dead dog

[marco]

Got a dog faced puffer two days ago.When I put him the tank he freaked-out, swam like crazy , tyred jumping out like something was burning him. the he calmed down a bit and air bubbles were coming for his mouth. Today I noticed his face was all messed up on one side looked it was deformed and puffy like it was bured.His eye on that side was nearly swollen shut. He also had the same thing on his back near his tail.He did'nt eat and was breathing real heavy. Them he came to the surface and was trying to get out again so as I was bagging him up to take him to the store,he puffed up and sucked in air.He was floating upside down in the bag.Needles to say he died. My question is what happened to him?The people at the pet store had never seen a fish with that wierd skin conditon. <img src="graemlins//angel.gif" border="0" alt="[angel]" />

 

[fmarini]

Hi:
more info please. Can you describe your set up , how long this tank has ben established, new water changes, water paramters, tankmates, powerheads in the tank? etc.
Also anything else wse need to know.
Any ideas why the fish acted like it was being burned?
This skin problem is truely puzzling, I'm hoping you can provide something which will trigger an idea
frank

 

[beth]

Well, you do need to provide more info here, but off the top of my head, I'd ask how exactly did you acclimate this fish to your tank, and what did you do to get him from his transport bag from the LFS into your tank?
If at any time this fish was exposed to air, then this could result in significant problems, much like what you are describing. A puffer, when stressed, will tend to puff...even if you do not see a full blown puff, they can still be "puffing". Obviously, this fish was stressed by the transport home, etc. If you happened to remove him from his bag into the air [any air contact time] before he entered the tank, and he was puffing, then the fish intake was air not water. Thus the problem you experienced.
If what I describe here is not an issue, then I would say look for environmental factors in your tank. How big was this puffer and how big is your tank?

 

[fmarini]

Beth:
Besides the problem w/ bouancy and puffing (as you call it) any idea what would trigger the harsh reaction to the tank, and the resultant skin condition. I too also thought of the fish taking in air, and this would certainly describe the puffing of air bubbles out and the floating around, but the skin problem is puzzling
Just curious
frank

 

[beth]

Well, unless Marco wants to tell us what the water conditions are, tank size, age of tank, other fish in tank and how they were doing, it is really only guessing. What Marco describes as looking burned could have just been the skin swell from taking in air. Puffers can also release toxin into the tank when stressed [did you all know that the toxin from pufferfish is what the voodoo witchdoctors in Haiti use to make real zombies?? HA!].
I can only guess wo more info., but I'm guessing that the fish was released into the tank without the appropriate acclimation for this particular fish. The fish was exposed to air and when released into the water, he probably released some toxin and poisoned himself—and took in air [double whammy]. Marco doesn't mention other fish in the tank, and unless he wants to share more of this exp with us, then there is not too much else we can say about it.
What's your thoughts, Frank? Are you thinking of something else that I'm missing?
Perhaps the tank is in cycle and the fish was added to a high-ammonia tank?

 

[marco]

Sorry about taking so long to reply.I had one all typed up and I got bumped off-line.My nitrate is very high,(140).Everything ells is fine. I added some filter media to lower it and it's slowly getting lower. I have a trigger, three anemonies, coral beauty, damsel,two clowns. All the other fish are doing fine.I know this is alot for a 46 bowfront, and I know you will say there's way to many fish in there. Any -way, I just got another tank and waiting for it to be cycled so I can thin out the other one.I don't know what ells to say but live and learn.

 

[beth]

Yeah, but tell us about the puffer. WAs air intake an issue here or what?

 

[marco]

Well, I think so. He did suck air and was floating upsidedown.I'm not sure if the skin condition wascaused by the air intake when he went from the bag to the tank.The acclimation time was about 50 min. Do different fish need different acclimation time? All the other fish I have acclimated seem to be ok with 50 min. acclimation.

 

[beth]

The time that acclimated is not the problem, but the air intake is a big problem with this particular fish. Additionally, if stressed, the fish could have released the toxin I mentioned and poisoned himself.

 

[marco]

Thank you for the help Beth. I think I will stay away from that type of fish, or do alot more research on that type of fish, or any fish for that matter, befor I go out and just get one.
You would think the guy at the pet store would have told me about this potential hazard, but he might think I SHOULD know this.Any way thanx again and I will be more careful next time.