Puffer with BAD ich at LFS

Mariette · May 22, 2019

There’s a little puffer at LFS COVERED in ich. Just COVERED. No pics. Small. 2 inches. No idea what kind. Not a dog face. Short. Stubby. Maybe a porcupine? They’ve got him segregated in the invert system so I know no meds. It’s just a matter of time. I may already be too late. He’s in a tiny box hovering near the top looking just miserable. But Responsive. I put my finger up to the glass and he came over. He cane over guys!!!! I know the controversy around rescuing them. But my heart is breaking for this guy. Did I mention he came over?!? He’s been there since at least Tuesday and I haven’t been able to stop thinking of him since. I’ve got an extra 55g he can live in by himself till he recovers. Then can add friends and make it a FOWLR tank. What would you do?

I should add that I won’t be able to upgrade him to a larger tank. Ever. I’d have to rehome him one day

HELP!!!

sfin52 · May 22, 2019

Mariette said:
There’s a little puffer at LFS COVERED in ich. Just COVERED. No pics. Small. 2 inches. No idea what kind. Not a dog face. Short. Stubby. Maybe a porcupine? They’ve got him segregated in the invert system so I know no meds. It’s just a matter of time. I may already be too late. He’s in a tiny box hovering near the top looking just miserable. But Responsive. I put my finger up to the glass and he came over. He cane over guys!!!! I know the controversy around rescuing them. But my heart is breaking for this guy. Did I mention he came over?!? He’s been there since at least Tuesday and I haven’t been able to stop thinking of him since. I’ve got an extra 55g he can live in by himself till he recovers. Then can add friends and make it a FOWLR tank. What would you do?

I should add that I won’t be able to upgrade him to a larger tank. Ever. I’d have to rehome him one day

HELP!!!

Walk away. If you can't upgrade and you rescue him you won't be able to give him up.

Walk away.

Mjrenz · May 22, 2019

Mariette said:
There’s a little puffer at LFS COVERED in ich. Just COVERED. No pics. Small. 2 inches. No idea what kind. Not a dog face. Short. Stubby. Maybe a porcupine? They’ve got him segregated in the invert system so I know no meds. It’s just a matter of time. I may already be too late. He’s in a tiny box hovering near the top looking just miserable. But Responsive. I put my finger up to the glass and he came over. He cane over guys!!!! I know the controversy around rescuing them. But my heart is breaking for this guy. Did I mention he came over?!? He’s been there since at least Tuesday and I haven’t been able to stop thinking of him since. I’ve got an extra 55g he can live in by himself till he recovers. Then can add friends and make it a FOWLR tank. What would you do?

I should add that I won’t be able to upgrade him to a larger tank. Ever. I’d have to rehome him one day

HELP!!!

If it were me I'd do it, but only you can make the decision. It sounds like you may be his only chance at a long life though

sfin52 · May 22, 2019

did I mention walk away.

cracker · May 22, 2019

Hi Mariette , So You don't have a Qt setup & cycled ? It would be a lot better for the fish if Ya did.

Mariette · May 22, 2019

sfin52 said:
did I mention walk away.

Ahhhh. Did I mention I’ve got a 110g in the works that’s planned as a mixed reef? That’s why I’ve got a spare 55g. I don't have any corals. He could live in there for a good long time.
What’s the smallest tank you can keep a puffer in long term? Guess it’s a stupid question not knowing what kind of puffer it is huh?

sfin52 · May 22, 2019

Mariette said:
Ahhhh. Did I mention I’ve got a 110g in the works that’s planned as a mixed reef? That’s why I’ve got a spare 55g. I don't have any corals. He could live in there for a good long time.
What’s the smallest tank you can keep a puffer in long term? Guess it’s a stupid question not knowing what kind of puffer it is huh?

That would help and that does make difference. If its a Toby 55 is fine. Larger tank you could go for it.

Mariette · May 22, 2019

cracker said:
Hi Mariette , So You don't have a Qt setup & cycled ? It would be a lot better for the fish if Ya did.

I do. Here’s what I have:
- 110g tank sitting empty. Waiting for equipment to get it started.
- 20g cycled qt w 2 fish that have now been cured of Velvet and are awaiting transfer to 110g. That tank has no meds in it.
- 55g going fallow w inverts

Wherever I put the puffer, I’d have access to live rock from an established tank and can use DT water. But would go minimum on live rock at first during copper for obvious reasons

ScottR · May 22, 2019

How can you treat a puffer with ich? Supposedly copper is bad for them.

Mariette · May 22, 2019

sfin52 said:
That would help and that does make difference. If its a Toby 55 is fine. Larger tank you could go for it.

Not a Toby

sfin52 · May 22, 2019

Mariette said:
I do. Here’s what I have:
- 110g tank sitting empty. Waiting for equipment to get it started.
- 20g cycled qt w 2 fish that have now been cured of Velvet and are awaiting transfer to 110g. That tank has no meds in it.
- 55g going fallow w inverts

Wherever I put the puffer, I’d have access to live rock from an established tank and can use DT water. But would go minimum on live rock at first during copper for obvious reasons

Any bio media like rings and stuff like that. Sponge filter would also kick start the cycle

Mjrenz · May 22, 2019

Mariette said:
I do. Here’s what I have:
- 110g tank sitting empty. Waiting for equipment to get it started.
- 20g cycled qt w 2 fish that have now been cured of Velvet and are awaiting transfer to 110g. That tank has no meds in it.
- 55g going fallow w inverts

Wherever I put the puffer, I’d have access to live rock from an established tank and can use DT water. But would go minimum on live rock at first during copper for obvious reasons

No live rock would be best and cp would be a better treatment choice for a tank that would be eventually used as a dt

Mariette · May 22, 2019

ScottR said:
How can you treat a puffer with ich? Supposedly copper is bad for them.

I don’t know. I’m still trying to figure everything out. I’ve got TONS of other meds incl CP

Mariette · May 22, 2019

Mjrenz said:
No live rock would be best and cp would be a better treatment choice for a tank that would be eventually used as a dt

I have CP

Mariette · May 22, 2019

sfin52 said:
Any bio media like rings and stuff like that. Sponge filter would also kick start the cycle

Yes.

Eagle_Steve · May 22, 2019

I keep several puffers and hyposalintiy is preferred for treatment. Knowing the type of puffer will help a lot, but puffers in a non established qt is a pain. They are very messy and create a lot of waste. Even little ones make a mess. A cycled hyposalinty QT is a must or you are just adding to the ich with ammonia burn, unless you can do a few water changes a day or use a ton of prime.

Mariette · May 22, 2019

I’m already giving my husband the puppy dog eyes ...

Mjrenz · May 22, 2019

Mariette said:
I have CP

If you do it make sure you have plenty of biospira on hand also.

Mjrenz · May 22, 2019

ScottR said:
How can you treat a puffer with ich? Supposedly copper is bad for them.

Chloroquine phosphate (cp) is safe for puffers and an effective treatment for ich, velvet, brook, and uronema. And yes, copper can be dangerous to use on them

Eagle_Steve · May 22, 2019

Mariette said:
I have CP

If you have CP, that will work also. TTM is also good option used on smaller puffers. It only treats ich, but combined with hypo helps deal with the ammonia and waste.