The Puffer Forum

I have a 2 inch GSP that has a light pinkish growth on the edge of the fin on his belly. It started about a month ago...seemed to be going away and now is getting worse. It is about 3mm in diameter, is hanging off his body and sort of fluffy looking. It almost looks like a piece of cooked shrimp after being thawed. I have been trying to look up cysts or growths, but can't find anything similar. I am very worried because it looks like it may be attacking his fin from the base of it. It actually looks like 1 mm or so of his fin starting to come off at the base. I can't get a picture so far but will keep trying.

There is nothing oozing or trailing and the puffer has been acting normal until today. He is not doing anything too strange....just staying at the top of the tank and hanging out.

I have two GSPs which are about 2 inches, 2 small mollies and one other fish that I can't identify.

They are fed primarily frozen blood worms, chunks of prawns and occasionally, snails.

I do a 40 - 50 % water change every 3-4 weeks.

I've had all of the fish for 2 years and the tank has been very stable with no problems to date...other than the second GSP eating a mollie this week!!!

Ammo 0
Nit 0
Nitrate minimal to zero
Ph 7.9
Salinity - .0010

Please help!! Not sure what to medicate with...and please direct me to information on setting up, and maintaining a hospital tank. I'll go and pick one up tomorrow. I've been lucky [and very careful] and have never had a sick fish.

Forgot to add....my tank is a 60 Gallon.

Thanks

Any chance you can post a pic of the growth?

Please confirm you're water parameters. SG of 1.0010 is practically FW. Could it be that you meant to type 1.010? Also, I would expect to see higher nitrate readings given you water change intervals. Are you using liquid test kits or test strips?

Sorry, yes...you're correct my SG is .010. Also, my nitrate reading was zero this week....I have had it register slightly in the past. I'm using a liquid testing kit.

Going to try to take photos again...

Hope this works....you can barely see it, but if you look at his lower fin you'll see a pinkish blob. I'll try to get another photo....he does not like the flash.

More water changes and using melafix and pimafix is a good general start. If there's no improvement from that you can look into other medications.

Thanks, I'll do more water changes. I thought I was doing okay given that my water tests show almost perfect each week.

I assume that in suggesting melafix and pimafix, you think it's some sort of bacterial or fungal infection?

Sorry, one more question about using melafix and pimafix. I'm thinking that I should buy and set-up a hospital tank today for the medication period. It seems to make more sense than to medicate all of my fish, remove the charcoal and risking having to establish the tank again [no bio-spira in my area].

Does this make sense or I worried for nothing?

Both those meds are natural & won't harm your biological filtration. Remove carbon. Actually I never use any, unless for removing meds, which I rarely use.

Melafix & Pimafix ftw. The big 1-2 punch in curing minor illness.

If the melafix and pimafix don't have an effect after a week or so and it still seems to be getting worse and other more powerful emds are in order than a hospital tank would be a good idea.

Another little question. Your tests seem really off. You should be seeing some nitrates. I'd take a water sample to the LFS and have them test it. Your kits may be bad.

Also, how do you check your salinity? If you use a hydrometer it could be way off and you'd have no way of knowing. Have the LFS test your SG as well, and maybe look into a refractometer. I guarentee it's worth it and they can be found pretty cheap on ebay.

I had to go to the fs today for some supplies and ended up buying a 6 gallon hospital tank anyway. I figure it's good to have around for any future quarantines or illnesses.

I also bought Melafix & Pimafix and will move the puffer over today. I filled it using water from my large tank and moved over some substrate and filter media.

Thank you so much for your help. I hope all goes well!

QUESTION...How long should I keep the puffer in the hospital tank under medication? The bottle says 1 week without cleaning. Does this sound right? If there is no change I suppose I'll leave him in for another week?

Thanks!

Oops, sorry Phaedrus....your reply same as I was writing my last message.

Yup, I'll keep him in the small tank for a week and see how it goes.

I do see some nitrates, however , it is always very low. I will tes myself today and then bring in a water sample tomorrow...see what's going on.

Are puffers prone to tumors? I looks like a tumor or cyst.

I do use a hydrometer to measure the salinity. I'll look into finding a refractometer...didn't even know they exist. The FS's in my area have little knowledge about puffers and brackish water. I use this and other sites to learn about keeping them healthy and happy.

To answer your question from this thread: http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/vie ... highlight=

Moving filter material from a cycled tank into a new tank can be a good way to quickly cycle the tank, but depending on how much material you bring over and how much bacteria it has on it, you may see a mini-cycle.

Since it's a 10 gallon hospital tank it shouldn't be too difficult to do very large daily water changes. Don't worry about the fact you are removing the melafix and pimafix at the same time, simply redose at the recommended dosages to get it back to strength.

Thanks so much for your help! I'll update you on my progress.