The Puffer Forum

Good afternoon!

Our ~7 year old GSP has had a rough couple of weeks. He hasn't eaten, aside from a tiny bit of mussel today, for at least two weeks. He's not interested in anything that goes in his tank. He ate some fish last week and promptly regurgitated it all.
He is now breathing very heavily/rapidly. He is generally languishing in one corner of his tank, looking grey and sad, though he will swim and does still have the brighter patch on the top of his head.

Just over a year ago we posted regarding a cavity on his head (viewtopic.php?t=37677). We took the amazing advice we received and treated him with Myxazin, it cleared up. In the last month or so, there has been a raised bump where the cavity was. We have tried another course of the Myxazin but to no avail.

Are we missing something? We have checked the parameters (below) and have done weekly 25% water changes, but he just seems to be going downhill. Him eating a little today is great but he just looks so sad and unhealthy. He is still round, just grey and disinterested..

Thank you for any help/guidance!

1) Your water parameters - High Range PH: 7.8, Nitrite: 0, Nitrates: Less than 5, Ammonia: 0, Salinity: 1.008
2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants - 125L, just the one GSP, external Eheim Professional 4+
3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank - recently 25% changes weekly, previously 25% monthly, salt used H2Ocean Pro. We've used Myxazin in the last 2 weeks (for a one week course). He eats fish, cockles, crayfish and scallops, 3-4 times weekly, plus mealworms
4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so - None
5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? Tony has been alone in this tank around 5/6 years, before that he was in a smaller tank. We cycled this one for around 2 weeks (if I recall correctly), adding his other tank water, some Prime, and that's all. He was fresh water when we got him (were told he could stay that way). Now I guess low-end brackish at 1.008?

Adult GSPs require high-end BW-SW. Try getting him at least up to 1.015. That may help strengthen his immune system.
Can you post a pic?

Thanks, Pufferpunk.

Would he suddenly decide it wasn't salty enough and get sick/go off his food?

Tried some photos - he hates the camera but you can see the white lump above his right eye (apologies about the little lights - the Christmas tree is by his tank, he usually loves it and spends hours swimming up and down the glass when it's up but nothing this year)..

He doesn't look skinny. Lower SG can compromise their immune system. Is this the same as the previous wound started?

Yep, exactly the same place, only this time it's growing out rather than creating a cavity.

Oh he's definitely not skinny..! Is that a good sign?

Sure, it's a good sign. I would try Meth Blue baths:
https://www.pufferfishenthusiastsworldw ... blue-baths

Thanks, we'll take a look at that.

He's just had some mussel to eat, and we have done 2 x 30l water changes since Friday, with a slight salt increase, so we'll keep going with that, too..

Thank you so much for your time and help - I'll keep you posted

Hi! I just wanted to check back in to say a huge thank you, once again, for helping so much with our Tony - he now seems fully recovered and is back to his spunky self!

Thank you so much, we'd have lost him years ago without this forum!

YAY! What did you use to help him!
This forum is run by donations.

We did the meth blue baths - he hated it but it worked! And we have increased the salinity, too!

Ooo how do we donate?

It's ok - found the button at the top!

I don't think payment went thru?