranther than at the bottom. His breathing still seems ok. However all his fins now have red veins and his tail has some small lumps that have appeared.

The lump feels hard to touch didn’t want to push on it hard tho just in case hard to see when he would have take in air from unless he went after the airstone.

See picture if anal fin and tail below.

Anti bacterial treatment has been in the tank for 24)874: now and I would say he’s been about the same all day gone down hill a little in the last hour.

https://ibb.co/bKzegS
https://ibb.co/jppO87

If anyone has any further ideas I’d be greatful.

That fin doesn't look bad. When he's near the surface, is he also on his back?

I know acriflavin. If I remember correctly it only treats external issues (?) but not sure, have to check. That stuff stains like crazy. Wear gloves

Is it possible he swallowed some air?

How would you treat that if that's the case?

the tail and fins look okay to me. My puffer had this veins when he was healthy.

I would get some epsom salt or known as magnesium sulfate if possible. You can get it at any pharmacy for around 2 Euros or 3 pounds.
Has anti-inflammatory properties and is a mild laxative.

he is on he side at the top aswell

The fin picture was taken yesterday and he only had veining on his anal fin and tail yesterday. All his fins seem to be reder today and veins showing. I can’t get a good picture tho.


https://ibb.co/i7zFo7
https://ibb.co/emNoan

Can see how much his fins have turned red this has happened in the last few hours. He’s finally taken a rest from trying to swim to get a picture.

https://ibb.co/jiPWT7

I am inclined to think he may have swallowed some air. Are you treating for antibiotics for the fins?

I am currently treating with antibiotics for the fins. Is there anything I can do if it is air. How would he even take the air on?