The Puffer Forum

Some history on my Fahaka Maximus. He is about 2.5 inches, came into the LFS with internal parasites. They treated him there and he survived the IP. He then got ick there, I left him there for another week for them to treat, then I brought him home a little over 2 weeks ago. He had about 3 spots of ick when I brought him home, but now just has one tiny white spot on his top fin. I have been treating him with temperature, salt, and water changes. My question is should I be concerned about this last spot? It has been the same since I brought him home. Is there something else I should try? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. He is acting completely normal and feeds every day.

Fish Tank Information

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5
PH 7.6

Temperature 84 degrees
Using water changes every 3 days adding aquarium salt as directed from the puffer articles.

75 gallons I know its too small, getting him a 120 in 3 months. Cycled it with bio spira, been going for about 2.5 months now. There is two flying foxes in there from the initial setup. They have shown no signs of ick.

I wouldn't be too concerned. My fahaka would occasionally get a spot on his fins & they'd stay for a while, then disappear. Probably not even ich. Try Melafix & see if it goes away with that.

I agree nothing to worry about really, is it like a salt grain? If not its probably a white mark that puffer get on their fins which grows out in time. Melafix is always good to be on the safe side

It does not look like a salt grain, it is completely white. The other spots of ick looked like salt grains, but they have dissapeared. I am not very educated on Melafix, is it possible to pick up at petco or do I have to go to a LFS? How should I treat him with it? Thanks.

Does it look like this? If so, its just fin ray damage and will heal up on its own. No treatment necessary.

It looks just like that. What is fin ray damage. Thanks.

The rays are the lines in the fins, sort of like tiny bones that help them keep their shape and flutter and whatnot. Sometimes the rays get a little damaged through rough handling, bites, etc. Sort of like banging your fingernail and it bends and turns a little whitish. It'll go away without any further treatment.

YEp nothing to worry about. If there is any red or irritated areas though add the melafix