Carintoetraodon Irrubesco problems!

SaraB · 05-06-2007, 11:37 AM

Hi All

A friend of mine on another forum bought 2 red-tailed puffers yesterday, but they aren't doing too well. They are in a 50 L cycled, planted tank. Here's the post she made on the other forum:

The two new boys Carintoetraodon Irrubesco aren't doing too well! They are both on the bottom of the tank looking like they are gasping for air.
Perameters...
Ammona 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10-15mg/l
ph 7.8
Temp 28 degrees

I've done a 50% water change and we've put the bubble wall back in cos we're wondering if the water isn't aerated enough.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!

OrionGirl · 05-06-2007, 12:25 PM

Brand new? I'd be looking for parasites, and find out what they were being kept in at the store in terms of salinity. I know they are FW, but lots of places will put ALL puffers in light brackish. The sudden transition could be a shock to them.

SaraB · 05-06-2007, 12:36 PM

Thanks OG. Yes, she's had them less than 24 hours, I think.

If it's parasites, what can she do? In the UK it can be hard to come by some of the more usual products you have in the US - would garlic be of any use? (Or am I completely insane to suggest it?)

OrionGirl · 05-06-2007, 12:52 PM

There's no proof that garlic is at all beneficial in treating parasites, but it can be a great help in getting fish to eat. That would be my first concern--making sure they are eating. From there, most puffers are tolerant of salt for external parasites, but internal parasites are best treated with medicated foods--gut-loading live food like ghost shrimp would be best.

I don't know specifics about this species though, so having RTR or PufferMom chime in would be best.

PufferMom · 05-06-2007, 01:13 PM

I believe the friend has posted on thepufferforum.com already. Can't get better help than that IMO. Its likely they just need time to settle in, as puffers are notorious for taking awhile to become accustomed to their new homes.

As far as treating IPs, many of us have had great success with GelTek and PraziPro. Some in the UK highly recommend Flubenol 15. Whatever you use, their food must be treated as they must ingest the medication. But laying on the gravel and gasping for air isn't an indication to me of IPs. White, stringy poop and sunken in stomachs are signs to watch for.

SaraB · 05-06-2007, 01:19 PM

Thanks PufferMom! Yes, my friend has posted all over the place LOL, but all I could think of to do to help was to post here and at AF

Personally, I think the water temp is/was too high (which she says she has lowered, but I'm not sure where it's at now), combined with the stress of moving, but since I don't own puffers I don't have any real understanding of their behaviour.

PufferMom · 05-06-2007, 01:29 PM

Agreed, the temp was quite high and with higher temps comes lower amounts of oxygen in the water. But she says she is lowering it and has added an airstone so hopefully that will help. The temp should be 23-26 C.

05-06-2007, 11:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
SaraB Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 171	Carintoetraodon Irrubesco problems! Hi All A friend of mine on another forum bought 2 red-tailed puffers yesterday, but they aren't doing too well. They are in a 50 L cycled, planted tank. Here's the post she made on the other forum: The two new boys Carintoetraodon Irrubesco aren't doing too well! They are both on the bottom of the tank looking like they are gasping for air. Perameters... Ammona 0 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 10-15mg/l ph 7.8 Temp 28 degrees I've done a 50% water change and we've put the bubble wall back in cos we're wondering if the water isn't aerated enough. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks!

05-06-2007, 12:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
OrionGirl Miss you, Old Man Join Date: May 2006 Location: California coastline Posts: 6,683	Brand new? I'd be looking for parasites, and find out what they were being kept in at the store in terms of salinity. I know they are FW, but lots of places will put ALL puffers in light brackish. The sudden transition could be a shock to them. __________________ ~Sheila tempus edax rerum Ideas do not have to be correct in order to be good; its only necessary that, if they do fail, they do so in an interesting way. ~Robert Rosen

05-06-2007, 12:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
OrionGirl Miss you, Old Man Join Date: May 2006 Location: California coastline Posts: 6,683	There's no proof that garlic is at all beneficial in treating parasites, but it can be a great help in getting fish to eat. That would be my first concern--making sure they are eating. From there, most puffers are tolerant of salt for external parasites, but internal parasites are best treated with medicated foods--gut-loading live food like ghost shrimp would be best. I don't know specifics about this species though, so having RTR or PufferMom chime in would be best. __________________ ~Sheila tempus edax rerum Ideas do not have to be correct in order to be good; its only necessary that, if they do fail, they do so in an interesting way. ~Robert Rosen

05-06-2007, 01:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
PufferMom Puffer Keeper Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Southeast Wisconsin Posts: 249	I believe the friend has posted on thepufferforum.com already. Can't get better help than that IMO. Its likely they just need time to settle in, as puffers are notorious for taking awhile to become accustomed to their new homes. As far as treating IPs, many of us have had great success with GelTek and PraziPro. Some in the UK highly recommend Flubenol 15. Whatever you use, their food must be treated as they must ingest the medication. But laying on the gravel and gasping for air isn't an indication to me of IPs. White, stringy poop and sunken in stomachs are signs to watch for. __________________ Puffers: Auriglobus silus x2, Tetraodon travancoricus x1, Tetraodon miurus x1, Tetraodon turgidus x1, Tetraodon nigroviridis x2, Tetraodon baileyi x2, Tetraodon lineatus x1, Tetraodon palembangensis x1

05-06-2007, 01:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
PufferMom Puffer Keeper Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Southeast Wisconsin Posts: 249	Agreed, the temp was quite high and with higher temps comes lower amounts of oxygen in the water. But she says she is lowering it and has added an airstone so hopefully that will help. The temp should be 23-26 C. __________________ Puffers: Auriglobus silus x2, Tetraodon travancoricus x1, Tetraodon miurus x1, Tetraodon turgidus x1, Tetraodon nigroviridis x2, Tetraodon baileyi x2, Tetraodon lineatus x1, Tetraodon palembangensis x1

05-06-2007, 12:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
SaraB Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 171	Thanks OG. Yes, she's had them less than 24 hours, I think. If it's parasites, what can she do? In the UK it can be hard to come by some of the more usual products you have in the US - would garlic be of any use? (Or am I completely insane to suggest it?)

05-06-2007, 01:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
SaraB Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 171	Thanks PufferMom! Yes, my friend has posted all over the place LOL, but all I could think of to do to help was to post here and at AF Personally, I think the water temp is/was too high (which she says she has lowered, but I'm not sure where it's at now), combined with the stress of moving, but since I don't own puffers I don't have any real understanding of their behaviour.

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