White Blotch on Porcupine Pufferfish

[Caitlin0418]

Hey everyone! I noticed this giant white spot on my puffers face today and have no clue what it is or where it came from. Please help!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

How long have you had it?
What tankmates are in with it?
Any other symptoms like not eating?
Jay

 

[Caitlin0418]

How long have you had it?
What tankmates are in with it?
Any other symptoms like not eating?
Jay

I have had him for 2 months. He is in a 125 gallon with a lion fish, a trigger fish, and 2 tangs. He doesn’t have any other symptoms. He has been acting the same as always. Very energetic, and eats a lot.
Thanks for your help Jay!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Would not surprise me if injury from pursing a piece of food or Sting from lion ?

 

[Sharkbait19]

Would not surprise me if injury from pursing a piece of food or Sting from lion ?

Any chance it could be from rubbing on the glass? I know puffers do tend to glass surf which can lead to injuries. Or would that be more localized around the mouth/beak.

 

[Caitlin0418]

Would not surprise me if injury from pursing a piece of food or Sting from lion ?

I always hand feed him so I don’t think it is that. But you’re right it could have been the lion, I didn’t even think of that! Is that what a sting would look like? I googled it and it said it would be like a puncture wound so I am not sure. I have never seen any hostility between them tho. I feed them at opposite sides of the tank and they never really go to the other ones side.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I always hand feed him so I don’t think it is that. But you’re right it could have been the lion, I didn’t even think of that! Is that what a sting would look like? I googled it and it said it would be like a puncture wound so I am not sure. I have never seen any hostility between them tho. I feed them at opposite sides of the tank and they never really go to the other ones side.

Can never be too careful around a lion especially volitan.
Sting generally a circle like dot but the reaction can flare up

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I always hand feed him so I don’t think it is that. But you’re right it could have been the lion, I didn’t even think of that! Is that what a sting would look like? I googled it and it said it would be like a puncture wound so I am not sure. I have never seen any hostility between them tho. I feed them at opposite sides of the tank and they never really go to the other ones side.

Lionfish wounds are punctures, but they can develop more systemic reactions that grow larger than the original sting.
If it was a rub mark from glass surfing (common with these) I would have expected it to grow gradually over time.
It could be a bacterial infection, but without some additional symptoms, I would treat it yet.
Jay

 

[scottbeanerfish]

I have had him for 2 months. He is in a 125 gallon with a lion fish, a trigger fish, and 2 tangs. He doesn’t have any other symptoms. He has been acting the same as always. Very energetic, and eats a lot.
Thanks for your help Jay!

Had 2 different porcupines and both have gotten them on top of their bodies , my recent one had a large spot on top and now almost gone .. possibly stress or changes in alkalinity or salinity? also have learned to keep changing his diet, my first got lockjaw from eating just krill, started hand feeding him Rod’s and dosing with iodine and after a couple weeks he was fine.