HELP ME W/ MY NEW PUFFER!!!!!

[STONEDFISH]

Well I couldn't pass it up...my instincts to help ill fish cannot be suppressed! I went to my LFS today to pick up some feeders, and I saw this poor 2"-3" puffer (t.lineatus) that looked like he had been through some ruff times! I asked the owner about him.. he had come in over the weekend w/ three others and had taken some beatings! The other were sold and he was just chillin', looking bad. Price tag $34.99.

"If you take him to a better home I'll give him to you for $14.99"

SOLD!

My LFS rocks

Now he is in my 55gal w/ 5 big Polys and 2 4"-5" Scombs. I added some salt to the mix to help with the wounds, but he looks like he has some kinda film on parts of him...any suggestions? Do you see any immediate issues?
THANKS ALL!
STNDFSH

 

[STONEDFISH]

Come on guys.... I know you all have these fish!! I don't want it to get any worse!! Thank you!

fsh

 

[Oddball]

Basically, with puffers, it's salt and temp and leave 'em alone. Their leathery skin usually heals up quite rapidly. There may be a bit of slime sloughing but, that's not unusual.
Once he's healed you're going to want to rethink your arrangement. Fahakas aren't known to be complacent about sharing their tank. Especially prone to violence are any sedentary bottom fish. Count on several hard bites or the loss of a poly in the near future.

 

[RobD23]

at that size it's really hard to save a fahaka....generally when they get sick it's a good chance there on their way out ...i've saved some before but for the most part it will be difficult

 

[STONEDFISH]

Basically, with puffers, it's salt and temp and leave 'em alone. Their leathery skin usually heals up quite rapidly. There may be a bit of slime sloughing but, that's not unusual.
Once he's healed you're going to want to rethink your arrangement. Fahakas aren't known to be complacent about sharing their tank. Especially prone to violence are any sedentary bottom fish. Count on several hard bites or the loss of a poly in the near future.

I read that they aren't very nice to other fish, and can leave you with a nasty wound!! The polypterus are moving out soon, getting a bigger tank. The puffer will get that tank to himself if he can pull through.
Thanks!!
stndfsh

 

[Oddball]

If this is your 1st fahaka, here's a tidbit to help plan for its future. My 2 incher grew to over a foot in his first year. And to over 16" by the end of its 2nd year. He lived in a single-fish 120 that needed frequent maintenance due to his massive bio-"loads" and penchant for regurgitating recently eaten meals.

He also tolerated ZERO tankmates.

 

[STONEDFISH]

Wow....I've got to say, this little puffer is tough. He's already chewed the fins on most of my polypterus, none of which is smaller than 8". I don't think he can catch the scombs or they'd be roughed up too. I'm putting him alone in a 20 gal for now... think he can hang out in there for 2 months?
stndfsh

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

If its only 2 months it should be ok, just make sure your water stays clean!