I have a 14 inch long Starry puffer fish that appears like he's making a "coughing" motion. I don't know any other way to describe it. He hasn't eaten in the last 3 days and he normally eats 5 cocktail shrimps everyday. I'm worried about him. Does anyone know what this might be?
Thanks, yeah he ate on and off and seemed to be swimming more. But recently he started having a hard time breathing. The other fish in the system are all fine so I'm guessing he maybe had a bacterial infection or parasite. Thankfully he's not suffering anymore. Thanks for the support
Did you have him long or was he a newer addition? 14" is big. Not sure on the tank size he was in and cant imagine he would get bullied or anything. Probably a bacterial issue. I agree with you. Always sad to hear nonetheless. Mine was about 7". I'm a collector of puffers myself. Golden Puffer, Porcupine, Striped Burrfish. I recently took my Starry out as he was too aggressive of an eater and would battle the Golden Puffer. Have him at a LFS. They are beautiful fish. Glad to hear the other fish are good at least. Take care.
I had him for about a year. The LFS I bought him from had him for about 2 years. He had a great personality (Usually grumpy, but that's why I love him). He had a 125 gallon tank with only 1 other Clown Trigger and next to no live rock. He was always so active. We even put a bench in front if his tank so that everyone could watch him. He will be missed.
ReefHog
Well-Known Member
Beautiful fish. So sorry. I know it’s no help now but with little live rock in the tank, do you have a sump with extra filtration media? Triggers are very hardy fish and can tolerate less than ideal conditions.
Yeah I have a 40 breeder for a sump and the center chamber is filled with live rock. I kept the rock work in the DT to a minimum so that he could have plenty if swimming and turning space.
fishguy242
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hi, sorry for your loss, and sorry this got missed . R.I.P. Gus.
fishguy242
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just for future ,hopefully you'll never need it again !!
but if no response in an emergency ,call on # reefsquad, and soon to be active #fishmedic .
but if no response in an emergency ,call on # reefsquad, and soon to be active #fishmedic .
So I woke up this morning and noticed the trigger doesn't look good now when yesterday he was perfectly fine. I have since put him in Quarantine that has Cupramine just in case.
I'm thinking maybe there's a parasite in the main tank, or is there by chance that when the puffer died it released a toxin in the system?
I'm thinking maybe there's a parasite in the main tank, or is there by chance that when the puffer died it released a toxin in the system?
A Young Reefer
Valuable Member
maybe @Jay Hemdal can help you
jmichaelh7
2500 Club Member
Sorry for your loss.
