puffer with oval spots on fins and tail

[birdy]

I have a valentini puffer I got last week from SWF. I had a QT tank ready for it, but the day my shipment came in I noticed black flakes in the tank, my washer and dryer are fairly close to the QT tanks and I was afraid something had gotten into the tank so I went ahead and put it in my 30gal FOWLR, there are two small false percs in it and a few snails and crabs and one brittle star. Tank Parameters are: Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 0, pH 8.3. All seemed well for the first few days I noticed a couple of oval spots 3 days ago. They are only on the tail and fins, they are raised and all are the same size and shape. They are getting worse. The fish seems okay, it is eating well and not scratching. Is is a parasite or bacteria? How should I treat it, My QT tank is refilled and cycling.

 

[birdy]

No they are much larger than grains of salt,they are almost like small grains of rice, they are almost clear. I know I should have quarantined it but I was afraid their was something toxic in the tank.

 

[birdy]

Well I think anthem was right, He just developed the tiny white spots today along with the larger fuzzy looking spots, I would like to treat with hypo, but I haven't been able to get a refractometer yet (Taxes wiped me out this month!). Is copper safe with puffers or are the glass hydrometers accurate enough to do hypo?

 

[razi burney]

I am new to this hobby but my puffer is having the same symptoms. It was ok till yesterday and now I see small salt like spots all over it. Its much bigger at the fins and fin ends are getting red. Is there anything I can do ? What is hypo ?
Here is my tank setup:
55 Gal, 1 lion, 1 grouper, 1 puffer, 1 eal, 2 starfish, 55 lb lr.
I realize that this is probably one of the worst setups you can have but I have no idea about this stuff. I just started 1 month ago.
One pet store gave me a small doze brown liquid that smells terrible. Told me that it cures bacteria and is very expensive. I did not use it yet as I don't know if I should. I have changed about 8-10% of water today to see if this makes it any better.
I am also seeing this salt like spots on the grouper that I have but it is not that bad like puffer.
Please help before it gets late.
Razi_Burney@bankone.com
Razi.Burney@comcast.net

 

[ladyhart]

I agree with Anthem ... go with hypo!! I have talked to several people that have said that Puffers DO NOT handle copper well at all!! Good luck!!!