The Puffer Forum

Age: 7 months
Diet: krill, bloodworms, squid, beefheart
Size: 4”
Tank size: 75g

Parameters:
PH - 7.6
Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - 0

I got him as a fry, he was about an inch long. He’s been in a 75 gallon ( have a 180 cycling) his entire life with tons of stuff to explore, etc. feed him twice a day and each meal is a different food. Currently treating him for external parasites with prazipro due to a red spot on his pectoral fin. His eyes seem proportionate, and his back seems not very curved.

Could I’d be parasites? I treated him when brought home from the lfs.

He seems happy, and stomach is not sunken in, doesn’t seem stressed either.

Any ideas? Just curious as to why he hasn’t grown too much?

Or could it be the tank size?

Hard to believe there is no nitrate. What test kits are you using?
I have a fahaka that is 4 years old & only about 7". Got him at the same size as yours (1" is not a fry, it is considered a juvenile) & he was living in a 120g. Since he stopped growing, I moved him into a much smaller tank. He's very happy in there.

I do not believe the red spot is a parasite. Please post pics, I'd like to see that & also his back.

Below 5.0ppm sounds better, haha.

I’ve been treating him with prazipro, the red spot has almost gone away in the last few days.

I’ll to get some decent pics for you.

Here’s some pics
https://imgur.com/a/FSHd9bp

I'm interested in seeing the bent spine.

Click the Imgur link above…..

I did

Oh, ok. Then I guess his spine isn’t arched then if you didn’t notice. Any foods that are good to promote growth?

Ok, So he passed some white stringy poop, best thing to treat and best way to dose for internal parasites safely?

library/hospital/internal-parasites-pre ... treatment/
Find Discomed here: https://www.americanaquariumproducts.co ... l#discomed

I got some metroplex, was wondering if this was acceptable without focus or some kind of binder?

That is antibacterial, not parasite.
viewtopic.php?t=7

Weird, I poked around a little bit and some say it’s a good/safe treatment for internal parasites.

An update: he passed a huge tapeworm about 3” long

I gave you links about the best meds to use.