Air Out Of Puffer

[rabidric]

Our puffer managed to jump out of the tank last night/early this morning, but we got him back in before he breathed his last, luckily. Problem is that he seems to have swallowed air and as a result he is really struggling to swim normally and has his face out of the water meaning he can't breath properly. We have set him under the filter so that he is at least submerged but he can't stay like that for long. Here's the question how do we get the air out of him or will he do it himself or is it the end for the little fella?

Any advice or ideas would be good.

Thanks

 

[Spooky76]

I cant think how you would do it, other than leave him to it.

 

[groovitudedude]

I would highly reccomend to hold him gently by the tail and shake him underwater so that all the air can escape. There is no way for him to let out the air, and you better hurry, or he will die. What type of puffer is it?

 

[rabidric]

He's a topaz, and we've had to leave for work so he's on his own til lunch time ish. If he's still hanging in we'll try that then.

thanks

 

[rabidric]

Yee hah! Wedging him under the filter seems to have done the job as he's now swimming about on his own. I will remember the ideas if it ever happens again.

Thanks for the help.

R

 

[backtotropical]

Are you sure he's swallowed air and not just 'puffed up'?

If he's puffed up he'll be stressed. (Puffing up isn't good for puffers believe it or not)

To get a puffer to deflate, hold it by the tail and take the tail out the water but leave the head underwater. It calms them down.

Sorry if that's no help.

 

[rabidric]

He was definitely full of air, he was hanging head up in the water and couldn't get his mouth under so we wedged him under the filter. He seems fine now but we've put a lid over so he can't do it again. Thanks for the help and ideas guys, really appreciated.