Help! New Puffer

[SultanOfSushi]

Just got a Valentini Puffer last night from the LFS. Checked him out last week at the store but wasn't sure so waited until last night to get him. At the store, he was in a tank with a very active food dominating Unicorn Tang. He was upside down hanging out under one of the plastic pipes in the tank. We brought him home and did out usual acclimation process - drip of tank water into LFS water in a bucket. Did this for 1.5 hours. Parameters of 75QT tank are good - zero phosphate, nitrites, ammonia. PH 8.15 / salinity 1.024. Tank is fully cycled with lsb .. When we put him in the tank he was still upside down floating around on the top on the current. We weren't sure what to do and went upstairs for 30 minutes to give him some time. This forum's server was loaded so we were unable to search or add a new thread last night. Checked on him later and he was upside down and hanging out under one of the power heads. He seemed calm and his eyes were following us around. This morning he is still upside down by the power head.. Please help! This can't be normal - what should we do? Is it possible he inhaled some air - not obvious looking at him. Do we try to massage him to get the air out or is it possible he has some parasites? We really like the little guy and don't want to lose him.

 

[Hattie B]

Hello,

Canthigaster valentini nice puffer.

It is possible that he inhaled air, how did they get him out of the tank?

inhaling air of course, is much worse then water.

Worms are possible; but that is another topic as they should not affect buoyancy of a fish.

I would suggest that since he is not doing well at the moment, to really keep an eye on him and your powerheads. IF he is stressed or sick or weak he could get "sucked up" onto the head which could cause damage to him.

Have your tried burping him?

 

[SultanOfSushi]

We are going to try burping him this afternoon. I read if they have inhaled air they act in a way similiar to our guy. The LFS used a plastic container to get him - was easy to catch but while he was in the bad on the journey home, he stayed at the top of the bag. Guessing he inhaled air from the bag? .. we are going with that in our first attempt to help him. Other than the strange upside down floating behavior, he looks great (sounds strange) his eyes are very clear and his coloring is good. He is not hiding his dorsal fin. thanks for your help!

 

[SultanOfSushi]

powerheads are turned off for now to avoid that from happening.

 

[Hattie B]

Thats a good idea with the powerheads. there was a pic awhile back here where a puffer got stuck on a PH.. not pretty.

That's good that they caught him with a bucket, and not a net.

I would try burping him and see if that helps.

Let me know if he improves or stays the same. I happen to really like puffers, I have a Mappa.

 

[SultanOfSushi]

Puffer Update:
We went home to find him right side up but still at the top of the tank on top of the power head (not in use). We did the burping and it made him inflate some but with water and then he exhaled it and was swimming around. We got a plastic critter cage (as recommended on another site) and placed him in it with a set of plastic pipes (from our display tank so they are full of algae and great hiding spot) to anchor on the floor of tank. He seems to be ok - he wrapped himself around the pipes b/c I'm sure he was scared. Seems like the burping did help and the air is gone - whew! No wonder there is a website exclusively for Puffers (pufferforum.com). They are quite complex but very cute! Hopefully, he will be ok and be with us for a long time!

 

[SultanOfSushi]

One more Puffer Tip:
Read somewhere that when purchasing a Puffer from LFS that when catching Puffer to bag the fish while in the water - immerse the bag in the water and fill and get Puffer in bag that way - avoid Puffer coming in contact with air totally. Also learned should not acclimate as long as other fish b/c of the possible air inhaling. Just for future Puffer owners! Every tip helps!! (unfortunately, LFS workers tend not to be the most educated in fish)

 

[Hattie B]

Good info Sultan.

Glad your little guy is better.. I like TPF too. =)