My new figure 8 puffer fish is not eating :(

[Bairdar]

Hello,
I just bought a 10 gallon fish tank, the Fluvial Chi, about 5 days ago. I bought my very first puffer and took him home yesterday, June 10, 2011. When I introduced him to his tank, he seemed very happy. He swam all over, seemed very happy, and was eating all of the little snails and bloodworms that I gave him. Today, however, he seems very sluggish. He wasn't swimming around and was curling in his tail. I took a water sample to the store where i bought him, and they stated that the ammonia levels were very high. They gave me "Prime" to take home and pour into the tank.
Now he looks much better, his color is bright, his tummy is white, and he swims to my directions, but he's not eating. He'll eat a bloodworm or shrimp and spit it out.
I'm open for any advise, please help, I don't want him to die. Any suggestions of how to make him feel better?
Thank you.

 

[rainbowcharmer]

Sounds like this tank is not cycled. I am not familiar with puffers and their needs, but I'd say this fish needs to go back to the store until the tank is finished cycling. High ammonia signals that you're at the beginning of the cycle process (a process that is incredibly stressful and often deadly to fish). I am not sure if the tank is big enough for the puffer either, but someone else can clarify there. For now, the best thing you can do is constant water changes and use prime when you re-fill with clean water. I would say you'll need at least 50% water changes every day, perhaps multiple times a day, until you can either return the fish or finish the cycle (takes 6-8 weeks on average).

 

[Rbishop]

Welcome to AC!

 

[tonergirl]

Sounds like this tank is not cycled. I am not familiar with puffers and their needs, but I'd say this fish needs to go back to the store until the tank is finished cycling. High ammonia signals that you're at the beginning of the cycle process (a process that is incredibly stressful and often deadly to fish). I am not sure if the tank is big enough for the puffer either, but someone else can clarify there. For now, the best thing you can do is constant water changes and use prime when you re-fill with clean water. I would say you'll need at least 50% water changes every day, perhaps multiple times a day, until you can either return the fish or finish the cycle (takes 6-8 weeks on average).

I totally agree with rainbowcharmer and those water changes should be implemented immediately, so the little guy doesn't suffer! Good luck with him.

 

[jbradt]

Puffs are very sensitive to ammonia... more so than most fish. Your tank is definitely still cycling. Figure 8s are brackish fish, not freshwater; so that's probably a factor too. If you post this question in the brackish section, you'll get more responses from many knowledgeable people.

For now, do large water changes using the prime or take him back to the store.

Good luck with the little guy.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

Welcome to AC.