What is this on my Saddleback Puffer?

[Dom]

I just picked up a pair of Saddleback puffers.

Currently, they are in bags to acclimate for temp. Also dripping to acclimate salinity.

I noticed this on one of the puffers. Can you identify what this is?

@vetteguy53081
@Jay Hemdal

 

[vetteguy53081]

I just picked up a pair of Saddleback puffers.

Currently, they are in bags to acclimate for temp. Also dripping to acclimate salinity.

I noticed this on one of the puffers. Can you identify what this is?

@vetteguy53081
@Jay Hemdal

There are fits on glass making it difficult to determine
Please take pics with glass clear and brighter lighting

 

[Dom]

There are fits on glass making it difficult to determine
Please take pics with glass clear and brighter lighting

Ok... I'll take another photo, once they are out of the bag.

But the lighting is as good as it will get. It was set to full whites when I took the photo.

 

[Uncle99]

I just picked up a pair of Saddleback puffers.

Currently, they are in bags to acclimate for temp. Also dripping to acclimate salinity.

I noticed this on one of the puffers. Can you identify what this is?

@vetteguy53081
@Jay Hemdal

The reddish area looks like a recent bite mark.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I just picked up a pair of Saddleback puffers.

Currently, they are in bags to acclimate for temp. Also dripping to acclimate salinity.

I noticed this on one of the puffers. Can you identify what this is?

@vetteguy53081
@Jay Hemdal

Dont believe this is the rectal area and may be a sore or result from an injury. Not representative of a bite mark.
What other fish are in with it?

 

[Dom]

Dont believe this is the rectal area and may be a sore or result from an injury. Not representative of a bite mark.
What other fish are in with it?

Yes, I was thinking it may be an injury of some kind. But it also looks as though it may be some sort of growth.

It doesn't seem to be impacting him in any way at the moment.

Currently, he is in QT with another Saddleback just like the one in the photo. I can't speak to what other fish were in the tank that they came from.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Yes, I was thinking it may be an injury of some kind. But it also looks as though it may be some sort of growth.

It doesn't seem to be impacting him in any way at the moment.

Currently, he is in QT with another Saddleback just like the one in the photo. I can't speak to what other fish were in the tank that they came from.

Canthigaster puffers are generally not tolerant of each other. They should be kept one per tank. This sure looks like a bite mark to me.....

Jay

 

[Dom]

Canthigaster puffers are generally not tolerant of each other. They should be kept one per tank. This sure looks like a bite mark to me.....

Jay

I wish I knew this. But I am hoping that they will peacefully coexist in a 125 gallon tank.

 

[Dom]

It's gone!

I don't know what it was. I don't know where it went. But it is gone.

I checked the bags and the net (he got caught up a bit when being released into QT). I couldn't find it.

It would have been nice to find whatever it was.

 

[Dom]

Canthigaster puffers are generally not tolerant of each other. They should be kept one per tank. This sure looks like a bite mark to me.....

Jay

@Jay Hemdal

Wow... you weren't kidding. Today was the first feeding in QT for these two little guys. Serious open aggression! I've separated them.

I sure hope these guys are able to get along in a 125.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

@Jay Hemdal

Wow... you weren't kidding. Today was the first feeding in QT for these two little guys. Serious open aggression! I've separated them.

I sure hope these guys are able to get along in a 125.

Funny thing is - ever since my wholesale days back in the 1970's, I always kept them in cubicles or floating baskets. Somebody taught me that, so I don't have firsthand experience with them actually fighting. Tough to say how they will do in the 125....

Jay

 

[Dom]

Funny thing is - ever since my wholesale days back in the 1970's, I always kept them in cubicles or floating baskets. Somebody taught me that, so I don't have firsthand experience with them actually fighting. Tough to say how they will do in the 125....

Jay

Floating baskets... that gives me an idea... I may want to use these when they are ready for the 125. Perhaps letting them float around the tank for some weeks before releasing them will reduce aggression by tank mates.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Floating baskets... that gives me an idea... I may want to use these when they are ready for the 125. Perhaps letting them float around the tank for some weeks before releasing them will reduce aggression by tank mates.

Yes - people do that. Just be sure the baskets are secure and the fish can't jump out of them. Also, there is some thought that if you let the weaker fish out into the tank first, it can set up its territory first, and may be able to balance the aggression from the other fish.

These fish swims in harems in the wild, so in at least some ratio of the sexes, they can live together.

Jay

 

[Dom]

Yes - people do that. Just be sure the baskets are secure and the fish can't jump out of them. Also, there is some thought that if you let the weaker fish out into the tank first, it can set up its territory first, and may be able to balance the aggression from the other fish.

These fish swims in harems in the wild, so in at least some ratio of the sexes, they can live together.

Jay

Well... my idea was to construct two baskets with styrofoam collars and allow them to float around the tank.

Securing them in the tank would be better?