Sick Dog Face Puffer Thanks Terry

[adam12]

Terry,

Thanks

The puffer is now breathing rapidly, not eating and his eyes are badly covered with white. He is going to the bathroom in the form of a white cloud that looks like cream.

Is Hyposalinity a product?
Can I start the Cupramine now and will it kill the live rock and sand.

My local fish store owner told me Maracyn should do it. Interesting that you say it does not work well in saltwater.

It looks like he is on his last legs and I do not know where to start.

Help

Thanks

Adam

 

[Terry B]

Hi Adam,

It is sounding more like Amyloodinium now. This kills rapidly and it will spread to the other fish. Are there other fish in the tank? Hyposalinity is simply a low salinity environment. Did you read about it in the link to my articles? You need an accurate hydrometer or lab grade, large, glass hydrometer to measure the salinity (not the SG) accurately. Cupramine will ruin the live rock and sand. Copper should only be used in a quarantine tank without rock or substrate. Maracyn is only effective against gram positive bacteria and most pathogenic bacteria in saltwater fish are gram negative in nature.

If the fish is still alive then I would start hyposalinity to help and add Cupramine if you can’t get some Chloroquine phosphate (Marex). Keep the pH up. It tends to fall in diluted saltwater making the copper more toxic. Try not to remove the fish from the water if you move it. Catch it in a plastic bag or bucket. I hope that you use a quarantine tank for all new fish. You need a good antibiotic to combat the internal and external bacterial infection. I suggest Maracyn-Two at the DOUBLE dose, furacyn (nitrofurazone), or Furanase. Spectogram could work in a pinch. You are going to have to move fast to give the fish a chance.

Good luck,
Terry B