Will This Work?

[iSnail]

Okay, new idea.

I think I'm going to put all my shrimp into the main tank, and have the puffer in a planted, 5gal tank. Yay.

From experience, the lone DPs are more relaxed and more funny to watch, especially males . A planted 5gal will be perfect. You can leave a few adult shrimps in there. I've been keeping cherries and DPs together for the last few months and they have been fine so far. No antennae or leg nipping, YET . Obviously shrimp babies get eaten but some still survive.

 

[Esfa]

ohhh......... curse my bank card.

Got a 10gal today and got two DPs. Sooo cute.

 

[iSnail]

Are your DPs going straight in your new 10gal? Make sure the tank is fully cycled before putting them in. They are very sensitive little things.

Any pictures of your cuties btw?

 

[Esfa]

Grarrgh, they've been in for 24 hours and they looked fine. Both females, and they were hunting down snails and even had some bloodworm last night.

Just looked at the now and they are both at the bottom of the tank. One swam up and had sand hanging on her.

Ammonia Nitrate and Nitrite are all 0. Temp is 27 degrees. I think the filter might be too strong, but i dont know how to turn it down.

 

[iSnail]

Ammonia Nitrate and Nitrite are all 0. Temp is 27 degrees. I think the filter might be too strong, but i dont know how to turn it down.

Nitrate 0? Is the tank cycled?

Try wrapping some foam around the intake tube to reduce the flow. I have to do it on one of my tanks too

 

[Esfa]

Ammonia Nitrate and Nitrite are all 0. Temp is 27 degrees. I think the filter might be too strong, but i dont know how to turn it down.

Nitrate 0? Is the tank cycled?

Try wrapping some foam around the intake tube to reduce the flow. I have to do it on one of my tanks too

yeah the tank is cycled. But i'm lucky enoguh to have 0 nitrate in my tap water! and the plants use quite a bit lol

One looks happier now, and is swimming around. Her tail is clamped, though.

The other is on the floor with sand trailing off her.. it looks like she's shedding her slime coat or something.

I'm crap with diseases... i think i've had about 2 ill fish in about 5 years.

 

[iSnail]

Does her clamped tail open up from time to time? Sometimes they close their tails for steering. Hopefully they are just adjusting to the new water.

 

[Esfa]

Does her clamped tail open up from time to time? Sometimes they close their tails for steering. Hopefully they are just adjusting to the new water.

Yeah, it does.

I'm just really worried about the other one.. she doesn't seem to want to swim at all. And the sand stuck on her.

 

[iSnail]

Just check the Ammonia & Nitrite levels to make sure nothing is going wrong. Change a bit of water (20%) to see if it helps.

 

[Esfa]

alright, will do.

 

[Esfa]

alright, will do.

woke up and one is looking fine, swimming around and has even hunted a snail.

the other is very lethargic and is still on the floor

Did another 50% water change, and there was no difference. My water is: ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 5.

Any idea what i should do?!

 

[iSnail]

Perhaps it's the stress of being moved around. Are there any other tank mates in with them? If so, you might want to put her in a breeding box/net with lots of plant clippings so that she is not bothered by other fish.

Just keep an eye on the water stats. When you do water change, make sure the temperature of the new water is not too different. This one time I put water that was too cold in one of my DP tanks (I forgot the water was that cold ) and the puffs sulked and stared angrily at me for hours

Hope she recovers soon

 

[Esfa]

Thanks. They're on their own atm.

They have moved off the bottom now, but now they are constantly at the top with their noses poking out. They don't seem to be gasping.

water stats are still perfect, i've tested them twice today with mine and my nexdoor neighbours test kit.

i really don't know what's going on.

 

[iSnail]

When I bought my first DPs as a newbie, one of them did the same - lethargic & not eating. It took him quite a while (maybe a week, I can't remember) to come around. I think DPs are very sensitive and susceptible to changes. Their little bodies are probably still trying to adapt to the new water. Try 20% water change daily. Hope things improve

 

[Esfa]

When I bought my first DPs as a newbie, one of them did the same - lethargic & not eating. It took him quite a while (maybe a week, I can't remember) to come around. I think DPs are very sensitive and susceptible to changes. Their little bodies are probably still trying to adapt to the new water. Try 20% water change daily. Hope things improve

ah cool, alright then. I will. cheers.