The Puffer Forum

The F8 I got the other day is spending a lot of time on the bottom of the tank. All the readings were normal (0 nitrite, 0 amonia, <20 ppm Nitrate). He/she does swim around a lot, but then spends an equal or longer amount of time on the bottom between a big rock and a plant. No signs of ick/ich or anything externally wrong. Tummy is white and even smothly rounded after eating. Is frequent "napping" comon among F8s? Is he/she perhaps depressed about the change in surroundings? He/she does eat well and spends time "hunting" after eating but the frequent long "rests" have me worried.

Thanks -- Cooper

The pH? Specific gravity?

I think he is just unsure of his surroundings. give him a couple of days or so to get used to the new home and he will start swimming around. Mine was very skittish initially but comes out more often now.

js

I know the SG is less than 1.001 as my hydrometer goes that low and it's below that. I did put 1 tsp Instant Ocean per gallon -- the LFS had 1 teaspoon of "aquarium salt" per 10 gallons.

PH, I checked it yesterday but have forgotten. I'll check as soon as I get to work tomorrow.

Water Parameters:

Amonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate Between 0-20 (closer to 0 based on the color)
Hardness: 425 ppm
Alkalinity/Buffering Capacity: 240ppm
pH: 8.0

I just noticed something that looked like a clear mucousy string with a bubble in it coming off of his left pectoral fin. It's very fine -- like a clear hair witha bubble in it.

Advice? For all I know F8 may be fine and just spit out a partially chewed worm that got hung around his fin. I guess just after having a hyperactive SAP, I would think the F8 should spend less time under a plant on the bottom.

Update -- Upon closer inspection, the stringy thing may be coming out of his gill. It's about 1/3-1/2 inch long, pale tan in color but very thin -- slightly wider than a hair.

Thanks -- Cooper

That sounds strangely similar to what happened to my Figure 8 last night. Check my thread further down to see if the picture in it is what yours looks like.

Wow -- SilentPerogy, you are right. Only thing is my fish must be much larger than yours was or my "unidetified worm-like thing" is skinnier/thinner.

He went from swimming around a little to kind of lodging himself in a plant and just hanging there, seems to be breathing normally but not moving.

I think it has what yours had because at this rate, I don't think he'll make it through the night.

Poor thing met his fate.

That was fast -- Monday at the store, Wed. died of parasites.

Never going to that store again. I should have known better as many of the puffers looked like they'd been through the ringer. I should go back and see how many dead ones they have or if the tank is empty.

There is only ONE reputable fish store in town that I found. I think I'll go see them next week.

Any advice on what to do with the tank in the meantime? I want to keep the bacteria alive, but want to be sure any parasites or bugs/etc. are gone . . .

I'd drain 90% & fill again. Leave w/o fish for about a month--enough time for the bugs to die w/o a host. Keep it cycled w/ammonia. Do another 90% water change, before adding new fish.

Sorry to hear that. He probably had a hard time in transport, and then moving to a new tank didn't help. Poor little thing.
Pami.

Where does everyone find pure amonia? I've been to 3 different grocery stores and a few discount stores plus Target & KMart and have yet to find Amonia without soap, etc. in it.

Thanks -- Cooper

Cooper wrote:Where does everyone find pure amonia? I've been to 3 different grocery stores and a few discount stores plus Target & KMart and have yet to find Amonia without soap, etc. in it.

Thanks -- Cooper

Try a pharmacist.

In the USA, you generally want the super-cheap stores or the discount chains. They tend to offer "no frills" goods, which is what is wanted for fishless cycling.

I checked several Dollar, hardware, grocerie and discount stores before finally finding 'pure' ammonia at Shoppers Food Warehouse. Keep checking and you'll eventually find a store that sells it.