Fahaka puffer injured

jtjsm

Johnny
Nov 14, 2008
16
0
0
64
Bremerton Washington
I have a nine inch fahaka puffer named Fugu. Up until Wednessday evening he was in a 150, just him and a large pleco. The tank broke. Water everywhere, big crack through front glass. Fugu got a "cut" on his side. It's a clean cut. It is about an inch and a half long and a third of an inch wide. It is on his side. It looks like he has had the skin cut off this area cleanly. You can see what looks like a fatty layer underneath (white with little holes in it). I will try to post pics later. But I don't want to lose him. Has anyone ever had a similar injury to a fish? What should I do? Will he live? He is very active right now and it doesn't seem to be bothering him much. Im sure he is stressed from being in a small tank overnight and then into a 75 gallon until Tuesday until my new tank comes in. I read that stress coat works well with injuries. Any advice on this would be appreciated. I am really attatched to this guy.
 
Sorry hear about mishaps but glad to hear it's still with us.

I am sure it's under tremendous stress from this ordeal. Puffers can produce toxins when under stress thus small but frequent WC (avoiding drastic fluctuation) should benefit along with good/high quality carbon filtration, especially in small tank.

As long as no bleeding, I would wait for pics before commenting any further..

Hope all goes well!
 
This is FUGU. The cut looks like mesh where the skin is gone. I am treating with stress coat and did a water change. Will do daily water changes to keep tank as clean as I can keep it.

DSCN0137.JPG DSCN0142.JPG
 
Puffers can typically heal some pretty bad wounds. Keep in mind that puffers have adapted to fight against other puffers. A puffer fight isn't always a simple fin-nip or chase like other fish species. It is big teeth being used to take chunks out.

I'd say just keep the water clean and minimize the stress the fish is put under and it should hopefully recover. Maybe some food soaked in garlic to help the immune system? Not sure about Fahaka's, but seems to be a common suggestion for GSP's and F8's
 
Last edited:
Melafix will help with the healing & scarring & help prevent infection. Add an air stone.
Puffers can produce toxins when under stress
Not true at all.
 
I would not use any meds, especially Mel/Pim on puffers at this stage as such unnecessary dosing may promote further stress.

just wait and observe until other more definitive symptoms apppear which may require med or points to specific meds..

Hope all goes well.
 
I absolutely swear by Melafix exactly for this purpose.
 
Although sworn by some, Mel/Pim does not have or couldnt earn their place in my fish med cabinets, ime.
 
LOL, that's OK, it's pretty much the only one in mine! ;)
 
AquariaCentral.com