New MBU puffer.

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Nyrkorey

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Jul 19, 2021
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So my puffer will be coming in later this week. I've kept them before in years past but been out of the puffer game in terms of acclimation. He will not be going directly into my 450 then eventually will end up in my 1000gallon. He will most likely go into my 40 gallon quarantine tank since he is only about 5 inches. Till I can get him to destress and acclimate and he starts eating. I'm getting him from Rob from predatory fins. He's in great shape. For my puffer experts, as for medication just to be on the safe side, what do y'all recommend i do. I hear to make sure he eats first then add medication if need be but is there any precautions you guys take?
 
So my puffer will be coming in later this week. I've kept them before in years past but been out of the puffer game in terms of acclimation. He will not be going directly into my 450 then eventually will end up in my 1000gallon. He will most likely go into my 40 gallon quarantine tank since he is only about 5 inches. Till I can get him to destress and acclimate and he starts eating. I'm getting him from Rob from predatory fins. He's in great shape. For my puffer experts, as for medication just to be on the safe side, what do y'all recommend i do. I hear to make sure he eats first then add medication if need be but is there any precautions you guys take?
Deadeye Deadeye
 
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I don’t have any mbu experience, but with any puffer I find it’s good to have a dewormer on hand. Prazi or levamisole work well for different issues and can help stop a problem before it occurs.
They can be a bit more sensitive than other fish, so wait and see is definitely the better approach for puffers imo.
 
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I don’t have any mbu experience, but with any puffer I find it’s good to have a dewormer on hand. Prazi or levamisole work well for different issues and can help stop a problem before it occurs.
They can be a bit more sensitive than other fish, so wait and see is definitely the better approach for puffers imo.
I have prazi on deck just in case! Now I never had to ever honestly dose that stuff,.I've been very lucky with all my fish. What's a sign of a worm? Things to look out for
 
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When I bought a large group of schoutendeni puffers, the importer suggested that it was a good idea to dose levamisole every 6 months as a preventative against internal parasites since puffers are fed fresh and frozen foods primarily.

Signs I used to watch out for were white stringy feces, bumpy belly after feeding, or puffers that eat a ton but don’t grow or put on weight. Meaning, they eat so much they will look chubby right after stuffing themselves but if they go back to being thin on their sides after digesting, that’s a concern.
 
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Like P phreeflow said, not keeping on weight is the biggest tell. Often the fish will refuse food and start to starve, but they can also keep eating throughout.
White stringy poop generally occurs, but certain foods (mysis shrimp) can also cause that.
 
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Awesome.. so basically use common sense! Got it lol like I've said I've kept one before but lucked out with zero issues. He will quarantine for about 2-3 months in my 20 gallon. So I can easily monitor him. I'll keep an eye out for all of that. Rob said he's been eating shrimp and cut up fish. I'll make sure to let him settle with the lights off then try food next day or few days later. The white stringy poop I've heard about so I'll also be on the look as well! Thanks a bunch as usually guys
 
Thanks for all the help again everyone he's happy and nice and fat swimming around! Note he does have sand on the bottom of his tank quarantine tank now, I just forgot originally to add it like an idiot lol1000009856.jpg

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Quick update question, eventually when he moves into my bigger tank. I have decently water flow in there too keep sediment off the bottom. Do they do ok with heavier flow then normal or would it be best too turn it down some
 
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