Mandarin Puffer fish?!

[Leslie Tabor]

@Humblefish And @melypr1985 and anyone else... I separated my male mandarin because the female was beating the snot out of him. He is in my little acclimation box. Seems to be eating? Swims around. Problem is, he is blowing up like a balloon. Any thoughts? It is not just his face, which I read about in another thread. It is his whole body from lips to tail. The swelling only started/became noticeable after putting him in the acclimation box.
Tank is 2.5 years old, Mandy's have been with me 2 years. No new fish in months. Temp is 77-78 degrees, salinity is 1.025 - 1.026, pH is at 8.2. I will keep trying for a picture.

 

[Leslie Tabor]

Better pics of what he looks like...

 

[Leslie Tabor]

 

[KMench]

How long have you had him for?

 

[Leslie Tabor]

How long have you had him for?

2 years

 

[Humblefish]

Wow, that's crazy. Is it possible he nipped on a zoa or paly? I'm trying to figure out what he might have ingested to make him blow up like that. It almost looks like an internal allergic reaction is happening...

 

[Humblefish]

Or I suppose an external skin reaction is possible as well. Do you have MB? https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/methylene-blue.257467/

I would give him a prolonged (1-2 hour) bath in that.

 

[Leslie Tabor]

Wow, that's crazy. Is it possible he nipped on a zoa or paly? I'm trying to figure out what he might have ingested to make him blow up like that. It almost looks like an internal allergic reaction is happening...

That is what I have been trying to figure out. It didn't start until after he had been in the acclimation box for 20-24 hrs. I have been feeding brine shrimp and fish eggs. There is just some rubble rock in the box, for him to hunt on. Nothing else. He looks horrible, but acts ok.

 

[Leslie Tabor]

Or I suppose an external skin reaction is possible as well. Do you have MB? https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/methylene-blue.257467/

I would give him a prolonged (1-2 hour) bath in that.

I can get MB at work tomorrow. Thank you for the link. I have been Google searching everything and nothing fits. I found some info on Epsom salt baths as well.

 

[Big G]

Gas Bubble Disease? You posted that it happened after the fish was in the acc box. Most acclimation boxes sit near the surface and that is where the water can become supersaturated with oxygen. Here's a link that may help: https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2014/8/fish

 

[Leslie Tabor]

@Humblefish And @Big G so would NEW methelene blue be the same as methelene blue when treating fish? I have access to NMB, or I have to buy MB.

How does one treat the gas bubble disease??

He is starting to look like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man lol but he is still active, swimming around. I moved the acclimation box down lower and put a rock on there to keep it closed.

 

[Leslie Tabor]

Here are some pictures from today...

He is definitely swimming with his head more down...his tail is almost curving up even when he is swimming forward.

 

[Big G]

Gas Bubble Disease is very difficult to treat. There doesn't seem to be a clear cut cure for the condition. Some have used needles to relieve some of the gas build up, but with very mixed results. There is some evidence that water changes may help remove some of the organic material that "may" contribute to the condition. Some also suggest very slowly raising the temp a couple of degrees to decrease gases in the water column.

 

[Leslie Tabor]

Well this is not sounding good for Amadeus. sigh...I will try what I can, thanks for the help.

 

[Humblefish]

@Leslie Tabor When using methylene blue, I would go with one of the aquarium products shown here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/methylene-blue.257467/

To ensure the concentration is safe.

 

[Sir Chris]

I named my spotted ringo. 3 days later he was dead on the sand bead like he had just passed. Clear eyes and a mucus coat when I was waking him... then pulled and found he passed just b4 me waking. So my naming fish has gone 2 simple she or he. People say when u name ur fish odd things happen and was my 1st named. I’m sorry he looks happy tho I have mine 8 months

 

[Leslie Tabor]

I named my spotted ringo. 3 days later he was dead on the sand bead like he had just passed. Clear eyes and a mucus coat when I was waking him... then pulled and found he passed just b4 me waking. So my naming fish has gone 2 simple she or he. People say when u name ur fish odd things happen and was my 1st named. I’m sorry he looks happy tho I have mine 8 months

He does seem happy, he just toodles around and his little "fat rolls" jiggle. I am going to give him as much time as I can to recover. My new 300 gal tank should be in next week, I am so bummed he might not see it.

 

[Michelle Crossley]

I really hope he gets better. Poor little mite

 

[Leslie Tabor]

@Humblefish and @Big G
and anyone else that would like an update! My Amadeus is doing GREAT! I pretty much gave up hope but as he was still swimming around and eating I couldn't euthanize him. I had a little 10gal all in one that I bought for clownfish fry so I moved him into that about 2 weeks ago now, and he seems to be deflating! He is actually almost back to normal, still a bit of love handles on his side but he looks great! I just don't know what the heck happened! Thanks for your input, just thought I would give you a happy update!

 

[Humblefish]

@Leslie Tabor That’s great news!!