Hairy puffer fish white ring on body
Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 4:05 pm
Hi,
My hairy pufferfish Harold of a little over 5 years has recently come down with this unpleasant looking white ring on his body near his mouth area that I'm just not certain about. I can't seem to positively identify what's going on. Before I go into more detail, here's a bit of metadata that could be helpful:
- 0 ammonia and nitrite in the tank
- less than 5ppm nitrate in the tank
- 15 gallon tank, single puffer fish (no tank mates that aren't food)
- fed two to three times a week, typically earth worms, ghost shrimp, and snails
- 50% water change conducted weekly
- tank deep cleaning conducted every two to four weeks (cleaning of gravel, walls, rocks, etc.)
- aquarium has been running for over 5 years now with no issues
- usually kept around 80 degrees
When I noticed this issue last Sunday (3 days ago) I tested the water right away and found that it had a slight ammonia and nitrate spike, which is especially odd because I conducted my weekly water change the day before on Saturday and noticed no issues.
However Saturday I flipped over some of my algae covered rocks for the second or third time, experimenting with the theory that cutting the algae off from light would be a quick and easy way to get rid of it. Regrettably I didn't think to consider what that may do to the water, so I think the sudden mass algae death caused an ammonia spike, which may have led Harold to his state now.
Anyhow, however I may have got to this point, I'm hoping for some insight on the best path forward.
I've done multiple huge water changes now and believe I've stabilized the water parameters (testing daily).
I've been treating Harold with Pimafix and Melafix daily since Sunday but haven't noticed any tangible change in his appearance.
I will mention that his behavior seems unchanged, and he ate on Saturday as he usually does. I'm worried about him.
Does anyone have any idea on what it may be, or any thoughts on the best way to fix it?
Thanks
Evan
My hairy pufferfish Harold of a little over 5 years has recently come down with this unpleasant looking white ring on his body near his mouth area that I'm just not certain about. I can't seem to positively identify what's going on. Before I go into more detail, here's a bit of metadata that could be helpful:
- 0 ammonia and nitrite in the tank
- less than 5ppm nitrate in the tank
- 15 gallon tank, single puffer fish (no tank mates that aren't food)
- fed two to three times a week, typically earth worms, ghost shrimp, and snails
- 50% water change conducted weekly
- tank deep cleaning conducted every two to four weeks (cleaning of gravel, walls, rocks, etc.)
- aquarium has been running for over 5 years now with no issues
- usually kept around 80 degrees
When I noticed this issue last Sunday (3 days ago) I tested the water right away and found that it had a slight ammonia and nitrate spike, which is especially odd because I conducted my weekly water change the day before on Saturday and noticed no issues.
However Saturday I flipped over some of my algae covered rocks for the second or third time, experimenting with the theory that cutting the algae off from light would be a quick and easy way to get rid of it. Regrettably I didn't think to consider what that may do to the water, so I think the sudden mass algae death caused an ammonia spike, which may have led Harold to his state now.
Anyhow, however I may have got to this point, I'm hoping for some insight on the best path forward.
I've done multiple huge water changes now and believe I've stabilized the water parameters (testing daily).
I've been treating Harold with Pimafix and Melafix daily since Sunday but haven't noticed any tangible change in his appearance.
I will mention that his behavior seems unchanged, and he ate on Saturday as he usually does. I'm worried about him.
Does anyone have any idea on what it may be, or any thoughts on the best way to fix it?
Thanks
Evan