Valentini Puffer, Is This Fin A Problem

[DeepBrew]

Yesterday evening we noticed our Valentini Puffer had a cloudy spot on his fin:




We've never seen this before, is it something to worry about?

The fin tissue is cloudy and there may be a tiny dot of something at the front edge. It's hard to tell. He's eating well and doesn't show any abnormal behavior like flashing.

He has been in the tank about 8 months. No new fish have been added for 6 months. All fish were added one at a time and went through TTM with Prazipro.

The tank gets weekly 10% water changes. Tank parameters before yesterday's water change are:
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
Phosphate - 0
Calcium - 440
Alkalinity - 8.5
Magnesium - 1500
pH - 8.2
Salinity - 35 ppt
Temperature - 77

The only recent change in the tank is a magnesium level. I try to keep it around 1400 but it had drifted down to 1350 last week so I added some BRS Mg solution.

Tanks in advance for any assistance you can give!

 

[helen ann]

Can't help sorry!

Just wanted to say ... Oh My Goodness, he is soooo cute!!

 

[melypr1985]

looks like a tiny bite has been taken out of that fin. The cloudiness could be a mild infection from that bite. Got any other fish in there that pesters the puffer?

 

[DeepBrew]

Thanks helen ann, he is a cutie!

Meredith, his tankmates are:

Starry Blenny
Tomini Tang
Melanurus Wrasse
Talbot's Damsel

Everyone is generally peaceful but they get energetic at times. The blenny and tag occasionally get a bit territorial but I've never seen them go after the puffer. I fed them a whole littleneck clam Friday night, that always sets off a frenzy. He could have gotten a fin nipped in the chaos.

 

[DeepBrew]

So is this something that will likely take care of itself or should I try to treat it?

If I need to treat it what is recommended?

Thanks!

 

[melypr1985]

So is this something that will likely take care of itself or should I try to treat it?

If I need to treat it what is recommended?

Thanks!

You can give it a few days and see what happens. Vitamin supplements such as Selcon or Vitachem would be helpful in the food. If it starts to get worse you'll want to consider treatment wtih antibiotics such as kanaplex or Furan 2. These should be done in a QT for the best results, but can be fed in the food coupled with focus as a binder. Feeding it is less effective and much slower though.

 

[DeepBrew]

You can give it a few days and see what happens. Vitamin supplements such as Selcon or Vitachem would be helpful in the food. If it starts to get worse you'll want to consider treatment with antibiotics such as kanaplex or Furan 2. These should be done in a QT for the best results, but can be fed in the food coupled with focus as a binder. Feeding it is less effective and much slower though.

Thanks, I'm going to order some vitamins and antibiotics just in case. I feed mostly frozen food and have been thinking about using a vitamin supplement anyway.

 

[DeepBrew]

The puffer's fin is much better now. I ordered some Selcon and Kanaplex but by the time the Kanaplex arrived his fin was doing much better so I haven't used it. I have been adding a bit of Selcon to the food this week though. Here's Tyler and his fin today, it looks nearly healed to me:

Thanks for your suggestions!

 

[melypr1985]

Looks great! It's always best when their own immune system can heal them up.

 

[BIg Whisky]

Here's to a speedy and full recovery!

On another note, I'd really like to add a Valentini to my tank. How does yours do with your inverts and softies? Any advice as to bringing one in?

 

[DeepBrew]

Here's to a speedy and full recovery!

On another note, I'd really like to add a Valentini to my tank. How does yours do with your inverts and softies? Any advice as to bringing one in?

They're all individuals and their behavior varies. Our Valentini leaves softies alone. He's never bothered zoas, mushrooms, xenia or kenya tree. He leaves most LPS alone but all acans we tried to add quickly became snacks. We haven't tried SPS yet. He leaves most snails alone but I've seen him go after nassarius snails. They know to stay out of sight during the day now. He hasn't bothered other types of snails. He seems to leave hermit crabs alone.

He's such an awesome fish we consider it minor that we can't put acans in the tank though. He very laid back and friendly. I often hand feed him frozen krill partly because he's the least aggressive fish in the tank when food is dumped in.