little off topic..but puffer terribly sick...need help!

[tdaily]

Hi
I know this is a reef forum, however, I also realize that many of you have a wonderful general knowledge of fish. I have a Porcupine Puffer who
is extremely sick. He hasn't eaten in over a month. I've tried everything I know possible to treat him. I even put him in a completely new tank, fully cycled and free of everything I foresee as being harmful; still nothing.
Lately he seems to have a tumor of sorts. His back is extremely hunched, which I figured may be due to some malnutrition, however, I'm not sure. Other than that there are no external signs of sickness.

Does anyone have a clue as to what this may be or some other way I may treat him? If not I fear he won't last much longer.

Thanks
TonyD.

 

[danmhippo]

Tell us about your tank's parameter, when was it setup, filtration setup, testing results and brand of test kit used. How large the tank is and what other fish are kept with him. Have you checked for stray voltage in the tank, and what have you tried feeding him lately.

How big is he, and have you seen him eat at LFS?

 

[Len]

You're in the right forum. The GRD is about everything related to reefs, including fish that inhabitat tropical waters

If you're confident it's not an issue of stress/water quality (e.g. all other fish doing fine), then I have the following to suggest:

A common phrase for your fish's condition is dropsy, often marked by lack of appetite and swollen body/belly (leading to severe body contortions). The problem with this condition is that it can be caused by an indefinate number of factors. The fish may have a genetic disposition to this disease (much like humans have genetic dispositions to develop certain disesases). The condition may also be metabolic irregularities or a viral pathogen. In any of these cases, nothing can be done. You can find a little comfort in the fact that it's not your fault; these things just happen, in the wild and in captivity.

However, before you abadon hope, try antibiotics first to eliminate the possibility of bacterial infection. Antibiotics containing nitrofurazone is your best bet. Spectragram, a broad spectrum antiobiotic, is worth trying too. You must do these medications in a seperate tank, and not one with other organisms present. It sounds like you have a dedicated tank already, so this shouldn't be a problem. Follow the manufacturers suggestions to be safe, but generally, their doses are underrated, and should be higher then suggested. Slowly increase dosage 20% every day for 3 days, then leave the fish medicated for 2 weeks. See if the fish' condition improves.

Another possiblity is infestion of worms within (usually intestinal). I have no practical experience here, but there are reportedly a number of useful anti-worm medications on the market that may help.

If these don't help, you probably have no choice by to euthanize the fish. It's probably unpleasant to hear, but i'll suggest 2 methods of euthanisia. The best way is to wrap the fish up and apply a rapid, powerful blow to the head region. This is too gruelsome to most however. An alternative is go to your vet and see if you can get a small cup of Methane Sulfonate (MS-222). This puts the fish to sleep, and you can place it in the freezer to die a painless death. Alcohol is not a substitute (I've seen fish gasp for life in alcohol solutions).

 

[tdaily]

I have tried nitrofurazone out the wahzoo. I'm haven't, however, tried Spectagram or found anything that claims to treat for intestinal worms. I will try and locate medications to treat for that. Euthanization would be very painful, probably moreso for me than the fish. I've had him for a long time. Thanks for your suggestions. At least I have a couple more options before completely giving up.

Thank you
TonyD.

 

[tdaily]

In response to danmhippo: I removed him to his own tank about a month ago. It it's a fully cycled 29gal. with normal water conditions, according to SeaChem. There is no voltage source inside the tank. And I have tried to feed him everything I can think of; he just stares at it as if he would love to eat it but knows it will hurt him too bad to do so.

I'm not sure what LFS means (probably something simple that I just cant remember right now) :wink: , but he is about three-and-a-half inches long and one-and-a-half wide.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
TonyD.

 

[philakapd]

Hi Tony,

You noted your puffer has not eaten for a month or so. IME this is not uncommon when they are introduced into new surroundings or when they are not happy. When I had to deal with this problem, I tried to feed them every type of food I could get my hands on, either at the LFS or online. The only food I found to work didn't come from the deli or the LFS. I found it in the freezer section next to the Banquet pot pies.

Mussels. I cannot remember the name of the manufacturer, but they come in a 2 lb bag. The bag states these mussels are from the indo-pacific region and have been baked just long enough to get the shells to open. They are still loaded with all the juices, seeweed, and fats you would find in a live mussel but they are now convienently on the half shell and flash frozen for easy handling.

I allow about ten shells to thaw slightly and cut up in large chunks. As they sit on the cutting board, I add selcon and kent's zoecon and zoe. I then refreeze. Try placing a piece on a skewer and dangle around face, hopefully he cannot resist the fatty juices flowing by and he takes the bait.

Good luck, I hope you are not dealing with a pathogen, parasite, bacteria, etc. They are such a wonderful species. Hearty and happy. May you see that again SOOOON!

Phil

 

[LeoR]

tdaily:

I have managed to save one Porcupine (from a LFS) with almost exact symptoms like yours.

The answer: Fresh natural food.
You must get him to eat, medications will not keep him alive.

I don't know what foods you have tried, but fresh, live oysters, clams and mussels should work (let me know if you need more ideas).

An old, stable tank is preferred over a freshly cycled tank (there is much more to a proper living environment than the concentrations of nitrogens).

Porcupines are sensitive to pH changes, need a lot of oxygen and dislike strong lights.

LeoR

 

[tdaily]

Thanks for the food suggestions guys.

TonyD

 

[danmhippo]

Live beach crabs or feeder crabs work wonder for my ex-puffer as well. He literally gulp down a whole crab.