white spots on puffer
Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 1:11 am
i have been reading and reading and reading, tryin to find what ails my puffer. i am new to the hobby, but i have been very dilligent on "trying" to do things correctly. Fifty five gal tank, spiney boxfish (approx. 4 inches), foxface, coral beauty, fimbriated moray (approx. 10 inches), cleaner shrimp, brittle starfish.
PH 8 - 8.2, ammon. (zero), nitrate 20, salinity 1.023, nitrites (zero). All fish seem to be living harmonously. Spiney boxfish has white specks or spots. They don't seem to fit any description of anything I can find. Closest I found was a multi-cellular parasitic infestation. Boxfish acts normal, eats normal, is normal acting. I tried three days of 5 min. fresh water dips.
Tank has been active for 2.5 months. Eel came from Petco, he was the first addition, having ate all the damsels that I cycled with. Coral beauty was second, coming from a friend. Starfish came from LFS. Then all at once, the foxface, boxfish, and shrimp were added. A larger piece (7 lbs.) of live rock was added a day or two after all fish were acclimated.
I have two 'hang on the back' filters, two bio-wheels (running), 15 lbs. live rock, plan to add protein skimmer. 10% water changes bi-weekly to weekly. Using alternating RO saltwater from LFS, Salinity 1.024, and distilled water with buffer and salt from Petco and essential elements.
Shrimp has molted twice within 10 days, starting with the first night in the tank. Everything else seems to be doing great. Puffer has been showing the signs of illness for a week. Seems to decrease and increase. Dips seem to help a little. He has a couple exposed spines on his back.
Been feeding puffer silver sides, mussels, calamari (all items frozen). LFS has been moving so I have not been able to purchase live food yet. Would like to feed him some snails..
Question:
What are the spots, and how do I treat them? 98 % sure its a Chilomycterus schoepfi and he runs the tank. the eel has huge cave to live in, with the cleaner and the starfish. thank you for your time!!
PH 8 - 8.2, ammon. (zero), nitrate 20, salinity 1.023, nitrites (zero). All fish seem to be living harmonously. Spiney boxfish has white specks or spots. They don't seem to fit any description of anything I can find. Closest I found was a multi-cellular parasitic infestation. Boxfish acts normal, eats normal, is normal acting. I tried three days of 5 min. fresh water dips.
Tank has been active for 2.5 months. Eel came from Petco, he was the first addition, having ate all the damsels that I cycled with. Coral beauty was second, coming from a friend. Starfish came from LFS. Then all at once, the foxface, boxfish, and shrimp were added. A larger piece (7 lbs.) of live rock was added a day or two after all fish were acclimated.
I have two 'hang on the back' filters, two bio-wheels (running), 15 lbs. live rock, plan to add protein skimmer. 10% water changes bi-weekly to weekly. Using alternating RO saltwater from LFS, Salinity 1.024, and distilled water with buffer and salt from Petco and essential elements.
Shrimp has molted twice within 10 days, starting with the first night in the tank. Everything else seems to be doing great. Puffer has been showing the signs of illness for a week. Seems to decrease and increase. Dips seem to help a little. He has a couple exposed spines on his back.
Been feeding puffer silver sides, mussels, calamari (all items frozen). LFS has been moving so I have not been able to purchase live food yet. Would like to feed him some snails..
Question:
What are the spots, and how do I treat them? 98 % sure its a Chilomycterus schoepfi and he runs the tank. the eel has huge cave to live in, with the cleaner and the starfish. thank you for your time!!