Fahaka Puffer with IP's (pics)

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Rivers2k

Rivers2k

Piranha
MFK Member
Dec 27, 2011
1,531
46
81
NY
So I finally got a long sought after fahaka puffer. He is currently in his quarantine tank the puffer is 2" in size. He arrived in the mail Friday completely emaciated. I had the tank set up with ghost shrimps and pea size pond snails. I also tried frozen blood worms. I am treating with Prazi Pro in the tank as per the direction and I also soaked the food with prazi pro. The problem is he isn't eating. The puffer is nearly dead. He is so weak that he was stuck to the filter intake last night so I turned off the filter and I am oxygenating the tank with an air stone. I figured he would be dead in the morning but to my surprise he is still swimming.

So Any trick to getting a puffer to eat?

PS. I did try open clams soaked in garlic extract. Still no interest. The person who sold him to me said he was feeding on feeders so I currently have some happy feeder fish swimming around my tank.



 
Wow, that's brutal. I hope he pulls through.
If you still don't have the filter running, don't add any extra food. I'd remove the feeder fish since they will just be adding to the bio load. If he has the energy he'll eat the snails, but he might be too far gone. Poor little guy is terribly thin.
Good luck.
 
I cant start the filter because when he swims by he get sucked to the intake. I am doing water changes daily and removing uneaten food. If he is still alive tomorrow I am going to do morning an night water changes to keep up with the bio load of the feeders. Then again I might just remove the feeders tonight. I really hope he pulls through to, I wanted a fahaka so bad.
 
Maybe hold off on medicating him till you can at least get some weight back onto the little guy...

Since im guessing the meds could possibly be wrecking havok on his weak system atm trying to rid the worms?


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
Fat Homer said:
Maybe hold off on medicating him till you can at least get some weight back onto the little guy...

Since im guessing the meds could possibly be wrecking havok on his weak system atm trying to rid the worms?


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Click to expand...

Since he is so weak if I stop the meds wont the IP's kill him? Ever have any issues getting your fahaka to eat if so what did you do?
 
To be fair, you've tried pretty much everything i would have done except i would have used fresh garlic and crushed it up instead of using the extract just coz its easier for me...

Also, even though when i got my fahaka she was only about 1.5" and skinny with IPs she wasnt quite as skinny as yours...

I also tried to put some weight on her first before medicating, just because at such a young age they grow really fast, so personally i was thinking better to get her fattened up a little before putting her through a harsh IPs treatment, since in the wild they dont have IP's meds and as long as they manage get enough food they will survive...


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
Btw, since i dont think you mentioned it, did you ever try using epsom salt to try and help flush your puffers system a lil?


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
I did not try the salt. I typically use it in my other tanks I should have thought to try that. I posted this on a few forms and I got the same advice from another person about the meds. I think I am going to do a 50% water change take out the feeders. Then add some earth worms. I have been told and also read they are a food the puffers cant refuse. Hopefully I will have a positive update tomorrow.
 
Don't know if you'd be able to get him to take it, but cooked egg yolks might be worth offering. I'd do it in a smaller holding tank and put it right in front of his face (or you could liquefy and try to syringe feed). I've brought a wide variety of animals back from the brink using egg yolk - reptiles, mammals, and yes, even fish.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom