The Puffer Forum

so my puffer has stopped eating about a week ago ( he will only eat fiddler crabs and once a week i give him a feeder as a treat ) a few days ago i noticed he wasn't acting like himself he was breathing heavy and acting erratic. today i found him laying on his back on the bottom of the tank twice i flipped him over and he started swimming again. he seems to get burst of energy off and on threw out the day. today i decided to put in 2 fiddler crabs and 2 gold fish to see if they would have any symptoms. both crabs have died and so did one gold fish the other gold fish is swimming in circles and has white spots all over him. i have know idea how to treat this because i have know idea what is causing it. although i am pretty sure it started with the feeders i put in last week due to the fact my roommate's snapping turtle ate from the same batch and sense then will not eat fish and is biting himself and also has white fungus growing on him. any ideas would be greatly appreciate i really don't wanna loose this guy. thanks

Well.. I would start by doing a large water change.
What are your water parameters?

I would not put any more feeders in his tank, unless they have been quarentined for some time, same goes with the crabs. Feeders are usually not kept in the best conditions and often carry disease.

The white spots on the goldfish is most likely ich. Do a search here how to treat for it, because your puffer probably caught it from the feeders. Basically you need to raise the temp and add 1 tablespoon of salt per 5 gallons. Theres a sticky in the hospital section on this.

As for the fungus, a picture might help identifying it. But pimafix might help with it.

Also, how long have you had the puffer and was the tank cycled?

You need to get your puffer off live food ASAP! Also answer all the above questions.

the pH is at 6.5 0 nitrate 0 ammonia. i have had him for about 2 month's and i cycled the tank for 3 weeks ahead of time with gold fish in it. i did a 50% water change last night raised the temp and started with the salt. i still cant get him to eat i have been trying to get him to eat frozen shrimp all day. i tied it to a string and bounced in front of him and he wont budge. any ideas on how to get him to eat ? he hasn't taking food in over a week now and I'm concerned he is gonna starve himself. also i know i do the salt water treatment for a month but how often do i add the salt ? is it daily or every other day or ????

What's the salt for? It will take a while for your fish to recognize that the shrimp is food--be patient. What are the nitrites? When's the last time you did a water change (other than last night)?

the salt is for the ick. nitrites = 0. and i have done a 50% water change once a week sence i got the puffer. how long can this guy go without eating?

Probably caought the ich from the goldfish. A tank can't cycle in 3 weeks. I am wondering why there are no nitrates, if the tank is cycled. Your pH is extremly acidic. What is the pH of your tap water?