The Puffer Forum

Hi all, I just returned on a 4 day holiday. I left on Friday 2.2.07 and feed my fish before I left. I returned on the 5.2.07 and feed them when I got back. I read that fish can survive a while without food so I thought it would be OK to leave them for only really 2 days without feeding (as I fed them on Fri & Mon so the only days they didn't get food was Sat & Sun). All my fish seem alright but one of my puffers (the fatter one) looks like a Zombie!

He sooo pale, he swims around listlessly and doesn't have an appetite, he just looks so sick. I don't know what to do. The water quality seems fine and all the other fish (even the other puffer) seems perfectly happy and healthy. What can this be?

Any help would be much appreciated, I cannot bare to lose another puffer!

I will try to get pics tonight.

What do you mean the water quality "seems" fine. Have you tested the water? What kind of puffers? Fish can survive quite well for a week or two without eating if they are healthy and there's nothing wrong with the water, so I doubt its due to lack of food.

Anytime anything looks off with your fish, do a water change.

that sounds interesting. does it look anything like this

"Have you tested the water? What kind of puffers?"

Yes I tested the water, the usual readings: Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 20, Ph 7.3ish. There hasn't been definite confirmation regarding the species of the puffer, but the same puffer on my avatar is the one that is now sick.

Hmm Manutius, it sorta looks like that, like he is turning almost black (but not his under belly). I'm not sure about the big white patches, he has some but not that big yet. He isn't using his back fin, he just sort of floats about with his other fin but doesn't respond to much. I am really worried! Should I take him out of the tank as not to spread whatever it is? I do have a hospital tank with similar water conditions (but I have baby mollies in there atm) so I don't know!

I tried getting pics but it didn't turn out well....

Your water chemistry seems fine for a freshwater tank. I think the problem may be the identity of the puffer and therefore trying to determine correct water conditions for it. I can't remember what type it is though sorry, but I'm sure someone will know.

This fish I showed you was my Mbu a while back and it was very hard to get a diagnosois. Eventually it was decided that food poisoning was highly likely. I think that you should look into this as a potential cause and in the mean time I would run some carbon in your filter in case there is something that is in the water affecting him.

On a positive note my puffer pulled through after showing those symptoms, water qulity needs to be kept pristine though.