Think my puffer has ich!

[combativeapologies]

I've been traveling for the past 5 days. The day I left my girlfriend called to inform me of a white spot on the tail fin of my porcupine puffer. At the time I had been up for what seemed like two days without sleep and basically brushed it off according to her. Because of my less than attentive interest she never brought it up again even after more than a dozen spots later. Now that I'm home and looking at the poor guy myself, he imo has a severe case of ich or something related. At this point he is eating normal (like a garbage disposal), swimming and just basically acting exactly as he always has. Since I have corals what is the best way to address this situation.

Thanks in advance!

 

[mvm]

Maintain water quality and feed often.

 

[gnashty]

If it is ich, act fast while he is still eating. I have a few spots on my new bluejaw trigger and this is what I did.

I keep my temp at 78, I bumped it up to 80 (takes a day or so to reach 80)

Mixed up some Seachem Metrodozinole and Focus with some vitamin supplement (i used brightwell) and a dash of garlic guard, Then I added some of their favorite frozen food. Allow it to thaw and bind together.

I feed this mix to all fish 3 times per day.

Ive used this method several times and <u>works for me</u>. It only works of the fish is still eating..

Puffers & Triggers are pretty hearty lil guys but are sensitive to alot of dip medications (esp copper) so if you must put him in a hospital tank (only advise if he goes south and stops eating) and treat then do so with caution.

 

[gnashty]

combativeapologies;609197 wrote: Since I have corals what is the best way to address this situation.

huh? what kind of puffer is it and what kind of coral? im not aware of a reef safe puffer!

oh, and to add to my above. if it is ich, find the cause too

 

[cr500_af]

gnashty;609282 wrote: huh? what kind of puffer is it and what kind of coral? im not aware of a reef safe puffer!

oh, and to add to my above. if it is ich, find the cause too

I'm pretty sure the puffers are considered "non reef safe" due to the fact that they will eat snails, crabs and shrimp... not so much for the corals.

 

[rbredding]

puffers are reef safe!! (they wont eat coral)

they are NOT invert safe (which most reefs use for their cuc)

I know it seems like I'm splitting hairs, but puffers wont go after coral, so it is possible to have them in the same tank..

 

[combativeapologies]

He is a 8 inch Porcupine Puffer and like he said above he does not touch coral. ATM he only eats shrimp, he leaves my hermits and snails alone.

 

[rbredding]

combativeapologies;609632 wrote: He is a 8 inch Porcupine Puffer and like he said above he does not touch coral. ATM he only eats shrimp, he leaves my hermits and snails alone.

who can blame him... shrimp are delicious....

incidentally, I've also noticed a white splotch on the top of my porc. (he's less than 3")..

he's eating very well (ferociously, even)..

 

[gnashty]

I know they are "reef safe" in terms of not munching coral but who has an invert free reef? I love puffers and would love to have on in my reef.

wow - 8" porc puffer - must be a huge tank!

 

[combativeapologies]

He outgrew his current tank quite a bit, I have a 196g that needs to be resealed and good to go.