HELP! PLEASE! I dont know whats wrong with my pea puffer

[Jack English]

I've had my pea puffer for about 6 months and he's been eating fine and everything until yesterday when I found him lying on the sand. He's not eating but he's still alive since his eyes are still moving. I checked my water parameters and everythings fine except my PH has skyrocketed (it was 8.8!) Is this it? I don't know what to do

 

[kno4te]

Likely as a ph swing will stress out fish. Once stable it should improve.

 

[EntoStentor]

Definitely put it back around 7.5. NOT too abruptly though. You can do it over the course of a few days

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

What is your normal pH and why has it shifted? If you want quick help, you need to provide all the info you can think of.

What are your ammonia and nitrite numbers in ppm and with what test are they measured? Gotta start at least with basics, mate.

Mind you IDK anything about puffers or this puffer in particular. Is it f/w or saltwater or brackish?

 

[kno4te]

What is your normal pH and why has it shifted? If you want quick help, you need to provide all the info you can think of.

What are your ammonia and nitrite numbers in ppm and with what test are they measured? Gotta start at least with basics, mate.

Mind you IDK anything about puffers or this puffer in particular. Is it f/w or saltwater or brackish?

Would suggest posting some of the info like viktor mentioned. Pea puffers are pure freshwater.

 

[EntoStentor]

+1

I know these little guys well and none of mine have ever done that. I can only attribute it to the swing. Post the info but for the love of god lower your pH.

 

[RD.]

pH is a good indicator, but the stress caused from sudden changes will most likely be osmotic stress from a sudden shift in TDS. (total dissolved solids)

Pea puffers do fine in pH as high as 8.2 (in my area) but as stated a sudden shift of TDS can cause serious osmoregulatory stress in many fish. Typically it's most dangerous when going from high, to low.

The million $ question is, what is your typical pH value in this tank?

 

[duanes]

If your normal pH is 6.2, a slight, temporary ammonia rise may be close to benign, but a sudden rise in pH to 8+ can make ammonia much more acutely toxic.
What I'm wondering is why the sudden pH rise? New water source?
Was substrate changed, to higher calcium base, and if so, the possibility of an ammonia spike if other substrate was removed taking with it, a large percentage of beneficial bacteria?
along with the new pH altering media?
Were limestone rocks or sea shells added and other decor removed?
These are riverine fresh water puffers that should be able to tolerate average changes, but not if accompanied by sudden removal of beneficial bacteria, and drastic pH rise.
6 to 8 is a 200 times more basic pH change.

 

[RD.]

If your normal pH is 6.2

Where does it state what his typical pH is? Not sure where you got pH 6.2 from???

 

[duanes]

Where does it state what his typical pH is? Not sure where you got pH 6.2 from???

Yes
I should have prefaced that with, "if your pH is 6. whatever and rises to 8"