First Porcupine Puffer: Living On The Edge!!!

[inxsu2]

Happy Monday!!!
As a newbie, I originally posted this as a "New Hobbyist" thread. However, I need all the help I can get!!!
After a full cycle and perfect levels, on Saturday, I acquired Gandolf, my first little porcupine puffer. Absolutely GORGEOUS!!! However, it is so painful to watch this little creature go through the stress of a new environment, and not eat. He started out strong, did the requisite lethargic bottom-dwell, swam around last night, but has now retreated and looks like he is breathing heavily. From all I have read, this could be days, weeks or months. It's just a painful process to watch. I have a 125-gallon with only four other damsels and a medieval castle, so he can be the king of his kingdom. Just wanting to hear of other PP newbie experiences, as this is TRULY living on the edge watching this little creature and feeling helpless. It's only Day Three. If all is truly in order, what should I realistically be in store for?
Thanks in advance!
Patty (On The Edge!)

 

[theirr]

I've had several P Puffers. In one case he swam in a small circle facing the backside of the tank and did not eat for a month when first introduced into the tank. Then by a miricle of god he just stopped and started eating and swam around like everyone else. How did you acculmate him? That has a LOT to do with what happens afterwards. The floating bag trick sucks. Got to slowly add tank water to the shipping bag - for an hour. Hang in there, although heavy breathing is always a real bad sign - sorry!

 

[jon321]

if your puffer is unhappy you will find out soon witha bad case of ich, puffers seem to get it VERY easily, but it usually goes away on its own if the fish is in good care. if its not eating live feeders, in particular ghost shrimp or similar should help that out, but JUST to get a picky puffer eating again.
best of luck, they are amazing animals, but it will be the size of a football in a few years! haha
oh ya, dont be TOO worried about him, they are hardy little buggers, when my tank sprung a leak, i had my 8-10" porcupine in a 20g tank with only a fluval 403 and no sand or rock and he was fine for around 20 days!
Jon

 

[jer4916]

i also have a new porc puff...his name is sweetie...hes the CUTEST thing in the whole world...he is shy though..he likes to hide on top of my heater...mine does swim around abit..i think hes scared of the other fish...but my guy ate today...i just took salad shrimp...cut it into 4 little peices and he ate 3 of the 4 ...so maybe you might want to try it? ...idk...you get a nice dinner out of it too ..hehe
anyways good luck!
let me know whats going on...so i can make sure my guy isn't odd either....but my guys eyes didn't have the blue sparkle untill today...so i wonder if thats a good sign those are coming back....does yours?...
~chris

 

[inxsu2]

The good news is my puffer is swimming around again. The really, really bad news is the eyes are cloudy, tail wrapped around, looking kind of pale and ich-ish.

Won't eat frozen krill (with and without being soaked in garlic) or ghost shrimp. My domino damsels have been a bit aggressive, but I thought since puffy is also aggressive and bigger, that wouldn't be an issue. Plus, wouldn't he puff if he was really, really stressed?
Anyway, taking it hour by hour at this point!
Thanks so much Chris (hope you are having better luck with Sweetie!), Jon and Irr for your replies. This is really nerve-wracking!!!
Patty

 

[jer4916]

Patty, did you drip gandolf? ...or did you just just dump him in?
When i dripped Sweetie i spent 5 hours dripping him just to make sure i didn't overload him with my levels...i know it was longer then suggested...but i would rather be sure then not... you know?
~chris
can you take a picture of your puffer?

 

[inxsu2]

:joy:
One eye has cleared up.
Color is coming back.
He's swimming around!!!
Maybe he'll actually eat tonight.
Do a ceremonial dance, say a prayer and/or keep your fingers crossed!!!
:cheer:
P.S. I didn't drip, I did the less-preferred float method. That could have something to do with this dilemma. I'll try to take pics later. Thanks again!!!

 

[jer4916]

well i float my fish first to get them used to the water temp...then i drip them...next time you should do that...its very unhealthy to float them and then just drop them in...kills them alot of the times.
~chris

 

[tsx]

Another porc puffer story; my neighbor has a porc puffer in his 125 that didn't eat for a few weeks. He's now doing fine. Hope yours comes around too. Good Luck

 

[inxsu2]

I apologize for the excessive posting, but I am going crazy watching this little guy go up and down. He's down again, seemingly gasping for precious life, and I'm feeling awful about not properly acclimating the little guy. I think I need to hire a new fish guy. Thirty years in the business and he didn't tell me about the drip method? He told me to float it for 20, introduce my water into the bag, and float for another 20. I ended up doing 30 minutes of each and thought this would be sufficient. Now, I feel responsible for not properly educating myself. The fish store recomended the drip method, but with the price I'm paying my "expert", I thought I was doing the right thing. This is really, really tough to watch and deal with.
I just needed to vent and am grateful to have found a forum where a soul or two can relate. Thanks for listening.

 

[inxsu2]

Gandolf died last night. 'Tis truly a sad day indeed. I feel awful that I made him suffer. I'm hiring someone new so that I can get it right the next time. My $200 a month guy was nowhere to be found this past week. Thanks to everyone here who tried to help me. I'll never forget the little guy.

Patty

 

[jer4916]

sorry to hear about gandolf, make sure you check your levels...etc...also next time drip gandolf #2
~chris

 

[ross]

acclimation wasnt the reason he died, 1 hour of acclimation is fine. My guess is that either he was very stressed when you got him or your water wasnt good enough. Normally puffers are pretty tough. Let your tank run for a couple weeks, maybe add some live rock and try again. When you get him, dont feed him for the first day or two. Just leave the lights off, as much as you want to look at him. Make sure the next one is healthy and eating in the store. Also look on his eyes and fins for ich (little white spots). Good luck with the next one. Let us know how it goes.
Ross

 

[tthemadd1]

I never read anywhere whether the fish was ever out of water? I know that when they puff in air it can cause internal damage and kill them. You should make sure next time you buy anything from the store that YOU know how to transport/remove them from the tanks. I once watched a pet store owner pick up a linkia with his bare hands. I told him not to do that because the oil from your hands damages their delicate skin. It is really too bad that alot of people in the fish business dont know anything scientific about the hobby. They just buy the fish and resell them for bookoo bucks. Good luck with your future purchases and I would not hire someone to maintain my personal tank. You know your system better than anyone, dont be afraid of the hobby and take the time to aprreciate the amount of knowledge that is involved. Good luck in the future and good fishing
Themadd1