My Tetraodon Miurus (Congo Puffer)

[SunnyHouTX]

Looks like params. Media has been in cycle for about two weeks or so on another tank but I'm reading about 0.05 ppm nitrites. Nitrates are around 40ppm (WC was last sunday). Gonna add some more prime asap.

I've alway had the prefilter on since he's been in. Rocks have not shifted, was used in my 100gal before that was broken down, and sand is a larger aggregate sand from Carribsea.

[LooksLater]

Okay, just re-read the thread and watched the vid closer...

1) I vote for Piglet.
2) Yeah, my theory is definitely the rocks. They look sharp, he's adjusting...ever seen him "spook" and fly from one side to another, or bury himself close to the rocks and come shooting up, maybe while turning, looking for food/whatever? Might be that simple.
Params aren't great, but not the worst I've seen.

[mnemenoi]

Sorry to hear its not doing well (forgot to add that on the first post, Sasha called and got me on the platform with the 911 fish emergency)

Looking at that wound it just strikes me as trauma and torn skin related to that. My only real guess is that he manged to get stuck in the filter intake somehow and tried to wiggle himself free and lacerated his caudal area. The only other alternative I have is some of the rocks. Ohh, what about the top? Anything up high that might be the culprit if he decided to jump and possibly hit something?

The parameters could be better, but not dismal. Whatever the cause, my guess is something physical in nature. Bacterial would be effecting its entire body and it just does not appear to be a normal symptom of any disease I can think of.

I would probably do some smaller water changes to lower those Nitrites and Nitrates and continue with Melafix and Pimafix. Possibly using something like Maracyn II as an antibiotic for good measure.

[SunnyHouTX]

He was upside down a little while ago.

Yes, he would fly from side to side.

To recap, I have done the following:

Put Piglet in a fry cage
Lights off
Added a little more Prime, Pimafix and Melafix

I need to:

Remove rocks

*And maybe change out substrate to take out residual Coppersafe?

[SunnyHouTX]

Roy, I don't have Maracyn I/II but have Metro, Clout, Microbelift and Prazipro.

[mnemenoi]

Any general antibiotic would help I think, I just have always used the Maracyn II. More of a preventative agent then anything else. As the wounds close and heal to prevent any extraneous infection.

Hoping that Piglet does alright!!! They are actually fairly tough little critters and I think he'll be fine once he shakes it all off.

[LooksLater]

Good calls, all of them. It's hard to tell if the possible copper will hurt Piglet more than changing out the substrate and loosing all that bacteria, but that's what I'd do.

[SunnyHouTX]

I can always get substrate from my other tanks, so that's not a problem. Gonna let Piglet sit in the fry cage tonight and do the tank makeover tomorrow. Scared the crap out of me he did

[LooksLater]

It would have me, too. Whew.

Good deal, I'm sure he'll be fine...funny thing about puffers- they are such drama queens and kings. I'm guessing it's just a combo of events- the moving and being unfamiliar with the terrain, sharp rocks and clumsy swimming, params and possibly copper making him slow or feeling icky.

You got this!

[nightster]

Re: My Tetraodon Miurus (Congo Puffer)

My guess would be the rocks. I've seen puffers startle and jet across the tank, maybe he made contact with one of the rocks. I agree it doesn't look bacterial. Hope he pulls through, sorry...

[SunnyHouTX]

Thanks for your e-help guys!

What really odd is that there's a corresponding wound on the other side as well. Maybe his tail got stuck in between two rocks and he got startled and jetted off tearing his skin?

[nightster]

Re: My Tetraodon Miurus (Congo Puffer)

Possibility, I've noticed my puffer will try to fit somewhere more than once before backing up. That theory sounds like a good one...

[LooksLater]

Possibility, I've noticed my puffer will try to fit somewhere more than once before backing up. That theory sounds like a good one...

+1. And the weirdest things can spook Suki sometimes, and she's off like a rocket. I can see how Piglet would freak if his tail got snagged.

[SunnyHouTX]

Just checked on him, he's floating right side up fluttering his pectoral fins, chillin'

[New_Cichlid11]

Sunny, i hope he gets better man he is in good hands