The Puffer Forum

Ive been treating my GSP with pimafix for ich for the last week. He seems much better and happy (Still seems to be rubbing a bit). His belly has returned to its usual white, but his black spots and even his green spot are very dull and grey. Ive never seen this before. Any ideas? Is this still just part of the ich?

Have you made any changes to substrate or tank background since noticing the change?

When I changed to Tahitian Moon Sand (was previously using Home Depot play sand), Schwanz darkened up lot.

No, no change. But the water is a little yellowish since I have started medicating him...

Yellowish... Hmm do you have any drift wood in there? That would account for the yellowish tint.

I don't think that would affect the coloration though. Might just be somethin he is going through while he is medicated.

As long as he is active and is eating fine I would monitor it but not be all that worried.

It wouldnt be the drift wood, its been in the tank for years now.

Hmm... I don't use that myself since my tank is full marine (wood rots extremely quick in marine conditions). However you might want to look into the wood releasing tanins into the water.

I'm not sure if it will just start leeching them into the water out of no where. They are harmless from what I have read regardless, they just make your water look crappy lol.

If it's not the drift wood I'm really not sure why your water would yellow....Hmmm...

Its more than likely the medication. Pimafix tends to do that.

Ok, I figured it might be the meds but Im wondering why his coloring has become so dull?

He is actually now in a quarantine tank because its better for meds and Im changing his main tank into a proper marine set up...Skimmers, Live Rock, ect.

If anyone knows why he would loose his color that would be nice to know???

Oh you moved him hmmm..

Did he loose color after the move? Might be he is just sulking. Mine does that all the time after I move the tank decoration around.

I have noticied that the easiest way to tell their mood is in my Puff's coloring IMO.

Well this happened before I moved him. And its not the usual color change like when hes stressed or lonely or hungry. Its different. Ive had him for 3 years, almost 4, so I know his spots well and they have definetley began fading fast. His belly is still bright white and eyes look good, but spots look so dull...And Green spot which was bright green is now brownish green.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think GSPs tend to darken as they get older. I'm not sure how quick of a transition it is though (I got my GSP fully grown). Its probably a reaction from the meds or the ich (or both).

Dan

Yeah I know they do darken with age but this was an over night thing. I woke up a few days ago and he was "pale". Im sure Im just over reacting but hes my favorite fish and I worry about him. I kinda think its the meds and ich.