The Puffer Forum

I got an emergency puffercall today. Porcpuff (so they say...) in a 125g tank. Suddenly stopped eating, laying on the bottom on it's side. No test kit on hand (the gall calling is someone I've dealt with in the reef club--will test tomorrow). Elderly lady owner--loves her porky. Doesn't think she's been doing any kind of "regular" water changes. Is worried about the teeth. Only been feeding shrimp.

I don't think if it was the teeth, it would just suddenly stop eating. I'm thinking water parameters. If the puffer's been in this tank for 5-7 years (I can't remember now), w/o many water changes, it's gotta be the water parameters. More info tomorrow, I guess.[/i]

Could also be caused by bad food or something environmental such as insecticides or other chemicals. The fact that she has not been performing routine water changes over the years might be a contributing factor but I'd expect symptoms to appear over a period of days or weeks rather than all of a sudden. Either way, good luck Doctor PP!

Um... should I charge her (especially if I have to trim teeth) or is this just something hobbyists do for each other? It's about 15 miles from here. I do owe the gal that called me... She gave me a ton of frags for really cheap. Not too sure of their relationship--I don't think they're that close.

If you do tank maintenance as a primary or side job, then reasonable charges for your services should be expected. Otherwise, this is they type of assistance that most of us provide to fellow fish and reef keepers in our local areas. If you are gong to charge for the visit, make sure they are aware of that in advance to avoid an awkward situation when you hold your hand out at the end of the visit.


Personally, I would do the first visit for free or for a nominal fuel charge and offer to assist with regular tank maintenance in the future at a mutually agreeable rate. Since she is "elderly" and has not been performing routine water changes, it sounds like she might be interested in purchasing routine maintenance support.

I was thinking I wouldn't actually charge her but wouldn't turn down any offers. Especially w/the price of gas!

I'd do the same PP. I'm too proud to beg, but I'm not too proud to accept a donation.

Saw the puffer today. What a sad sight! Puffer was on it's side, barely breathing. This is a real crime. No WC for 6 months. All filters stagnant & unplugged but still connected to tank, so the stagnant rancid water was leeching into the tank (OMG the smell!). Couldn't even test for nitrates--off the chart. Ca was 200. Cabinet could barely open, cause there was so much salt on the sump, you couldn't even see it. I cleaned one of the pumps & got some flow going into the tank & puffer started breathing better. The fellow that asked me over to help w/the teeth (didn't even see any teeth), was starting a WC when I was leaving & the puffer was upright & fanning it's fins, as if to say thank you.

The story is that the puffer belongs to this woman's son & he stopped taking care of it about 6 months ago. It's only been fed krill. No live rock, no skimmer. The fellow going over to save the puffer seemed to be keeping track of his time & expenses, so I'm pretty sure he'll be charging them. If the son doesn't want to pay for the total rehab & upkeep, I think he's gonna take the puffer home with him, cause he's certainly not gonna let the puffer die like that.

Wow. Good going PP.

If there was someone going over to save the puffer already why was it in such a bad state?

Oh, I hope he takes him! Poor puff. I gotta go hug my Porky now 'cause this is so sad.

LL, After the puffer was laying on it's side, not eating for 1 1/2 weeks, she figured she better call someone about it for help. The woman loves the puffer but it's not hers & her son is never around.

Oh I get that bit, but you said something about someone charging her for their expenses. I was just wondering what it was that they actually did if it was still in such a mess when you got there.

wow, what a sad story!!! I would take the porc and the tank in a heartbeat!


I sure hope the porc finds a good home. Its a shame that so many peoples ignorance causes the suffering of so many animals.....

LL, this is the 1st time they have taken care of this fish.

yeah, I cant beleive they didnt do a single WC in 6 months!!!!!!

Pufferpunk wrote:LL, this is the 1st time they have taken care of this fish.

Oh, my bad. I thought you were helping after he had started.
I'm surprised you didn't see plates if it had only been fed krill!