The Puffer Forum

Hi, I’m in dire need of advice on my Fahaka Pufferfish. She’s been very lethargic, breathing rapidly and not eating for the past 3 days which seemed to be a sudden change over night. She is usually a very active puffer chasing me every time I walk into the room and has a great appetite. I used Prazipro when I first got her about 2 months ago to deworm. And haven’t noticed any signs of IP since I’ve brought her home. She’s spent her last few days lying around hiding between plants, only to come out occasionally for a few minutes. I did a 50% water change the last 2 days and added a dose of Prazipro to make sure it wasn’t IP. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

PH: 7.6
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: <5

She is currently in a 75 gallon with a plan to move her into my 180 once it’s finished cycling. She’s currently 3.5 inches and has 5 hillstream loaches in the tank with her.

She gets a 20%-50% water change weekly. Her diet consists of beef heart, shrimp and blood worms (she won’t eat anything but that). The tank has been cycling for about 8 months and the only medication used so far is the Prazipro (yesterday). I also added a second aeration stone since she is breathing heavily. No changes have been made to the tank besides the brand of blood worms used to feed and filling the co2 tank.

How large is she? She should be eating crunchier foods. FW fish do not drink water, so it is a waste to add Prazi to the water column. It must be in their food. Please don't medicate without symptoms.
"The tank has been cycling for about 8 months" I assume you meant it's BEEN cycled for 8 months?
To instantly cycle the 180, just move all media, decor, substrate as you can to the 180.

https://www.pufferfishenthusiastsworldw ... care-sheet
library/feeding/feeding-your-puffers/
library/feeding/problems-feeding-your-puffer/
library/water-filtration/emergencycycle/