Mbu Puffer Not Well

[Giroevolver]

Hi All,

I was hoping someone would be able to help me with my Mbu puffer as he doesn't seem to be very well. He is about 2 years old and I inherited him about 6 months ago from someone selling there tank.

He is in an aqualife tank 400L with an Rena XP3 filter and 2 heaters.

Other fish are Clown loaches serveral types of small tetra's neon's etc a plec and a few fish i dont know what they are.

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 25ish
PH 7

He is sitting on the bottom of that tank not wanting to eat at all. His pattern went very dark and i thought it may be Internal Bacteria causing the issue and have been treating with Myxain (not sure of spelling). he seems to have purked up a little and i am half way through a 5 day course. his darkness has gone and he has gone very grey instead and seems to be developting white spots on him coming what looks like out of his skin. Now it doesn't look like Ich at all but looks like cotton wool but I just cant tell if its fungus or not.

Any help would be great!

Thanks in advance

Giro

 

[jennybugs]

I am wondering whether you tank is actually big enough for the mbu. According to the puffer forum, these big fish grow to approximately 26" long and need a minimum tank size of 4000 litres with massive filtration.

What's your maintenance routine? How much water do you change and how often?

I know that doesn't solve the problem of what's immediately wrong, but it could be that his immune systems been weakened by being in a tank that's too small for him, thus making him susceptible to problems.

I hope someone comes along with more help for you soon

 

[Giroevolver]

Hi

He is only small around 6" so i dont think the size of the tank should be stressing him out to much I have had him in there for around 6 months and he has been fine and happy coming up when he see's me.

I am aware that the do get very big but I inherited him when i got that tank and I havent got the heart to let him go to a fish shop. my plan would be to get a bigger tank in the future for him.

Tank size is 4x2x2 1/2 so its fine for now plenty of room for him to move and turn.

I change about 25% every 10-14 days which i have done since i had him.

thanks

giro

 

[jennybugs]

With regard to the water changes, I understand it's best to do 50% water changes on a weekly basis with puffers as they're very messy fish and must have really clean water. It's what I practice with all of my puffers and by the time the water change is due, it's definately in need of doing if you get me and my tanks have both internal and heave external filtration.

I don't know if you've posted a pic of your mbu up (I can't see pics at work) but if not, could you try and get a pic of these white blobs that seem to be coming out of his skin? It may make it easier to see what's what.

 

[Giroevolver]

I dont have a pic of them at the moment but i will try and get one later and put it up.

he just isn't eating and i think he may starve soon

thanks

giro

 

[jennybugs]

I have heard of soaking the puffer's food in garlic juice prior to feeding to induce the appetite. I think it's available at LFS.

 

[Giroevolver]

Here is an uploaded image of the problem

please help!!

 

[Giroevolver]

Anyone else have any idea what this is? Picture uploaded!

Thanks

giro

 

[Jacomagoo]

columnaris? I only say that because im having a similar problem with some barbs and that was one answer i have come up with.