Sick Porcupine Puffer- Please Help

[bbaltz3045]

We have had our porcupine puffer for over 6 months, and has been extremely active, happy, and a good eater. All of the sudden two days ago, he started not looking well. The main symptom at this time is loss of appetite and lethargic swimming. We have not changed his diet, as he typically eats brine shrimp, rosy reds, or goldfish. We are concerned that it may be fatty liver disease, and have not found any known treatment so far. There are also some small white spots on his tail, which could indicate marine ich. We have been treating the water, but any other advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, any tips on what to feed him while he is not feeling up to par.
Thanks so much,
Concerned Porcupine Puffer Owner

 

[jupoc911]

What are you treating the water with? Puffers are very sensitive to medication. You also should not be feeding the puffer live foods and brine shrimp has little nutritional value to a fish like a puffer.

 

[beth]

bbaltz, the foods that you are feeding your puffer will not meet its nutritional needs. Goldfish have no nutritional value for a pufferfish. Pufferfish also need a steady diet of hard shelled seafood to keep their large teeth filed down. The food you offer do not meet that need either. It is not unusual for pufferfish to fail on this type of diet and frequently do not have a road back to healthiness.
What are your water readings? What are you treating the fish with? Can you post a good digital picture of your pufferfish, including the fin with spot?

 

[bbaltz3045]

Thank you for your feedback. The puffer will not eat any frozen fish, including silversides, even prior to being sick.There are also hermit crabs in the tank that he will not touch either. Water readings are optimal as there are several other fish in the tank that are doing well.
I am currently treating the water with API General Cure Powder Treatment, which is for gill and flute disease, and other parasitic diseases. Beth the spot on the tail has diminished, but he is still lethargic, not eating, and appears to be swollen. The treatment calls for only 2 doses 48 hours apart, so by Saturday I should know if the treatment is working at all. He is still not eating though, and I am not sure what to try...but need something live as he has not entertained anything else in the past.
Thanks again.

 

[beth]

You can't post a picture?
Regardless if he won't eat other things, if he recovers, you need to go to a strictly seafood diet. Feeding this fish raw shrimp with the skins intact would qualify for giving the puffer what he needs to file his teeth. Snails would as well. Do his teeth seem over long?
Post all of your water readings.
I assume because you are using medications in the tank, that you don't have a quarantine? If you had one, I would recommend moving the puffer to the quarantine and begin antibiotics. Without a quarantine, not much can be done.
What is the size of the tank?