The Puffer Forum

Hi all!

Created a thread in FishProfiles, so thought of putting up one here as well.

I have (or rather, my Father-in-law has) a Nile Puffer who hasn't been eating much.

Diagnosed with Internal Parasites (refer to this thread http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forum ... 60689.html).

Problem is, I can't find the necessary meds in KL Malaysia. Anybody out there can help?

Also, I'm tempted to soak some micro pellets with the standard off-the-shelf fish meds and then force-feed to the Puffer (using those "baby medicine" injectors) - would it work?

Thanks in advance!

Force feeding does work but has its risks and is generally reserved for cases where the fish is not eating at all. Use a syringe with a soft tip, about 3" long. You need to gently get it past the throat flap and a bit down the throat. The tricky part is doing it without letting the fish puff. If it does, it will expell all the food as well.

I see that PufferPunk is giving you advice over there and it's good. The only thing I can add is check with a local veterinarian for the meds mentioned.

What has it been eating?

I would attach a syringe to soft tubing, long enough to get all the way into the stomach.

Local vet eh? Will try that!

On force-feeding ... well, looks like I'm going to have to force-feed 'cos the puffer ain't eating (much). The 4-footer is full of ghost shrimps for over 2 weeks, so it looks like he's not eating.

Thanks for all the advice! Will update!

Hi RazorBlade,

I'm living in Singapore and I used Ocean Free "Super Anti-Internal Parasites" to treat my fahaka who had the problem.

See him before and after treatment here.

I saw your pictures. Beautiful fella, I must say. But you have to treat quickly b'cos it is already very thin. As long as it is eating, you would be able to get the medication into its stomach. It took about two weeks before my fahaka was cleared of parasites. I used a very low dosage at first by dipping the food in the medication. Soaking didn't work b'cos my fahaka would taste the medication and spit the food out! I increased the dosage slowly day by day.

All the best!

My god!! Skeletor looked more like a twig than a comic-book villain!
If that's not encouragement for you, Razorblade, I don't know what is.
Hope he makes it.
Pami.

Thanks Cindy! And great work on your puffer (Skeletor)! Looks like a handsome fella!

I've been looking around, but can't find Ocean Free Anti-Internal Parasite (they've got Anti-External meds though). Probably under a different name, but even their website (http://www.qianhu.com) doesn't have it. They do have a 'Kill Parasite' med though - will try that.

Update: The puffer has been eating a bit more nowadays, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Probably the earlier meds did their work. Keeping him on observation.