what on earth did i do to my puffer tank

[SirMinion]

When a puffer inflates, it sucks water into its specially adapted stomach, then exhales the water when it wants to deflate.

If the fish puffs out of water, it takes in air instead of water.

Because of the boyancy of air, when the puffer is placed back into water and tries to swim, the air causes it to become unbalanced and float tail up. The puffer then cannot expell all the air as some becomes trapped at the tail end and the puffer cannot orient properly.

In some cases it's possible to help the fish by holding it underwater, mouth upwards and gently stroking the stomach to encourage it to expell the air.

It's not clear why this can cause death to the fish but there are a number of theories
The main theory is that if the fish does not expell the air it quickly causes symptoms not unlike the condition affecting deep sea divers who surface too quickly called 'The Bends' where the blood becomes over saturated with gases which then form bubbles in the blood leading to terrible pain and eventual death as the bubbles reach the heart and brain.

Another theory is that the ingested air passes into the bowel where it becomes fetid leading to infection and eventual death.

Whatever the cause, it's clear that alowing a puffer to swallow air is a bad thing and everything should be done to avoid it.

The puffer should be bagged underwater by placing the fish bag or a suitably sized bowl in the tank the gently guiding the fish into it with a net.

 

[mattbeau]

well it seems that i did just about everything possibly wrong with him

now i know

and knowing is half the battle..

he didnt float tails up as stated he actually sank straight to the bottom, which i thought of as a sign of stress he stayed close to the bttom pretty much till he died.

so it may have been a swim bladder just the same.

well im doing a fishless cycle setting up the tank the right way.

here is the plan

about 10 anacharis plants

fake cave decor

some slate to make other hidey holes

sand substrate of tahitian moon sand (black sand) not black beauty

heater temp at 80

6g tank has a small biowheel power filter

an air stone with adjustable air pump

stocked food is frozen blood worms, frozen brine shrimp, and pond snails culturing in community tank

and 1 dwarf puffer that when purchasing is nice and plump full of color and is selected by not netting him.

after everything is setup the way he's introduced, i probably wont change it much

did i miss anything?

 

[pnyklr3]

I thought that I've read black beauty has small shards of glass in it. *please correct me if I'm wrong* If that is the case, then could the puffer have eaten some of the substrate and cut up his insides a little?

EDIT: I did read that in the oddball section....but you already know that cause it was your thread! )

 

[Erised]

Don't think you missed anything, and the setup sounds perfect to me Good luck with your next dwarf puffer!