The Puffer Forum

Hi I'm upset right now and could use a few comments. I got a very small 2"porcupine puffer back in April, have had puffers for the last six years so I pretty well know what I am doing. Did a water change yesterday and for the first time felt comfortable giving the tank a new look. Usually change things around pretty regularly but wanted to give the little girl a chance to settle in. Water change done the right way (I do aquarium maintains with the boyfriend). Up until that point Betty the porc was doing great growing, eating active just a happy little girl. After the water change she was just swimming around the top of the tank with heavy breathing. Figured she was upset about the change and would settle down. Adjusted the air flow to give more oxygen to the tank. Got up today and she had passed and I cannot figure this out. Water parameters all within range Ammonia 0, Nitrate .25 ect. the only thing off a bit is the tank temperature is a little high 80 F yesterday 82 F today. Any thoughts on what could of went wrong would be appreciated any thought at all. Thanks

Were those water params you mentioned taken before or after the waterchange? She may have been suffering from ammonia poisoning, though it was so sudden that doesn't seem to make sense.

I really don't think the temp would have done it. My tanks hover at 80F during the summer and none of my fish have suffered.

Do you think something might have gotten into the tank? Sounds like something toxic could have been introduced to her tank either right before or during the WC. Otherwise I can't really think of the cause.

What size tank is it?

How long has it been set up?

What is your WC schedule?

What were you feeding her?



Those questions will help us try to figure out what happened. Sorry for your loss. I hope you'll stick around here and not be discouraged by Betty's death.

-Michelle

Thanks for the reply. Ok, tank has been set up for about 2 1/2 yrs. 90 gl. I'm very careful not to contaminate anything when working in or around tanks I do about 10 - 15 of them a week. This is really got me as there was no sign what so ever of disease or problems. It is just so upsetting as you all know how attached we can get to our puffers. Will keep trying to figure this out, any other ideas or comment welcome.

Sorry for your loss. I hope you'll stick around here and not be discouraged by Betty's death.

-Michelle[/quote]
I might not post much but I am always around , that is my beautiful Star in the logo. Discourage yes, but I have a few salt tanks and of coarse we loose fish on occasions. It's just those puffer are like part of the family no other fish can come close. Well I think you know what I mean.
Water changes every two to three weeks. Was feeding her brine shrimp, smelt, pea's (treat) shrimp pelts, hard shell seafood melody, all food handle with the utmost care.

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I've lost fish with any perceptible reason, and without a full lab to do an autopsy you may never know what happened. I always like to think that it might have been one of those bizzare things like a heart attack or something... very sad but natural.

Hang in there! Puffers are like family, as are any beloved pet.

(P.S.- Star is very cute!)

Unless you are on well water, you might want to check with the city to see if they made any changes to the water treatment process. Some locals reserve the right to switch from chlorine to chloramine w/o notice. Our city will often add chemicals to battle turbidity or other issues. I raised a batch of angel fry for several weeks until they were nickle sized, doing water changes every day with no abnormal losses. I then did my normal water change one day and all of them died within 15 minutes.