Skinny Figure 8's
Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 9:00 pm
Hey all,
I am wondering if my puffers are skinnier than they should be. I have been keeping them for a year and thought they were fine since they eat like horses, are very active, and their poo is consistently black. I lost the smallest one (Marshmallow) about 6 months ago when I suddenly noticed how thin he was, his sides tapered in and his stomach was quite concave. I was not paying attention to his eating, I tossed in food but sometimes noticed that he did not go after it. I had read that puffers should not have bulging bellies, but I think I took that to mean they should be flat. Well, after I lost him, I got 2 more and noticed that these guys were much bigger than the others that I had in my tank. I assumed the lfs was overfeeding as they swam really slowly. Well, 6 months later, those big fat guys are now slimmer and the smallest one I have is starting to get that tapered tail look as well.
Here is the story:
4 figure 8's
36 gallon, lots of decor
2 aquaclear 70's
50-75% wc once a week
1.008ish brackish
Caribsea substrate
80 temp, 0 am 0 ni and 10-20 nitrates after a week
Fed bloodworms, krill and snails (when i get breed enough of them) once a day
I noticed that even after their bellies are round from eating they are still at the top of the tank begging for food. And, 24hrs later their bellies are flat/concave.
From reading more here, it sounds like it might be IPs. I have prazipro and could soak bloodworms if that is the treatment. I guess I was wondering if it is possible to have IPs for so long (6-12 months) and if there are any other symptoms with IPs other than a flat belly in less than a day.
I am wondering if my puffers are skinnier than they should be. I have been keeping them for a year and thought they were fine since they eat like horses, are very active, and their poo is consistently black. I lost the smallest one (Marshmallow) about 6 months ago when I suddenly noticed how thin he was, his sides tapered in and his stomach was quite concave. I was not paying attention to his eating, I tossed in food but sometimes noticed that he did not go after it. I had read that puffers should not have bulging bellies, but I think I took that to mean they should be flat. Well, after I lost him, I got 2 more and noticed that these guys were much bigger than the others that I had in my tank. I assumed the lfs was overfeeding as they swam really slowly. Well, 6 months later, those big fat guys are now slimmer and the smallest one I have is starting to get that tapered tail look as well.
Here is the story:
4 figure 8's
36 gallon, lots of decor
2 aquaclear 70's
50-75% wc once a week
1.008ish brackish
Caribsea substrate
80 temp, 0 am 0 ni and 10-20 nitrates after a week
Fed bloodworms, krill and snails (when i get breed enough of them) once a day
I noticed that even after their bellies are round from eating they are still at the top of the tank begging for food. And, 24hrs later their bellies are flat/concave.
From reading more here, it sounds like it might be IPs. I have prazipro and could soak bloodworms if that is the treatment. I guess I was wondering if it is possible to have IPs for so long (6-12 months) and if there are any other symptoms with IPs other than a flat belly in less than a day.