Baby Fahaka acting off

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Morticia

Morticia

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Jul 28, 2016
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I just got him so I've been keeping a close eye on him. Tonight he began swimming erratically and when he isn't swimming he perches himself on a plant and pants...any ideas guys? I did a 50% water change just the day before yesterday and did the drip method to introduce him. He darts across then goes back to floating before resting on a plant. Should I begin treating him for parasites? I haven't seen this behavior in a puffer before so I'm concerned. I can't seem to upload the video I took.
 
He ate one blood worm and after eating it he panted heavily, but his gills do not appear swollen, I have an air line in there so plenty of oxygen the tank was treated this morning to insure there's no ammonia in the tank and I cleaned out all the worms that weren't eaten. I've included three pictures that show some of the behavior I'm worried about.

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Morticia said:
I just got him so I've been keeping a close eye on him. Tonight he began swimming erratically and when he isn't swimming he perches himself on a plant and pants...any ideas guys? I did a 50% water change just the day before yesterday and did the drip method to introduce him. He darts across then goes back to floating before resting on a plant. Should I begin treating him for parasites? I haven't seen this behavior in a puffer before so I'm concerned. I can't seem to upload the video I took.
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Fat Homer Fat Homer
 
^ agree with predator keeper... start dosing for internal parasites and keep an eye on him, but just make sure he handles the meds okay...since small, wild caught puffers that been through all the travelling take quite the beating...
 
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I was wanting to give him some time to adjust before I started treating, but this started. The best thing I can compare it to is the behavior I saw in my beta when he had swim blatter. But he has a blue haze on his eyes and his belly isn't round so I was thinking it was possible a parasite issue. Since he's so small should I use a smaller dose than what's recommended to start?
 
Start with half dose and see how he does, if no ill effects, up the dosage a little each time till at full dose...

Then after completing the med cycle give him a few weeks and see how he does, then if necessary, can go through another bout of meds, since getting rid of IPs can be a real pain...
 
The only thing my LFS has in stock is API general cure...will this work? Has anyone used it?
 
Active ingredients are 250 mg metronidazole and 75 mg praziquantel. I used a half dosage of it and after about an hour he's hunting again and swimming ok. I'm keeping a close eye his tank is set at the foot of my couch so I can keep a good eye on him.
 
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