The Puffer Forum

Hi, puffer people! I’m new to the forum, and have an urgent question about an Amazon puffer (South American, Bumblebee, etc.).
I’ve owned many dwarf puffers in the past and once got two amazons, but have lost them to internal parasites (one DOA, the other in a week). I cannot seem to battle the inevitability of parasites, even with the utmost care.
I went to the LFS on Sunday, who had a large stock of healthy and active puffers, all roughly 2-3 inches. Having done enough research to know the ins and outs of these guys, I decided to give it a go, and purchased one. I introduced her to my well-established community/semi-aggressive tank, and she immediately took a home towards the bottom.
Unfortunately, after a few days, she doesn’t seem to be acting as convivially as I know these species should. Though active, she has trouble against the filter’s current.
She does act curious, but never eats, even when I’ve isolated her with the food. I’ve tried bloodworms and snails, but they became food for the other fish.
The tank was cleaned today, and she seemed to perk up, but not for long.
She is in a 60 gallon aquarium, with various tetras, tiger barbs, silver dollars, corys, a bristlenose pleco, an opal gourami, a rainbow shark, a cobalt blue crayfish, rainbowfish, giant danios, and a juvenile Bala (I know, I know!). They all are very well established and interactive. A recent addition was two kribs, who I just discovered had a whole brood of fry!
The problem is that although the fish tend to keep to themselves, the gourami and danios relentlessly bite at the puffer’s cadual fin! The bigger problem is that the puffer just lets them nip at him!
I recently noticed him becoming skinnier, and his stomach has black veins all over. He seems to be losing his striking yellow and black bands, too!
I’ll try to post a picture soon. I seem to be noticing this early, but need to know how to eliminate the possible parasites.
Please give any suggestions and advice — I do not want to lose him to parasites the way I have with others!
Sorry for the lengthy post. Just wanted to give as much information as possible!

the gourami and danios relentlessly bite at the puffer’s caudal fin!

I think you already answer your own question. These sweet puffers (as most puffers) do not do well in a community tank.

I do agree with that. She seems more active when the other fish are asleep. I will try to get her into her own tank soon. However, as far as her seeming sick goes, I have no clue. She doesn’t look like she has IPs, but certainly acts like it. I’ll try to post a picture soon. I have been worried about her with the other fish or a while, and have been planning another aquarium for the puffer.

That poor tail definitely looks inflamed! Possible bacterial infection. You could start by adding Melafix to the tank but I'd get him on his own, ASAP. They do prefer to live in groups though.

I completely agree! I would have gotten more, but these guys were on the expensive side. They all looked healthy and active in the store, so I think she's stressed from the lack of other puffers. I am going to use Melafix, but in her own enclosure, as the medicine often kills gouramis and other labyrinth fish. I'm putting in a tank divider for now, because I don't have a cycling tank yet, and want to do everything right.
I certainly hope a divider will help her eating problems. I've attempted separating her in a breeder net for eating, but it only stressed her more. If she still isn't eating when alone and becomes worse, I'll try the garlic juice method, unless there are better methods out there?
Thanks for your help! I'll be sure to keep you up to date with everything! Hopefully she perks up!

Update: She has made a home where the breeding kribs are, and seems to be the only fish they don’t chase away. They get along great. The only problem — she won’t eat a bloodworm if it hit her in the head (literally!) Same goes for snails! As she glass surfs, she bumps into a snail, inspects it, and moves on. It seems as though the stress clock is ticking, and it’s ticking fast!

Try crushing the snail. I had to put mine in a breeding net with the snails.

Will do! Thanks a lot for the tips!
I’ll try to nurture her back to health. I’ll keep you posted on how she does. Thankfully, she fights against the current and filter, so I know she is still a strong swimmer. Not sure if there are IPs yet, but it seems more like a stress issue.

Update: Even away from harassment, and with the bloodworms, she is getting worse. The black marks on her belly and lack of color are really showing, and there is inflammation by the anal fin. She doesn’t even care about the worms, even when it is right in front of her, and all she does is lethargically stay towards the top. I do not want to lose her, but based on past experiences, this feels inevitable.
Please help!!!

It is possible she is too far gone from the stress, which has compromised her immune system. You could post here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/220024505125640/

Thanks for the advice! I'm not confident she'll make it. I've been worried sick about her, and it seems as though separation isn't doing anything...
I had all the information for the puffer's care, but the stress factor never crossed my mind...

Sadly, I woke up this morning to have found her dead. I only wish I had taken more care before the other fish attacked her. Even having her for just a week, the tank seemed to have become even more lively and fun with a puffer.

RIP Irma the Amazon pufferfish...