The Puffer Forum

Hey there:

My DP Choti died today. She was the smaller of the two at about 8mm.

She was swimming fine, had no signs of problems at all, her colour was good. Saw her eat a couple of blood worms over the last couple of days.

Tonight found her stuck to the filter intake. She was puffed and had a red intestinal thingy sticking out of her anus about 3mm. No signs of parasites that I noticed. No sunken belly, no stringy poo.

Lall seems fine good appetite and active.Belly rounded after eating two blood worms.

Tried to get pics but they are so small nothing will photograph tight enough to be of any use.

Should I treat for IPs? If so what should I use.

Water yesterday Nh3 0, No2 0, No3 10, Ph 7.8 temp 78. Did 40% water change with vacuuming.

I know they weren't in great shape when I got them but I lost my last puffs and I am feeling discouraged. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

My guess would be internal parasites. If you can deworm the one you still have, I would, definately. The stress of being moved to a new tank often lowers their immune system enough for the parasites to really take over.

I agree, sounds like IPs.

Sorry to hear about your loss

Pufferoni, here's a link to a discussion about the products available for deworming our fish:

http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7

I use Metronidozle (I know I spelled that wrong!) and Levimasole (a pig wormer) myself. Fast the fish for a few days so they are hungry enough to ignore the taste, then take a little tank water and mix in one scoop of the Metronidozle (it comes with a little measureing scoop) and one of Levimasole, mix it up in the water good, soak their favorite food in it for a few minutes and serve! Make sure to do a good gravel vaccuuming/water change the next day to clean up anything they might purge, and maybe think about doing it again in 3 months or so just to make sure you got most of them.