Puffer ich? Velvet? Overprotective mama?

Neecey · Nov 13, 2018

Hey all. Saw my puffer puff up yesterday and afterwards I saw spots on him. I had a temp drop a week or so ago due to my stupidity. I forgot to turn the return pump back on after feeding and the heater is in the sump. Kinda freaking out and would like to start treatment asap if necessary. I have read the threads on here, and I think Ttm is the only safe way I can manage this if it is ich. Sooo my question is, does this look like ich or velvet? And anyone have experience with ich-x for a puffer? Any input is appreciated! Thanks guys!

Flippers4pups · Nov 13, 2018

Neecey said:
Hey all. Saw my puffer puff up yesterday and afterwards I saw spots on him. I had a temp drop a week or so ago due to my stupidity. I forgot to turn the return pump back on after feeding and the heater is in the sump. Kinda freaking out and would like to start treatment asap if necessary. I have read the threads on here, and I think Ttm is the only safe way I can manage this if it is ich. Sooo my question is, does this look like ich or velvet? And anyone have experience with ich-x for a puffer? Any input is appreciated! Thanks guys!

Not sure. Tough call. If anything it could be ich. Let’s see what others say.

@HotRocks, @4FordFamily

Neecey · Nov 13, 2018

It is SO hard to get a good pic of the spots. Lol I knew this wouldn't be an easy one.

Flippers4pups · Nov 13, 2018

Neecey said:
It is SO hard to get a good pic of the spots. Lol I knew this wouldn't be an easy one.

Are any of the other fish you have showing any signs?

Neecey · Nov 13, 2018

I have a damsel with no spots that has been flicking a bit, but I imagine that was a bit of nitrates. And a copperband butterfly that is acting fine but may have a spot. Or he just bumped into the LR while running from the tang. Lol (oh God dont call the tang police! A 125 us on it's way soon!) I actually believe the temp drop happened about 2 weeks ago. And this started after a 40% (maybe a little more) water change. The maroon clown, foxface lo, and lawnmower blenny seem to be fine though

4FordFamily · Nov 13, 2018

Those spots if anything are likely ich. I recommend TTM first. If it turns out to be velvet you should use Chloroquine Phosphate. If this cannot be found or you can’t get a script for pharmaceutical grade CP, I would try Copper Power at 1.75 and a Hanna copper checker to check levels. Not optimal but it’s the only way to treat velvet that the puffer will have any chance to accept. I suspect this coupling would work although puffers are known to be sensitive to copper.

I suspect that pairing and certainty of dose for 14 days and then a transfer to a completely sterile QT would work fine, however.

Flippers4pups · Nov 13, 2018

Neecey said:
I have a damsel with no spots that has been flicking a bit, but I imagine that was a bit of nitrates. And a copperband butterfly that is acting fine but may have a spot. Or he just bumped into the LR while running from the tang. Lol (oh God dont call the tang police! A 125 us on it's way soon!) I actually believe the temp drop happened about 2 weeks ago. And this started after a 40% (maybe a little more) water change. The maroon clown, foxface lo, and lawnmower blenny seem to be fine though

Do you have a tank to set up for a QT if needed? It may come to that.

Neecey · Nov 13, 2018

4FordFamily said:
Those spots if anything are likely ich. I recommend TTM first. If it turns out to be velvet you should use Chloroquine Phosphate. If this cannot be found or you can’t get a script for pharmaceutical grade CP, I would try Copper Power at 1.75 and a Hanna copper checker to check levels. Not optimal but it’s the only way to treat velvet that the puffer will have any chance to accept. I suspect this coupling would work although puffers are known to be sensitive to copper.

I suspect that pairing and certainty of dose for 14 days and then a transfer to a completely sterile QT would work fine, however.

Thank you for the advice! Ttm was definitely my first choice. I have grown rather fond of this guy and would hate to make things worse if I have to go the copper route

Neecey · Nov 13, 2018

Flippers4pups said:
Do you have a tank to set up for a QT if needed? It may come to that.

I am working on that as we speak. Though I only have a 20 gallon available at the moment. He will be cramped, but hopefully not for too long if need be.

Neecey · Nov 13, 2018

With this starting yesterday, I intended to take a wait and see approach for a day or two. I would love to be able to get ahold of some CP, but have no idea where to start since I live in a rural town. I will try to call the vets in reno tomorrow and see if they can do anything for me

HotRocks · Nov 13, 2018

Is the right eye cloudy?

Could be ich. Could also be flukes. Flukes are commonly found on the eye. Can you do a FW dip before you start ttm?

Neecey · Nov 13, 2018

HotRocks said:
Is the right eye cloudy?

Could be ich. Could also be flukes. Flukes are commonly found on the eye. Can you do a FW dip before you start ttm?

His eyes are crystal clear, would be nice if a fw dip would take care of this though! Lol

Neecey · Nov 13, 2018

Now that I'm looking I may have to try a freshwater dip... could be flukes brought in on a xenia I just got saturday. First coral purchase and I'm the dummy that didnt dip it. ;Facepalm

HotRocks · Nov 13, 2018

Corals need dipped for coral pests. They need to be QTd to prevent unwanted pathogens for fish.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/coral-invert-quarantine-time-frames.334584/unread

Neecey · Nov 13, 2018

HotRocks said:
Corals need dipped for coral pests. They need to be QTd to prevent unwanted pathogens for fish.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/coral-invert-quarantine-time-frames.334584/unread

lol sorry, my noob is showing! First sw tank, and inherited it from a guy who took little to no care of it. Learning as I go.

HotRocks · Nov 13, 2018

Neecey said:
lol sorry, my noob is showing! First sw tank, and inherited it from a guy who took little to no care of it. Learning as I go.

No problem. You are at the right place. That's what R2R is all about. We all started from scratch at some point.

HotRocks · Nov 13, 2018

Here is a helpful link if you do want to try a FW dip.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/freshwater-dip.248898/

Neecey · Nov 13, 2018

Freshwater dip has been completed. Seems like some spots loosened or came off completely. He is doing well and is eating like a champ, so I will see how he looks tomorrow. My r/o water is filling so I can fill the qt just in case, and dose with prazipro (which I have) or if I need to take steps against ich, I will be prepared. Thanks for your help all! I will update when I know more!

Mfreddy · Nov 20, 2018

My puffer has micro bubbles all over his body for a while after he puffs. Do they go away after a while?

Hitman · Nov 20, 2018

@Humblefish @HotRocks @Flippers4pups @4FordFamily
I thought copper products were a no no on scaleless fish like puffers? I ask because our Porcupine Puffer who is now in QT has spots that suddenly appeared after he puffed up when he swam into the backside of the powerhead and puffed up last night. I checked the QT tank this morning and now it has a ton of white micro dot sized things crawling on the glass. I'm guessing ich as the Golden Damsel that was 5 weeks in on his QT process and has not had a single issue is now covered in white dots this morning :mad: