The Puffer Forum

Currently in a 3 gallon QT tank, pima/melafix treatments start tomorrow.

He doesn't appear to need Pimafix or Melafix, but does have intestinal parasites. You need to begin treatment immediately. As bad as it is, it may be too late, but its possible you might be able to save him. I hope so, he's cute.

Whats best to use for that?

Gel-Tek or PraziPro are the best from what I've heard (I've used Gel-Tek with much success). Must treat its food, he has to ingest it.

Boxermom wrote:He doesn't appear to need Pimafix or Melafix, but does have intestinal parasites. You need to begin treatment immediately. As bad as it is, it may be too late, but its possible you might be able to save him. I hope so, he's cute.

I've had DP's like that in the past, and I wouldn't have said they had parasites. If they've been newly shipped it's just possible they haven't been fed.

Whoa, steady on. Its great giving advice but I have had many DP's that are as thin as that. I even resucued two palembangs that were wafer thin.In all my time keeping puffers I have never repeat never come across internal parasites. I think there may be a possibility and something to look out for but I wouldn't jump the gun and start medicating a puffer when it may not be needed.
With puffers I would say medication is the last resort.
Keep a close eye on him and make sure he is eating. Overcrowding, bullying at the LFS, overgrown teeth, poor water conditions are all other factors to consider as well.
I would recommend one to one care with this little guy.

From being on the dwarf puffer forum for awhile and seeing everyone's experiences there, the vast majority of DPs that are purchased, especially at chain LPSes, are infested with intestinal parasites and if treatment isn't begun quickly, they'll stop eating and often die. There are a lot of deaths with newly purchased DPs, often by the time they are purchased, its too late.

Treating them for IPs with the medication won't hurt them if they don't have it and can save their life if they do. Whenever its even remotely suspected, we recommend they be treated before its too late and they stop eating. Additionally, strike has already stated that most of the ones they received were already dead.

Yes, in general, I always recommend medicating as a last resort. But we have seen too many times that this IS the last resort with sunken in stomachs like that. I don't think its at all irresponsible to recommend someone begin treating IPs in situations like this, especially since there's so little room for error with DPs.

Well I tried to direct feed him, failed, he is absolutely terrified. Let a few bloodworms sink to the bottom of the tank...he picked at one and gave up.

Boxermom wrote:From being on the dwarf puffer forum for awhile and seeing everyone's experiences there, the vast majority of DPs that are purchased, especially at chain LPSes, are infested with intestinal parasites and if treatment isn't begun quickly, they'll stop eating and often die. There are a lot of deaths with newly purchased DPs, often by the time they are purchased, its too late.

Treating them for IPs with the medication won't hurt them if they don't have it and can save their life if they do. Whenever its even remotely suspected, we recommend they be treated before its too late and they stop eating. Additionally, strike has already stated that most of the ones they received were already dead.

Yes, in general, I always recommend medicating as a last resort. But we have seen too many times that this IS the last resort with sunken in stomachs like that. I don't think its at all irresponsible to recommend someone begin treating IPs in situations like this, especially since there's so little room for error with DPs.

I diagree. I wouldn't recommend treating a puffer immediately you get them home just incase they have a slightly skinny appearance.They need to settle in first , become accustomed to their new surroundings. Puffers often won't eat straight away.As I say I have never come across IP with any of my puffers. Yes most of them were dead but we cannot be sure from what. No other signs of IP have been detected yet.
I am not saying this isn't IP but I would hesitate at medication and I don't think a statement saying that medication won't hurt them is backe dwith any evidence. Sure sometimes its may be the lesser of two evils but I will always hesitate and use meds as a last resort.
This is of course my opinion.

Well I have to get him to eat first...he just nibbled a small piece of a worm and swam away from it.

Ya know, mine had the same issue. They wouldn't eat straight away but after a few days, they were hungry!

And yes, meds as a last resort.. Altho, all my dp's from the lfs didn't look that sunken in. He needs to settle in and then if he's still having the same issue, take further action. You don't want to stress the little guy out even more =)

If a puffer does have IPs, how long does it take before the damage is irreversible?

That you cannot tell. You do not know when they caught them.

Good point.

Hopefully my guy will be eating right in a day or so. Is it ok to leave a bloodworm or two on the substrate, or will they not eat it after a certain amount of time?