Please HELP!!! Sick spiny box puffer

Humblefish · Aug 21, 2018

Donna Henley said:
Have you ever heard of ampicillin?

Yes, it's a penicillin based antibiotic. Unfortunately, not very useful for fish: http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumMedication2.html#penicillin

brwaldbaum · Aug 22, 2018

Ampicillin is widely used in aquaculture, is it not?

Humblefish · Aug 22, 2018

brwaldbaum said:
Ampicillin is widely used in aquaculture, is it not?

Not to my knowledge. Not exactly aquaculture, but most wholesalers/collectors I deal with are big on Nitrofurans.

Donna Henley · Aug 22, 2018

Humblefish said:
Yes, it's a penicillin based antibiotic. Unfortunately, not very useful for fish: http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumMedication2.html#penicillin

Oh ok. I was just give re text

Humblefish said:
^^ This is actually probably a better suggestion. But I would still add Metroplex to it just in case brook is also in play here.

Well the lil guy made it thru the night. He's a fighter that's for sure. I found the meds you was talking about , but it will take a few days before it can be delivered. I gave him a fw dip last night and put melafix in the qt and this am it looks like he has a worm or something in his left eye....ughhh he's suffering so bad I feel, I almost feel that he should be put to sleep but I'm not sure how to, and I know I don't have the heart to do it. I get very attached to any/all of my animals. I just don't know what else I can do

Donna Henley · Aug 22, 2018

Humblefish said:
^^ This is actually probably a better suggestion. But I would still add Metroplex to it just in case brook is also in play here.

So I just contacted a vet about humanly putting puff down. I hate to do it bc this lil guy has fought so hard to live. I'm thinking about trying the neoplex and the sulfaplex if you guys think that will help him, how long after I dose these meds should I give him to start getting better? I really don't know what to do....I don't want him to continue to suffer but if there is a chance to reverse this and him live a healthy life, I'm all for it. Have you ever seen a fish get better from a infection this bad???

Donna Henley · Aug 22, 2018

Ok so after talking with my husband we are going to order the sulfaplex and neoplex and have it over nighted. What would be a good antibiotic that I can mix with these 2 medicines? I mean this lil guy is a fighter and I can't give up on him just yet, he seems to still have alot of fight left in him. With that being said, does anyone think he has a chance of making it thru this???

HotRocks · Aug 22, 2018

Donna Henley said:
So I just contacted a vet about humanly putting puff down. I hate to do it bc this lil guy has fought so hard to live. I'm thinking about trying the neoplex and the sulfaplex if you guys think that will help him, how long after I dose these meds should I give him to start getting better? I really don't know what to do....I don't want him to continue to suffer but if there is a chance to reverse this and him live a healthy life, I'm all for it. Have you ever seen a fish get better from a infection this bad???

I would see if you can get the meds locally and give him a chance if it were me. Fish are slow to respond to ABX. It will probably take a few weeks to get him in decent shape. You said it was still eating though so you have a chance.

HotRocks · Aug 22, 2018

Donna Henley said:
Ok so after talking with my husband we are going to order the sulfaplex and neoplex and have it over nighted. What would be a good antibiotic that I can mix with these 2 medicines? I mean this lil guy is a fighter and I can't give up on him just yet, he seems to still have alot of fight left in him. With that being said, does anyone think he has a chance of making it thru this???

Those are the antibiotics, you are good to go.

Humblefish · Aug 22, 2018

Donna Henley said:
So I just contacted a vet about humanly putting puff down. I hate to do it bc this lil guy has fought so hard to live. I'm thinking about trying the neoplex and the sulfaplex if you guys think that will help him, how long after I dose these meds should I give him to start getting better? I really don't know what to do....I don't want him to continue to suffer but if there is a chance to reverse this and him live a healthy life, I'm all for it. Have you ever seen a fish get better from a infection this bad???

If you do decide to euthanize, this explains how: How to euthanize a fish

Donna Henley · Aug 23, 2018

Humblefish said:
If you do decide to euthanize, this explains how: How to euthanize a fish

Sorry to say puff passed away before his appointment at the vet. Glad he's not suffering any more. I will never again get a spiny box puffer, this was my second one. I love these fish so much and always wanted one, but I also love them enough to want them to live so I will just look at them instead of trying to have one . Thanks for everyone's advise I really do appreciate it.