The Puffer Forum

My little GSP (still very small), suddenly started to get skinny. I've had him since October, and she was fine for a few months. Then she suddenly started to get skinny. Two changes was made for her at about the same time, but whether it's exactly then or the reason, I can't tell.
Change 1: I started to feed her less often (obvious, this one ) But when she started to get skinny, I went back to the earlier frequency. But she is still skinny.
Change 2: I turned up the speed on the filter. She loves lots of movement in the water, so I gave her some more. She still loves it, and I haven't changed the speed afterward. It's still at max.
She is still very active, so she isn't looking ill in that way. On the other hand, she has changed a little bit of coloration on the upper part of the body - a little darker, that is. But on the lower part of her body, she is absolutely fine. Still white there, and no changes since I got her
She does have too little space, in my opinion. I four times have bought her a new tank, and managed to give it to another fishes instead. But she still is rather small.
And yes, she has BW. Not very brackish yet, as I have raised the salt level very, very slowly. The tank was very well cycled when I bought her. It has been running for years!
She eats very well when I feed her. Shrimps will get attacked in the most vicious way Here favorite food!
So the question is: should I worry about IP, or is this only because of raised level of activity because of more circulation in the water?

I *bump* this one a little bit.

It sounds likely that she has IPs. I would begin treatment as soon as possible before she stops eating.

What size tank and what size is the fish? What are the water parameters and SG?

I'm almost too ashamed to tell the tank size (please don't shout at me: about 15 G). Too small, I know. I've bought her a new tank 4 times, and have given the tanks away to other fishes every time (except one I broke. I will fix it in few days, but have to give the tank to some other fishes this time too, to my irrubescos to be more specific). I will get some new tanks in 2 weeks, probably 6 of them, and then she will get a 25G tank, for now. Later on a 30 G tank will be free for her. But the fish is 4 cm, I think (less than 2''). Not big at all yet.
NO2 = 0
NH3 = 0
NO3 = >0 but not much.
SG: I don't think I can trust that hydrometer. It almost hasn't changed since I started adding salt to the water (yes, I use a SW mix). And someone told me today that it is made for measuring water at 21 degrees C. But it's not much salt yet. I've raised the level very, very slowly, and my dog still drinks the water...but she would probably drink anything liquid.
PH = between 7.5 and 8.0
The total hardness is awfully high (I just had to stop counting the drops). I can't get it down. It seems like the salt mix is adding something. I wasn't aware of that in the beginning, so I added something to make it higher, with every water change (I knew how much I had to use to make it right (before adding the salt) - the tap water is about 4 dh). And as I use this salt mix, I can't get the hardness down again. I was hoping it would get better with the water changes, but the test now shows me that it hasn't. Help!

I try to do water changes every other day, and take out 1/6 every time (except when I have skipped a day, then I take out twice as much).

If she has IP, what kind of medication can I use? I have a med. bought for using on discus. I know it can take some IP's but not all. It's mostly for external parasites, though. It says that it will take flukes, tapeworm, flatworms and turbellarians (whatever that is - I have trouble with the translation). The product is called PraziPro.

I have other products as well, but they would probably kill the bacteria in the filter, and that I must avoid in a puffer tank (or in any other tank). If I have to buy something else, I probably have to get it abroad. There isn't many good meds. here in Norway. The PraziPro is bought in the US

Boxermom wrote: I would begin treatment as soon as possible before she stops eating.

So far it doesn't seem like that is a problem. The shrimp she got today, disappeared with the same speed as usual. And I had to remove the shrimp after a very short time, to make sure she doesn't eat too much. This also as usual

PraziPro works well but you can't add it to the water. Soak the food in it, as they need to ingest the medication, adding it to the water doesn't do anything. You can add a few garlic slices or some Garlic Guard-type product to help mask the taste.

Well, that explains another thread, where someone asked about garlic.
Still think it's IP?

Anyway, I miss the lovely dog in your avatar. You changed it before I managed to say how much I loved it. A funny pic

If its eating and still getting skinny, that would be my guess, especially since you went back to feeding more often.

Thanks, I'll probably put it back, just wanted something different for a change.

Any advice on how to get the total hardness down to a reasonable level? Water changes won't help, as it seems like the SW mix raise the level all by itself.

Seems like you have a very nice dog

I wouldn't worry about the hardness as long as its stable. I have liquid rock for water and they do fine.

Thanks, looks can be deceiving. He's the devil incarnate. Actually he's a real love, just grouchy these days as his age and health deteriorate.

Boxermom wrote:IThanks, looks can be deceiving. He's the devil incarnate. Actually he's a real love, just grouchy these days as his age and health deteriorate.

Sorry to hear That's the bad part with animals, they get older faster than we do. My little "devil" is just 9 months old, so I have a lot of fun to look forward to. Actually she isn't so much devil anymore. She has just finished her first period (or whatever it's called in English when it comes to dogs), and she matured a lot during those 3 weeks. In my avatar she is about 4 months old. We were in the mountains, and she had an absolutely wonderful time

Oooops! Talking about Kaisa again. I just can't stop talking about her

Would treating one puff possibly lead to another puff becoming infested if they don't have it now? We think one of ours may, and I was thinking of moving the one without into their new home, and treating the puff with possible IP in their current tank, then moving her over after the treatment. Or would it be better to just treat both of them now even if one of them probably doesn't have it?

Troender, I don't blame you for constantly talking about your pup, she's adorable

Anytime any two or more fish have been exposed to IPs, they all need to be treated. If the one without was in the tank with the one with, then they both should be treated before putting them into their new home.

Nusquam wrote:Troender, I don't blame you for constantly talking about your pup, she's adorable

Thank you I'm very proud of her

Alright, so we're going to treat both of them for IPs. Don't know what medications we have at the LFSs, so not sure what we can get our hands on and how soon. I've read the threads about the different medications available, and PraziPro doesn't seem to be mentioned.
I was just wondering about the dosages and how long to treat? Thanks!

Edit: usually it says that the puffs should be treated in a hospital tank. Unfortunately, that's being occupied right now by a couple fresh water crays. Would it be OK to treat them in their display tank, since we're moving them out once they're done, anyway? As well, if we do leave them in, should we remove all decorations/substrate before treatment to prevent re-infection? (The decorations are being moved with them, and the substrate's going to a friend for her fresh water tank.)

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