The Puffer Forum

HELP! I have a very sick Valentini puffer. He stays on the bottom, and when he swims around he seems not to be aware of anything around him and bumps into the glass and live rock. He is currently in a 10 gallon tank with a clownfish. He has ceased eating. Nothing has been changed in the aquarium in the past 2 weeks, but the live rock was added 2 months ago. The aquarium has been up an running for 9 months. There are no visible marks or changes in appearance. Nitrate - 20, Nitrite - 0, and pH - 8.4. HELP!


~Heather

What is the ammonia reading?

Does he look really thin? It could be internal parasites.

How long has he been like this?

His tank is a bit small too, i'd go with a 20g long for a Toby at the bear minimum.

Rapid breathing? Fogged over eyes? No external symptoms?

I'm sure some one else on this forum will be able to help you more.

Can you get any pictures?

Yes, he has rapid brething, and we've tried parasite remedies that don't seem to work. He's been like this for 2 weeks. The ammonia is normal, I don't know the exact level, but the other fish is fine.

~Heather

The tank is definately way too small for him. Get a bigger tank asap and start doing more water changes to keep the quality up. 20 nitrates are generally not good in saltwater.

What is "normal" ammonia? Should be 0. I'd try getting the water tested at your LFS if you already haven/t & follow my signature.

Thanks all! I'll try doing the water change! What do you all think of a freshwater bath? I did a 25% water change 2 days ago.

FW dip for what? It's too stressful for a weak fish. What is the ammonia? How much water do you change & how often? What's the SG? pH?

Ammonia 0, pH 8.3, 25% every week, SG 30

What's SG 30 mean? That isn't an actual SG reading I don't think.

SG 30? Whacky hydrometer?

1.030??? If it is, then that's your problem. Should be 1.020-23.