rescued porc

[coconuttelegraph01]

I was visiting an lfs today, and overheard employees trying to decide what to do with a porcupine puffer who came in with ick. Instead of setting up an independant tank and attempting to treat it, (the available tanks they have share water with other tanks) they were going to put it in the freezer and possibly ship it back to the distributer. The ick infestation isn't too bad (a few spots on the tail and one pectoral fin)
To make a long story short, i made my first impulse purchase in about 4 years. They ended up giving me the fish, and selling me copper sulfate, and a copper test kit incase my garlic treatment doesn't work. I just put him into the 65g quarentine/hospital tank and will try feeding garlic soaked krill later tonite. I may be setting myself up for dissapointment, but who knows it might end up worth the effort. Hopefully i can keep the positive "worth the effort" attitude when and if i have to lay down the cash for a bigger set up

 

[hawkeye]

Regardless of what happens, that is a good job out of you.

 

[blueberryboomer]

You are a saint! Bless you! Lisa

 

[guppie]

You have done the right thing, I bet that the porky will end up being the best fish you have. They are pretty tough hope he pulls through. Good Luck

 

[set-man]

It sickens me to hear what the LFS was going to do to this poor fish THEY imported OUT of the ocean for CASH profit. We all need to realize that we are taking these poor creatures out of a beautiful environment and sticking them in our tanks for entertainment. We need to provide them with a proper environment and respect their needs. Okay enough with the mother teresa speech.
Porcupine puffers are tough fish!! I think it will pull through as long as it is eating. Anyways good luck and hopefully there are more people like you!!

 

[pufferlover]

One thing I have found about Porks is that soemtimes they show a few spots here and there and they never get worse nor do they ever go away. My 2 BIG Porks have had a few spots (the male especially) on its top fins and has had it for the last few years. They never get more nor do they get less. Have no idea what they are but I know it is not ick. The female also has a few here and there same thing no more no less. Now in the case of the Dogfaces when they get spots it usually is some problem parasitic thing and treatment will clean them up I prefer hypo as Dogs do not take copper well at all (they are smooth skinned). I have used copper with success on Porks over the years but you must make sure it is the right amount and that you do not prolong the treatment past the time the product suggests. I prefer a product called SeaCure (it has worked 99.9% of the time for me). If you are sure it is ick then try the garlic first but do not soak the food too much. I tried garlic one time on my Porks a year or so ago and did too much and they stopped eating for weeks on me. Everyone has their own success and loss stories but you seem headed in the right direction. I do agree it will become one of your favorites (that is a given with those big eyed pin cushions).