The Puffer Forum

All right, MY Gsp has a really weird lump on his right side, and his left side is sunken in. I originally though it was a parasite, and would go away w/ treatment. It didn't go away, and has gotten worse. He still thins out very fast as well. Any suggestions please? For more info go to my thread in Brackish puffers.

The basics are 20 Gal long, normal readings, well filtered(and water changed) and heated.

Broken bones? IMO, it sounds like his spine could have taken a blow to knock it out a bit but most likely something else. To be honest, you might not want to listen to me because I'm a bit insane. JK

First of all, we prefer to see actual water parameters vice terms like "normal" or "fine". They may not play a role in this discussion, but it is always good to provide all of the information up front. Please see the stickie at the top of the hospital thread and try to answer as many of the questions as you can.

Any chance you can post some pics?

I got the idea it might be a broken bone, but with the curvature he shouldn't be able to use his tail then(Paralysis) either.

As for Water Parameters
PH, bout 7.8
Near Nill for Nitrates and Nitrites
Ammonia is near Nill as well.
Unsure on Salinity.

The tank has been up for about a Month. I cycled w/ Biospera.
He was originally in a smaller tank, but is now in a 20 gal long.
The last change was upping the filtration.

He was audibly tail slapping the filter intakes, could that have harmed him?

He's also stopped eating as far as I can tell.

I wish I could take pictures, but I cannot.

It's past his stomach area on the upper half his body. His spine is curved to the right, and the left side looks shriveled and sucked in. He is moving slowly and bumping into walls, plants and everything. he refuses food completely(I moved him to a small bowl to see if maybe he wasn't noticing the food, but he still ignored it. I'm keeping him in the bowl for now to see if he'll eat.

Have you done a water change recently? There should be absolutely no ammonia & should be showing at least some nitrates. Not the problem at hand I think though. I have come across this "bent spine" issue a couple of times. Some kind of deformity, that may start after having the fish for a while. Not much hope... Pics would definately help.