Injured Puffer

[snack]

I am hoping someone can help me

I have a stars and stripe puffer fish that was introduced into my main tank about a week ago. He seemed fine the first day, eating well. When I checked the tank in the morning I found him upside down stuck in the inlet of my powerhead. I turned the powerhead off and pulled him out (I have since put pre-filters in so that this will never happen again). His skin on his chin was stretched and was drooping. Almost a week has past. His skin on his chin is falling off and pealing. There still seems to be a sack hanging down from his chin and he has some black marks around his gills. Unfortunately he has not eaten anything since the accident. I have tried live crayfish, fresh shrimp, krill, snails. He doesn't seem interested. What should I do for: a) his skin abrasion b) not eating?

Thanks

 

[kreblak]

Ouch. That doesn't sound like a pleasant experience. The only thing I can suggest is to soak his food in garlic juice. That is sort of a cure all for finicky eaters, IMHO. Your puffer isn't being finicky, though, he is severly injured from the sounds of it, so I don't know if it will work.

 

[Kit Walker]

Poor thing. I guess the worst thing is that you can't really tell if there is serious internal damage, as there is a possibility of muscle tissue or other damage.

Perhaps try tempting him with a favourite such as live brine shrimps? I would also try a good anti-bacterial healing med such as Melafix (I think it is for saltwater fish also) as this will prevent any red bacterial patches from attacking where the skin is falling away.

 

[snack]

Unfortunately the puffer didn't make it. I moved him to a hospital tank where the other fish wouldn't bother him but the injury was too much!

 

[Katz]

So sorry about your loss. Puffers are sooo cute.