The Puffer Forum

Does anyone know what is wrong with my dragon puffer? It looks as though it's shedding white fuzz. I put in a stronger light and at first just thought that this was part of its texture. It seems as though there's more of this stuff on it than earlier, though, so I'm doubting it's part of its texture.

Tank: 20 gallon
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 20 or so
pH: 7.6

Could be fungal maybe...

Do you have any melafix and pimafix you could use? I think that would be a safe first step.

Funny, it looks like it's happening at the spines. Definitely add Mela/Pimafix.

Do you mean to add both Pimafix and Melafix, or one or the other? I have both.

Should it be in the quantities specified on the bottle for the size of tank the puffer's in?

I'd use both. They are compatible with each other.

I find it works best if you add an airstone and raise the temp a few degrees. I also like to alternate dosing days and water change days. Follow the dossage recommendation on the bottles. The next day, do a water change. The next day after that, dose again. Repeat for a week to 10 days.

I gave the first dose yesterday (of both Melafix and Pimafix).

I don't have an airstone in the tank, but there is a Hydro sponge for additional filtration (in addition to a HOB filter). I hope the reason you said you add the airstone is covered by my having a Hydro sponge.

The temperature is now at 84 degrees.

The suggestion to alternate dosing days and water change days is not compatible with the suggestion to follow the dosage recommendation on the bottle for the reason that the bottle instructions read that the water should be treated daily. I will take it that you mean that the dosage amount should be as on the bottle but the frequency should be every other day. Please let me know if this is not what you meant.

I meant follow the dossage amount from the bottle for how much to use per gallon.

I recommend alternating days with water changes to keep the water prestine and to more closely simulate a flow through system where the water is constantly being removed and replenished. The prestine water quality IMO is just as important as the medication itself.

There are also those who claim that melafix/pimafix may cause breathing problems in weakened fish. I've never experienced this myself or even heard second hand accounts (only ever 3rd or 4th hand), but it's better safe than sorry.

This is also the reason for the air stone. It will increase the amount of oxygen in the water and help to allow other gases to exit the water column. This is important because of the increased temperature which will reduce the amount of oxygen in the water and speed up the metabolism of the bacteria and fish, meaning they will require more oxygen.

The airstone likely won't make or break the treatment, but it will help. If you have strong enough current and surface agitation, it should be fine.

It's gotten worse. Now it's like a sort of white shedding fungal-type body coat.

I've been using Pimafix and Melafix in combination.

Further suggestions?

I'd try Maracyn. It's not supposed to harm your filtration (I think).

...but if you can remove to a hospital tank, it would be highly recommended.

The very tank it's in can be considered a hospital tank, as it's the only animal in it, can't it?

I'll try and find the Maracyn today.

As long as you keep a close eye on the parameters & realize you may have to recycle (I recommend having Bio-Spira on hand).

Bio-Spira is not available in Toronto.

I'm assuming just swapping in a filter from another tank would solve the problem of the tank not being cycled. Please do let me know if the matter is more complicated.

Sounds good.

The Melafix and Pimafix seem to be working.

I've also added some salt.

I bought "Maracyn" but have not used it yet (because the Melafix & Pimafix seem to be working). The instruction pamphlet reads that it does not harm the biological filter.