Porc puffer stung by Foxface. Please help

[leftyblite]

I think my Porc puffer got stung by my Foxface yesterday. I was feeding them on opposite sides of the tank when while chasing food, they crossed paths. All of a sudden the puffer jumped above the water swam around in circles for a minute and then went to his cave without eating. I checked the foxface for broken fins but couldn't see any. Today the puffer is just laying on the bottom and his eyes are slightly cloudy. He is refusing to eat. Is there anything I can do??? :help:

 

[leftyblite]

Anyone????? :help:

 

[dustbunny]

To the best of my knowledge, fish don't die when they've been stung by Foxfaces, they just experience a MASSIVE amount of pain. Hopefully after a while your porc should be up and running again. The foxface is about as venomous as a common wasp, and depending on the size and age of your puffer, he should be ok after a while. Best thing you could do is attempt to use a feeding straw or something to coax the puffer into eating. The real concern in your situation is the wound becoming infected and the puffer getting something from that. Check the fish for abrasions or small cuts. If it's got one the best measure would be to quarantine the fish and treat it, especially if the wound looks red or is ulcerated. However, I've never really seen foxfaces sting other fish, usually the threat of a foxface's venom is enough to keep other fish away...so I'm using the best info that I've got to offer .

 

[leftyblite]

Thanks Dustbunny. Today the puffer was acting more like himself. He was swimming and begging for food. I fed him and he ate like crazy. He was also staying way away from the foxface. :thinking: :happyfish

 

[johnbob]

Originally Posted by leftyblite
Thanks Dustbunny. Today the puffer was acting more like himself. He was swimming and begging for food. I fed him and he ate like crazy. He was also staying way away from the foxface. :thinking: :happyfish
Lol Smart puffer. I had one that got sucked in by a powerhead an went right back to it the next day and got sucked up again. Hope your puffer is ok.

 

[lion_crazz]

I am glad your puffer recovered well. What kind of puffer is it?

 

[dustbunny]

Good to hear, bro. Hope the puffer does allright. Sounds like you got a cool tank going on, wish I could fit a puffer and a foxface in my tank but with 12 gallons of reef, I'd definately see a fight to the death. Good luck!

 

[leftyblite]

Its a porc puffer in the tank along with the foxface and a clown. They all get along great. :thinking:

 

[aw2x3]

I wish I could've been so lucky.

I had a 10" Porc that was stung by a refugee Foxface that I had taken in.
Within 2 days, the Porc was dead, after experiancing massive swelling to the wound, the flesh turned necrotic and started to rot away, and the inability to swim properly.