Puffer in distress! Please HELP

[davidcanupp]

I have a Blue Spot Puffer. He has a tendancy to get things stuck in his teeth. A little while ago i realized that he has something HUGE stuck in there. Looks like a piece of a button polyp (Yes, he is in a 30galon reef tank) As this has happened before, I attempted to dislodge it while holding him near the surface of the tank. He puffed up ( He NEVER puffs) and took in some air. I think that he was able to blow out most of the air but I am not sure. This piece of polyp is still there. He is laying on top of the powerhead looking really stressed. I know that maybe I shouldn't have tried to help him but last time a piece was stuck for a week before I finally dislodged it for him. What should I do??? Any help would be great. Thanks- David

 

[davidcanupp]

Thanks Terry, I will give it a day or so. I am still worried though because he is laying on the bottom and breathing kinda hard. Is there anything else that I can do about his rapid breathing or should I just let him be? Thanks a lot for the quick reply!

 

[pufferlover]

I have seen some puffers (not mine but at the lfs) that have ingested air out of water and it has taken a couple days to expel it. One had his side looking like it had a huge bump and upon asking the lfs guy what happened he said it puffed while he was moving it. Couple days later I saw it again and it was fine. In rare cases tho they can not get the air out and that can pose a problem. Terry is right (as usual) that a Puff should never be handled near the surface.

 

[davidcanupp]

Thanks everyone! He seems to have gotten over the immediate problem (He has expelled the air) but the piece of something is still stuck in his mouth, I will give him a day or so and see. I may be asking you guys some questions again in a few days about dislodging the thing. Thanks a lot for now!!!! -David