HELP! Porc puffer is swollen/spines thru his skin!

[pufferbob]

My 4 year old Porcupine Puffer "BOB" is looking bad--he has a number of spines (normally covered by his skin) that are actually sticking out of his skin (they are transluscent) and the areas around them are really swollen, and the swelling is delineated by a white line around it. It's really wierd--it almost looks like a physical injury. He's not eating and is hiding is small dark spaces. WHAT IS IT AND WHAT DO I DO?? HE'S MY FAVORITE FISH!!!

 

[chrgerondavins]

sounds like he puffed up out of the water. This is how mine died, and he showed these same signs a day before he died.

 

[beth]

Yes, it sounds like he puffed, and hasn't deflated. When did this start? What are your water readings? What other fish are in the tank, and what is the size of the tank?