Golden Puffer, Beak problem?

[hayes112]

I have a golden puffer in about the 9" range. He has always been very active and sociable and ate like a pig until about 3 weeks ago. He started getting less active and he was starting to eat less and less. I couldnt see any sighns of parsites on its body but I did notice a something wierd going on with the lower part of its beak. Its not broken or anything it almost looks more like a cavity, the rim of the beak on both sides has a browning to it and the part of the beak on the inside of its mouth looks like there is some type of fuzz on it. He hasnt anything now in maybe 8 days he acts hungry sometimes but when I go to feed him he refuses. If anyone has any thoughts on what to do please let me know.

Thanks again.

 

[LisaD]

I don't know how to help you. What you describe sounds like some kind of fungal or bacterial infection. I don't know if it has anything useful in it, but this article came to mind:

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_2/cav2i1/puffer_dentistry/puffer2.htm

You may want to try contacting Kelly directly, she is a puffer expert.

You might also want to look over, and possibly send your question to the FAQs on puffer disease at WWM:

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/pufferdisfaqs.htm

Good luck! I had a golden puffer waste away for no apparent reason, while all the other fish in the tank remained healthy. After the puffer died, someone suggested it could have had worms, that puffers often lose appetite and health because of internal parasites.

 

[hayes112]

Thanks for the links lisa. I hope there will be some treatment I can find to help him.