Porc. Puffer hasn't eaten in 1 1/2 months!

Oh no! Sick fish?! Come here and see if someone can help!
Forum rules
Read this before posting!!

Since this board has been up, we have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help right away (if we can!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.

1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.

2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.

3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)

4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.

5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.

We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.

While you wait for assistance:
One of the easiest and best ways to help your fish feel better is clean water! If you are already on a regular water change schedule (50% weekly is recommended) a good step to making your fish more comfortable while waiting for diagnosis/suggestions is to do a large water change immediately. Feel free to repeat daily or as often as you can, clean water is always a good thing! Use of Amquel or Prime as a dechlor may help with any ammonia or nitrite issues, and is highly recommended.

Note - if you do not normally do large water changes, doing a sudden, large water change could shock your fish by suddenly changing their established water chemistry. Clean water is still your first goal, so in this case, do several smaller (10%) water changes over the next day or two before starting any large ones.
Post Reply
subby
Puffer Fry
Posts: 21
Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2005 2:15 pm
Location: California

Porc. Puffer hasn't eaten in 1 1/2 months!

Post by subby »

Hi to everyone!

I just got back from out veternarian office - we took our cat - and I was admiring their HUGE porc. puffer named Hummer. When I asked the vet how old he was, he said he wasn't sure but Hummer had not eaten in over 45 days! :( ! He said he spoke to several of his doctor friends, but couldn't get things under control. From reading all of your wonderful info., I mensioned if he had thought about a internal parasite. He had not, but had treated him with antibiotics for a possible bacterial infection. He actually used injectible antibiotics, since he has access to the right meds. He checked his teeth, they were ok. He has prestine water readings, and has hummer in a 300 gallon tank with one tang for a fish buddy. He looks very thin, but has no frays on his fins. His gills looked clean and he wasn't breathing hard, but he was keeping his little tail curled to him - seemed for protection - and was swimming slowly. I will go back to their office in about an hour, and I was hoping that maybe I could get some info. from all of you. I will give him your web address, of course, and any other info. I can get from other postings here. He is leaving town tonight for a week - so hopefully we can get something started for this poor big guy. Thanks so much, your the best! Oh, also, as an update, mu F8 and GSP are doing wonderful!! no itches, not one!! I am going to use the bio spira when it gets here later this week - my ammonia readings are still alittle out of whack, but all is good. I can't thank you all enough
Sincerely, the long winded, but big heart friend,
Candy Short
Thanks so much!
Candy Short
Pamela
Green Spotted Puffer
Posts: 456
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2005 8:50 am
Location: Oxford, UK

Post by Pamela »

I think after that length of time, it's time for force feeding.
I can't advise on this, but there's plenty of people who can.
Pami.
subby
Puffer Fry
Posts: 21
Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2005 2:15 pm
Location: California

Post by subby »

Do you think it is due to internal parasites?
Thanks so much!
Candy Short
Pamela
Green Spotted Puffer
Posts: 456
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2005 8:50 am
Location: Oxford, UK

Post by Pamela »

Don't see why...usually that leads to a voracious appetite for a while.
Pami.
subby
Puffer Fry
Posts: 21
Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2005 2:15 pm
Location: California

Post by subby »

before the puff starts not eating? IF it isn't internal parasites, what do you think it could be?
Thanks so much!
Candy Short
subby
Puffer Fry
Posts: 21
Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2005 2:15 pm
Location: California

Post by subby »

My vet said Hummer used to eat like crazy - he couldn't keep him satsified for a while. Could that have been the feast before the fammine?
Thanks so much!
Candy Short
Post Reply