The Puffer Forum

Hi-
I've already cryed for quite awhile over this. I know I don't have all the answers because I didn't know I had to do all of the water testing for saltwater fish. I ask things and no one here ever knows so I am hopeing that you guys do before its too late. I have a green spotted puffer fish named Dragon. But right now he is yellow and won't eat. He now is just floating at times and swimming at others in the tank. Sometimes I even think he is dead.This started just before I moved out of my last place. But it didn't get bad until today. I wasn't sure if he was having problems until yesterday, ive tried getting new food and adding the stuff I added to try to help Dragons brother, but its just not working. I even did a full water change because it has been recommended to me to do.
1) I don't know what the water parameters are, and its too late at night to get the stuff for it.
2) Its a 10 gallon take and Dragon is the only one in it, his brother Magic died the same way. I have taken all fake plants and anything he can get stuck on out so he can at least swim.
3) I try to feed him in the morning, sometimes at night be he doesn't seem to like it at night, I feed him frozen Krill. I also just bought some hard pellets to see if he would eat those, I use a water conditioner called aquasafe and I have used aquari-sol.
4) I was using tap water from my old apartment and he seemed fine in that but I just moved on Wednesday and had to add some tap water from the new apartment, I didn't fill the tank up all the way because he likes to play by the filter and have the water push him, not to where he is being pushed and can't stop but he looks like he likes it. I have the filter off right now because it would push him in the state that his is in and im afraid that he will get stuck to the filter.
5) I also didn't know about the cycle thing.

If anyone can help at all I would really like that.
Thank you.
Jenni

Did he perk up after the water change? How much salt is in there?

He did perk up after the water change and I went out and got water from walmart that was bottled hopeing it would be ok. I put 1/4 cup per gallon.

Do you think he may have parasites?

Aquarium salt or marine salt? Do another 50% water change right now, without adding any salt, just the conditioner.

Please describe how the other one died.

Its called instant ocean. The last one that died stopped eating for three days, but he seemed to be swimming fine, I came home on the fourth day and he had passed.

My boyfriend just came home with two types of medication for Dragon. Jungle Anti-Parasite Medicated Fish food, and Jungle Farasite Clear tank buddies. The last one is a fizz. I haven't put either of them in yet do you think I should? Ive had him for about three months, I got him from a friend who got him from walmart.

Do not indiscrimanantly aadd any meds. You don't know what's wrong with it. You don't know for sure the fish has parasites & I highly doube this is your probblem.

You say you didn't know about cycling. Do you understand the process now? How long has this tank been set up since the last fish was in there?

It's been up for about a month, maybe even longer.

Do you have Yahoo IM? I have to go to sleep soon & it would be easier not to have to wait for each post.

We did the change, his color is starting to come back. I forgot his belly will get really black. Right now there are black areas on it but not all over the belly, he has always had this problem. We also sectioned off the filter and started it so the water can mix alittle better.

Alright, I'm going to bed. Do a 50% WC right now & I'll talk in the morning. Do not add any salt to the new water.

day_dream_bear_20

You must leave the filter on. Cut out a fresh sponge & put over the intake if you have to.

Thank you for your help tonight, im going to head off to bed too and hope for the best.