White Spot on Figure 8 Puffer

[Stephaniea]

Smiley, our Figure 8 Puffer has a white spot on his side. I am not sure what it is and am having a hard time finding any info on it. The spot Island level with his flesh, not raised or indented).

He is acting normal, eats fine, freaks out every time I do a water change. Has been extra salty when I look at his tank because he thinks I will do a water change.

No tank mates. Did a water change last weekend. He is in brackish water. 10 gallon aquarium. No nitrates or nitrites.

Not sure of gender… we just call him a him

 

[vetteguy53081]

Smiley, our Figure 8 Puffer has a white spot on his side. I am not sure what it is and am having a hard time finding any info on it. The spot Island level with his flesh, not raised or indented).

He is acting normal, eats fine, freaks out every time I do a water change. Has been extra salty when I look at his tank because he thinks I will do a water change.

No tank mates. Did a water change last weekend. He is in brackish water. 10 gallon aquarium. No nitrates or nitrites.

Not sure of gender… we just call him a him

Cant tell if its a bug or infection. Can you get a closer pic?

 

[Julbra]

Did it appear suddenly or has been slowly growing? How long has he had the patch and is it changing? This might help differentiate between injury and infection/parasites. Clearer pictures required.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Is it fuzzy or anything?
What are the params?
One thing is that puffers do better with sand so as to not scratch their delicate skin - looks like a gravel/rock bottom.

 

[Stephaniea]

Is it fuzzy or anything?
What are the params?
One thing is that puffers do better with sand so as to not scratch their delicate skin - looks like a gravel/rock bottom.

It’s caribsea eco complete with aragonite. And three rock pieces we position to hide under.

 

[Stephaniea]

It’s caribsea eco complete with aragonite. And three rock pieces we position to hide under.

Do you think I should change to sand?

 

[Stephaniea]

Is it fuzzy or anything?
What are the params?
One thing is that puffers do better with sand so as to not scratch their delicate skin - looks like a gravel/rock bottom.

It does not look fuzzy. We are battling with red algae at the moment.

 

[Stephaniea]

Did it appear suddenly or has been slowly growing? How long has he had the patch and is it changing? This might help differentiate between injury and infection/parasites. Clearer pictures required.

It appeared suddenly; it doesn’t look like it has changed.

I am trying to get a clear picture, however, he is freaking out. So I need my daughter to try.

I will post once we get one.

 

[Sharkbait19]

I have kept puffers without sand no problems - just something to consider.

 

[Julbra]

It appeared suddenly; it doesn’t look like it has changed.

I am trying to get a clear picture, however, he is freaking out. So I need my daughter to try.

I will post once we get one.

Hard to be definite without a closer look but my guess would be skin abrasion caused by injury. Maybe he scraped against a rock. If that’s the case just keep an eye for secondary bacterial infection but it should heal on its own as long as the water is kept clean and he is well fed. However if the spot grows or other spots appear it’s something else.

What salinity do you keep him in? Figure 8 typically fare better in the lower numbers between 7-10ppt (1.005-1.008).

Do try and get that better photo.

 

[Stephaniea]

We keep him in 1.008. It is hard to get a better picture.

I’ll post the other pictures we have gotten.

 

[Stephaniea]

Here are two of the best pictures I could get. He is not being very cooperative right now.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Have you ever noticed it laying against the heater? Looks like it could be a burn from that. Definitely looks more on the injury side than the disease side.
Still eating fine?