porcupine puffer health - Saltwater Aquariums

SpriTzin · **porcupine puffer health -** 01-04-2008, 07:47 AM

I've had this puffer for a bit over a year, has grown well and has been generaly heatlhy. I've added nothing to the tank for about 6 months. In the last month or so he has stopped eating. not a realy noticable depression in his stomach like some at the lfs's, but not as big as usual. He's also started sitting on the bottom or rocks not moving, i know this is normal for puffers but mine has never done this before. he's also gotten ich about 3 days ago. i did notice some back fin damage as well and a slight scrape on his lower "lip". my guess is it is from my jewled eel. although i've never had a problem before. I even tried some live feeder shrimp, but he didn't even look at them. I have never been able to get him to eat anything but frozen krill, but he won't even take that now.

The water quality is not the best at the moment, nitrates are up a tad, but not out of range for a FOWLR tank. I do have a 55g with pristine water quality i could put him in temperarily. nothing in there but some damsels that are still to big for him to eat, as he's only about the size of your fist. ( well, my fist anway, maby 5-6" long )

Any sugestions would be greatly appreciated as this is my favorite fish and i'd like to help him. I've tried garlic soaking the food as well.

Europa · 01-04-2008, 08:21 AM

Put him in a QT and treat for Ich.

broaday09 · **porcupine puffer health -** 12-09-2009, 10:23 PM

Nice looking fish but your lion is going to eat the clowns and damsels, and the puffer will eat the inverts,isnt a 100g to small for the stingray ?

buckye4life · 12-11-2009, 11:08 PM

Just because there haven't been problems in the past doesn't mean there aren't now with the other inhabitants. I had a porcipune puffer that lived with another puffer for four years, and I eventually had to trade the other one out because the porcupine was getting beat up. This is a hardy fish, I would recommend moving to the 55 and evaluating. If you see ich treat for ich though use caution (my porcupine went on a hunger strike after I did this for an entire month, and lived). Good luck, I have had mine for 5 plus years and also my favorite fish.

buckye4life · 12-11-2009, 11:20 PM

wow, just realized this is a year old question lol