I'm at a standstill. lowered myself to go to Puffer Forum

[puffercorps]

I got a sick puffer again. hes blind, lethargic, wants to eat but can't eat.

Water parameters are all good. Trust me. Established 60 gallon with 2 GSPs.

I have no idea how this happens. He started acting fearful, which is normal for these Congo puffers. Now he is seaking me out at the front of the hospital tank. Treated 5 days ago Gen Cure. Yesterday Methylene Blue and salt.

Any ideas?

My phone decided to screw me agsain today, and wont send pics to my email, otherwise i'd post em.

Thanks.

[puffercorps]

saaaay! check me out! FULL MEMBER.

thats right bitches.

[Carl]

May 28, 2016 0:52:50 GMT -5 puffercorps said:

I got a sick puffer again. hes blind, lethargic, wants to eat but can't eat.

Water parameters are all good. Trust me. Established 60 gallon with 2 GSPs.

I have no idea how this happens. He started acting fearful, which is normal for these Congo puffers. Now he is seaking me out at the front of the hospital tank. Treated 5 days ago Gen Cure. Yesterday Methylene Blue and salt.

Any ideas?

My phone decided to screw me agsain today, and wont send pics to my email, otherwise i'd post em.

Thanks.

Sorry to read this

How are you using these meds?

Have you just treated once with General Cure in the main tank or a hospital tank?

Raising salt and mineral Cations is definitely a must IMO for these fish.

A bath or dip using MB is my preferred way to use this medication

Carl

[devonjohnsgard]

Id keep doing the baths, since we don't know what's wrong Even if it's just stronger MB baths/salt baths

[puffercorps]

Thanks guys. I knew I could count on you. My post to Puffer Forum was seen by 9 and I got 0 replys. Just as well. All the admins over there do is scold people and make you feel like a jerk or like it's your fault your fish is ill.
i had to go in under a fake account just to get in. For some reason they won't let me reset my password for the 4th time. I think its that Puffer Punk person. She's one serious bitch. She always likes to tell me her big fat opinion of my efforts, even tho I told her I am successful. Finally another person defended me after her last reprimand, to say he could attest to my efforts as he hasn't seen a puffer at any of the Walmarts in his neck of the Bay. After all her chastising and blaming me for adding to the problem, she actually had the nerve to say YAY! WE'RE WINNING! wutta douche.
anyway, I sure am glad you guys run a friendly and supportive group. I've had nohing but a good experience here, and just think you all are tops.

As for Niche, I couldn't control the ammonia last night in the hospital tank so i moved him back to the comune. His buddy Spanky, was happy to see him and this morning he is by his side under the rocks. He looks the same, lying on the ground lightly hyperventilating. Good news is he ate last night.

When he first started acting wierd I fed the tank Gen Cure with blood worms. hisbelly turned mottly dark and had those ring patterns. I treated the tank with Paraquard, for 2 day's, couldnt find anymore, so treated the whole tank with Gencure, with the usual water changes prior. after about 7 days of this he started getting the death stare . i moved him to guarantine and treated with the MB and salt 2 days, then the water was fuked from all the water changes and the amonia, then nitrite went up so I figured that alone was causing him more harm, so back he went. he did show imediate improvement,ate, so now i don't think hes nearly as blind.

The problem with dips is these guys HATE the net. They are so fearful of it I used to prop one up against the tank to break up mess hall rumbles back when we had a brig.
I think the stress cancels out only benefit of the dip.

anyway, i'm going to let him rest and start water tests.

Oh! and Carl Sir, in regards to the minerals I found this stuff called Kent Essential Elements I'm supplimenting the water after W/C'es. Is this the same as Wonder Shells or Gatorade?
I wish i could afford to do W.Shells al the time, but they go fast.
Is this Kent stuff okay?
Is there something better I can get through your store?

I gotta go pick up that lake for the Shelter today. This is going to be the same as building the Pyramids. hope i can pull this one off.

Thanks fellas. And thanks for the spiffy new title too! I just love little surprises like that. <3

[Carl]

PufferCorp

The KentEssential Elements is more similar to AAP/SeaChem Reef Trace, although I feel that the SeaChem product is better due to the fact they actually make the product themselves, thus oversee the process while Kent had their product made for them

Resource:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Seachem.html#trace

I personally feel for a fish tank, the Wonder Shell is the better choice since it adds a constant supply of mineral Cations

I understand your reservations with a dip or bath, as netting the fish is the major negative to this process and can sometimes negate any of the benefits (with certain fish in particular too)

I find that keeping the fish in a breeder net/box makes this process much less stressful



I personally prefer the use of the Medicated Wonder Shell better "in tank" over Methylene Blue "in tank"

Otherwise I totally agree with how you have proceeded to this point with the steps you have taken.

What salt do you keep in the tank?
While for most freshwater fish, just plain sodium chloride is OK to increase salinity with, for sensitive brackish fish, I prefer a good marine or better reef quality salt
Example:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/BulkSeaSaltFerts.html#reef-salt

Something else worth considering is the AAP/SeaChem StressGuard (do not mix with any product containing copper, but it can be used shortly there after or before)
Resource:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Seachem.html#stressguard

Going forward, I hate to say this, but I am sure you already know this based on your own experience and that is that there are unfortunately some fish you are not going to save.

BTW, thanks for the feedback as to our "friendly" forum


Carl