Puffer about to explode

[4nReefer]

Hey guys my valentini puffer is about to explode. This started a few weeks ago,I noticed he was all puffed up and swimming frantically. I thought he was just doing his puffer thing, but everyday he seem to be expanding even more and more, he seem like he's about to explode. I thought it was overfeeding so I cut down my feeding but that didn't help, my water parameters seem perfect except for my nitrate but research shows that this shouldn't be a problem. Today I noticed there seem to be something protruding from his back it's either part of his fin or something growing from his inside out, or maybe he was stabbed by the shrimps which is highly unlikely.
I don't know what to do, please have anyone experienced anything like this and how do I fix it. He seem to be in so much pain and he's weak. I just quarantined him and he is swimming upside down(pic below). Please help me help him, he's one of my favorite. Everyone else seem to be doing great. I have a snowflake eel, Coral beauty, milinarus wrasse, leopard wrasse, cardinal, 3 fire fishes, and a diamond gobby. I also have 2 feather dusters, 2 gorgonians and a sponge, and of course snails, shrimps and crabs. All in a 75gal, with mechanical filter, hob protein skimmers, and a canister.

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[Sweeper13]

Sorry to see this happened to your Valentini . I would think air, but it probably should have expelled itself. If air is trapped you can try pushing it out with pressure on his belly. Maybe a lil tricky with a small fish. This method is seen done more with dog face species puffer. Bigger fish and ezr to handle. Do a search on this forum, Im sure you will find instructions on burping him. Is there a chance he got bit, stung by tank mate? Maybe something he ate is doing a number on him. Keep him in separate tank and hope for the best. Hopefully somebody else can help with better info and experience.

 

[4nReefer]

Sorry to see this happened to your Valentini . I would think air, but it probably should have expelled itself. If air is trapped you can try pushing it out with pressure on his belly. Maybe a lil tricky with a small fish. This method is seen done more with dog face species puffer. Bigger fish and ezr to handle. Do a search on this forum, Im sure you will find instructions on burping him. Is there a chance he got bit, stung by tank mate? Maybe something he ate is doing a number on him. Keep him in separate tank and hope for the best. Hopefully somebody else can help with better info and experience.

Thanks, I tried that but it didn't work...he died this evening, I tried all I could but it was too late. He had one of the greatest personalities in the tank, he'll sure be missed. Thank you for your input though.

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[Sweeper13]

Sorry