lethargic green spotted asian pufferfish

[puffer boy]

I've had 2 asian puffers for about a year now... woke up this morning and they were both floating at the surface... still alive but extremely lethargic... after a water change they seemed fine for about 30 minutes then back to surface again... anyone have a diagnosis on this one? It would be greatly appreciated.

[Reefscape]

are they showing any signs of illness over their bodies? What are all your current water parameters mate?

Niko

[puffer boy]

no signs of any illness... this was very acute... they were fine yesterday... did all tests on water and everything checks out... any ideas?

[puffer boy]

A little less than 2 months ago I added a small (7-8 inch) snowflake eel... been dropping in about 24 feeder guppies every week and a half... eel will eat half of these in the same day... the puffers "graze" on the rest... I'm thinking this might have something to do with it... just don't know exactly how or why.

[Reefscape]

can you please post the actualy test results for Ammonia, nitrITE, nitrATE, pH, temp and SG....we need to actually see these results to help you out mate...

Niko

[puffer boy]

Thanks for responding... The following are my test results... (Ammonia - between 0 and 0.25 ppm) (Ph - 8.2) (nitrITE - 0 ppm) (nitrATE - between 0 and 5.0 ppm) (temp. - 76F) (SG - 1.022)... hope this helps... anything else, let me know,
Eric

[puffer boy]

Please help... any advice would be great... my poor little fish are dying a slow death... it's horrible to watch... and on my birthday no less...

[Catpicklesdog]

I don't know alot about Puffers but your Ammonia levels definately need to be Zero and from what I've read (not experienced) they like that temp at 77F-79F. I know it's only a degree but it might help. Is there any chance that something has caused them to "puff" as this causes them stress - maybe they don't like your eel or it doesn't like them. Also any chance you can test for Phosphates as well? I'm really clutching at straws here but anything to help a fellow fishkeeper!!

[puffer boy]

Thank you so much catpicklesdog... they actually have "puffed"... this is why they are floating... something tells me that it's not a fear of the eel though, as the eel has been around for a couple months already and all has been well... besides, now the eel is acting lethargic as well... Still after one whole and one half water change every one in the tank is taking a turn for the worse... I'll try upping the temp a bit and checking phosphates (thanks for that)... I'm just puzzled... I'm thinking it may have started with the feeder guppies I dropped in 2 days ago... they may have been tainted some how...
Thanks again,
Eric

[Catpicklesdog]

Good luck with it Eric, hope it works out! Sorry i can't help with any other suggestions!

[Germanman]

im guessing the released their toxin...i would do a water change asap just to make sure and replace any chemical filtration and rinse any pads. i agree that the ammonia should always be zero.

[LittlePuff]

Guppies probably are the problem. Don't use feeder fish, that is one of the reasons why.

[Germanman]

Guppies probably are the problem. Don't use feeder fish, that is one of the reasons why.
yes very good point! freshwater feederfish can give liver failure to saltwater fish.

[puffer boy]

Well, figured out the problem... eel was slowly dying, filling tank with ammonia and making water extremely cloudy (this is why 2 water changes had no effect)... which, in turn, was killing everything else in the aquarium... eel finally expired this evening... when he was removed I changed the water one last time... all seems to be well now... puffers gaining strength again and water is staying nice and clear... what a frustrating way to spend a birthday... Thank you all for your advice.

Sincerely,
Eric

[puffer boy]

Just got the feeder fish advice... thank you for this as well... they will be excluded from their diet... back to black worms again

[Germanman]

Well, figured out the problem... eel was slowly dying, filling tank with ammonia and making water extremely cloudy (this is why 2 water changes had no effect)... which, in turn, was killing everything else in the aquarium... eel finally expired this evening... when he was removed I changed the water one last time... all seems to be well now... puffers gaining strength again and water is staying nice and clear... what a frustrating way to spend a birthday... Thank you all for your advice.

Sincerely,
Eric
sorry to hear about ur eel...thats always sad
Just got the feeder fish advice... thank you for this as well... they will be excluded from their diet... back to black worms again
also try krill, silversides and squid they should love it.

[Catpicklesdog]

Sorry to hear about your eel, let's hope your puffers make a full recovery!

[5xevy]

Sorry for the loss of your eel.

[puffer boy]

thank you all for your sympathy and good advice... lesson learned... hope this can help anyone else out there who's thinking of getting an eel, make sure you have ample filtration, and of course don't overload your environment... I knew better but thought I could make it work... guess not... at one eels expense... very bummed and won't do that again.

[puffer boy]

Oh, by the way, puffers and water perameters seem to be making a full recovery... at least I didn't end up losing everyone

[Germanman]

Oh, by the way, puffers and water perameters seem to be making a full recovery... at least I didn't end up losing everyone
glad to hear that!:)

[Catpicklesdog]

You'll have to post a picture when they're all better so that we can see them.

[puffer boy]

You'll have to post a picture when they're all better so that we can see them.
OK, sounds like a plan... 'til then,
Eric

[Catpicklesdog]

How are them puffers doing Eric?