something wrong with puffer? (pics included)

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bear123

Small Fish
#1
Jun 17, 2010
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#1
About 1 to 2 weeks ago my tank parameters were all good and I double tested them just to make sure. I decided to add the puffers I've been wanting to get. I added 2 figure 8 puffers from the same tank at the fish store that seemed to get along. I'm noticing that the puffers get along fine for the most part during the day, however when its feeding time, a little nipping and chasing starts... Is this normal?

Also, on one of the puffers, there is a little spiral ball like thing on his body by his tail fin. I have never dealt with puffers before so I don't know if it's normal; But the other puffer is fine and doesnt have this ball like structure bulging from his body.

Here are some pics: (hopefully you can see them, but if not, I will figure out whats wrong and try and post the pics again.)

Right side of the puffer: (the spiral)




Left side of the puffer: (the bulging looking lump)





Thanks for the help
 

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bear123

Small Fish
#5
Jun 17, 2010
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#5
Thanks for the link OrangeCones. It seems that I'm not the only one with this problem. Someone had the exact same problem as my puffer, and described it as "a spiral-shaped tumor-looking thing." I will go to the fish store today and look for some Prazi Pro- Hikari or some sort of medication to treat internal parasites.

Thanks again.
 

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bear123

Small Fish
#6
Jun 17, 2010
21
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#6
I just purchased the PraziPro and in the instructions, it says to treat a teaspon per 20 gallons.

On the link I read, the guy said he soaked the fish food in this liquid...

What should I do? Treat the water, or soak the food?
 

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bear123

Small Fish
#7
Jun 17, 2010
21
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#7
well, the parasite is spreading on the puffers body... I've been feeding the puffers with garlic to help strengthen their immune systems, and I've used the PraziPro. I'm not sure what else to do other than wait.

Any ideas?

Thanks
 

CoNMaN

CoNMaN

Large Fish
#8
Jul 1, 2003
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Madison, Wisconsin
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#8
Since puffers are "scaleless" fish they can absorb a good amount of medicine through the water. But if only one fish is sick, I would try the food method and see if you can feed only the sick on the medicated food.

Perhaps a temporary divider in the tank. (big net, screen, or just a piece of plexi-glass)
 

CoNMaN

CoNMaN

Large Fish
#9
Jul 1, 2003
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Madison, Wisconsin
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#9
Oh and as fasr as chasing/nipping during feeding, thats normal for puffers, they really are social fish with each other and can get really made at each other over territories and food.

My bumblebee puffers didnt even like being able to see one another.
 

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bear123

Small Fish
#10
Jun 17, 2010
21
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#10
Thanks for the help Conman.

I noticed today that the parasite on one side of the puffers body has literally moved.. I didn't see the parasite in actual motion, but the worm like, spiral looking lump on the puffer is no longer in the same spot as it was 2 days ago.

I'll keep you posted as I continue to treat the puffer with the PraziPro and Garlic Xtreme

Thanks
 

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OrangeCones

Elite Fish
#13
Feb 27, 2009
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#13
Yup. Wonderful item to keep around. I have several large sheets slid under my couch. You can make a partition with it and in a pinch, you can make a QT of sorts by sewing them together into a box, with edges cut to hang over a tank's lip. The holes are large enough not to block waterflow so that the fish being isolated isn't going to suffer poorer water quality.
 

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