The Puffer Forum

Well, at the LFS, they had this burrfish donated to them because the owner didn't know how to medicate him. I'm thinking he's a Chilomycterus reticulatus (Spotfin burrfish) or Chilomycterus affinis (Pacific burrfish). He's probably about 1.5' or so. One of the employees told me he is eating, but he has bad IP. I really want to help this fish, he's very beautiful. They have him in a 300g right now, but they aren't treating him yet. I was going to suggest Flubenol, but I'd like to know what you guys think would be the best way to treat him. I'm very serious about giving advice, because it seems like they're kind of neglecting him :[ Check out the pics and tell me what you think!

Doesn't look like any burrfish I've ever seen. Look up Diodon hystrix in our Pufferpedia.

That is a Diodon hystrix, they don't look very similar to me. Your post wasn't very helpful, I was looking for advice on medicating the fish. Diodon hystrix isn't in the pufferpedia either.

It looks like it has a severe case of internal parasites.

It sure does, I wish somebody knew how to properly treat such a severe case.

A correct does of anti-parasitic agent. I've used Flubenol in the past and it comes in packs large enough to treat massive tanks. You can order iot from a guy called Paul Fox on here.

Awesome! I'll send him a PM after i chat with the LFS. Thanks Hilly :]

No problem, in the meantime just keep feeding the brute, there's not a lot more you can do. Flubenol does seem to have a dramatic effect very quickly though. Paul will give you all the info on it though.

This is a chilomycterus atringa. I have a breeding pair as well as 2 singles.

These are prone to cestodes and respond well to praziquantel as long as the worms have not invaded any internal organs - liver, spleen & kidney.

These are also often infected with mycobacterium and weight loss is a common presentation.

I would definitely deworm and attempt to get eating. Live crabs and frozen crabs as well as urchins are there natural diets and will usually entice the most finicky eater.

These are difficult to keep as well as get eating in a tank.

Best of luck.

Thanks PQ. I'll let them know asap. Luckily, he's still eating.

What size tank do they require? He's sharing a 300g with a few other fish atm

Have that breeding pair turned out any viable lil puffers, or are the fry simply too small to rear captive?