Valentini puffer mouth issue

andyg1960 · Aug 17, 2018

Good morning all. I have a concern about my Valentini puffer. I know they have a beak-like mouth structure that benefits from natural filing on shells, snails, etc. I feed fresh clam on the half shell a few times a week. He loves it. Also plenty of snails that he picks at. Last couple of days he has what seems to be some tissue loose above his mouth. He is acting fine, eating fine. Hard to get good photos but I tried. Never seen anyone pick on him, ever. What do you all think is going on?

Big G · Aug 17, 2018

Could be a bit of minor scrape type damage from its foraging. Or it could also be something like lympho. Keep an eye for reddening or white-ish areas of the surrounding skin. If you see that developing, a broad spectrum antibiotic like kanaplex, sulfaplex would be a good idea.

andyg1960 · Aug 17, 2018

Thanks, Gary. I will keep a close watch on it.

Halal Hotdog · Aug 17, 2018

Has your puffer been hanging around the wrong crowd? Clowns look innocent but can be a very bad influence. Look like the puffer caught herpes. Might be time to have the 'talk'.

In all seriousness watch out for lympo.