Puffer Swimming Funny

JSM

Premium Member
I have a porcupine puffer who is swimming on his side rather than upright. He is eating same as usual but just can't seem to swim correctly. I have had him for 8 yrs, he is probably 14-15". I'm assuming it has something to do with his swim bladder but I have no idea how to treat it or if it's even treatable. If anyone has any insight it would certainly be appreciated. Thanks.

Janna
 
Assuming it's a swim bladder issue, you could try:

ACETAZOLAMIDE (immersion) Dosage and Preparation Instructions for a 10g/38L Hospital Tank
Active Ingredient: Acetazolamide
Indication: gas bubble disease, edema, popeye
Brand Name: Diamox
Dose at 250mg per day for 3 days.
Replace the medication in ratio to the amount of water changed daily as needed to control ammonia.
Day 1 of Treatment
• Crush one 250mg tablet into a fine powder.
• Use a mini-blender or small hand-blender to thoroughly mix the powder with about 1 cup of marine
water.
• Allow the mixture to set for a few minutes.
• Gently pour off the dissolved portion of the mixture and discard any residue that has settled at the
bottom of the container. (Do NOT add the residue to the hospital tank).
• Pour the mixture into a high-flow area of the hospital tank.
Days 2 – 3 of Treatment
• Perform 50% water change.
• Repeat "Day 1" instructions.

You can use the above med concurrently with Furan 2 per package directions.

The Diamox may relieve any edema, which might help with the buoyancy issue, and the Furan 2 to combat any bacterial infection.

Also, if you can drop your temp to 74*F during treatment, it will help slow any bacterial infection.
 
Are you sure they don't have swim bladders? I have read that they do have swim bladders, but that it is an unusual placement.

However, I would guess that for trapped air, if an infection is present, may also be treated with Diamox. it is commonly (and effectively) used for some seahorse problems. Not saying its needed here, but if the problem can't be resolved by other means, it could be worth a try. I got mine without a prescription (online, overseas - would never do this for meds a human needed!), but it is possible to talk to a vet about it - a human doctor doesn't need to provide the scrip.

Off-topic, but I LOVE your avatar, PP. :)
 
I'm interested in knowing. I can't find the place where I read that they DO have them! It may have even been somewhere on your forum. I think of fish without swim bladders as the ones that have to try soooo hard to get into the water column, and when they stop swimming, they sink like stones.
 
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