Hi everyone.

Im having a bit of a problem with my tropical tank. Ive had it up and running for about a month now.

Ammona: 0ppm
Nitrites: 0ppm
Nitrates: 10ppm

This morning, after I left for my WS class, my fiance noticed one of the tetras had some white spots on him. So he took him out of the tank, so when I got home, i could get a better eye on him. Well, he stuck him in a bucket and then stuck the bucket in the bathroom. Well, a couple hours later, he found the fish on the ground, across the bathroom, all dried up. So, he told me right away when i got home about the fish, and I noticed both my puffers have about three or four spots on them right now, most of the tetras have a few white spots also. Also, they have some split fins, that I didnt notice last night when I was feeding them dinner. I added 1/2 tbs about an hour ago, and was going to add another 1/2 tbs here in a minute, but I wasnt sure how much I should add to a 10 gallon tank? It says 1 tbs per 5 gallons, but what percent would that be?? Im pretty sure its early signs of ick. I also have copper safe, and maracy two (which is for finrot, popeye, etc) and some ick clear. Im not sure what i should use, but I have started with the salt. What should I do? Im still pretty new to tropicals, ive had goldies for years now, but not tropicals. Any advice would be awsome!

no one??

I have never kept puffers, so I did a search and found this info on a puffer website for treating puffers with ich. I hope this helps and please feel free to ask questions. Please keep us posted on your progress.

TREATMENTS

Before starting treatment you should do at least a 50% water change and vacuuming of your tank. I also suggest doing 50% water changes every other day of treatment, to reduce the number of parasites in the water.

I do not like to use meds w/my puffers, except in a heavy infestation. All natural Melafix is helpful to treat any damage done to the puffer's skin from the parasite. If you run into any severe secendary bacterial problems, Pimafix will help.


One tablespoon of salt per 5 gals. of aquarium water (for FW puffers) gradually raising the temperature to 86 degrees F. Continue with this for a period of 21 days, adding back 1 tablespoon of salt for every 5 gals of aquarium water that you remove during water changes. One thing to remember with high temperatures is that you should run an additional air stone to oxygenate the water. There is less dissolved oxygen available in warm water than there is in water at cooler temperatures.

Glad that you found some info for Jessica.I have never had Puffer's myself,so I just wasn't sure,especially with them being fresh-water.I googled for a while,and didn't find much about treating with salt,so i didn't want to post without knowing for sure. Puffer's are always one of those fish that I see and say,"One of these days.I'm going to try them" I think I need to work at our Local Zoo's aquarium...Maybe I could get rid of half of these urges! You'll have to post pics--They're so cute!

I have always been tempted by puffers, too. They are so darn cute , but I haven't taken the plunge yet, either.

Yeah, I love my puffers so much. Their soooooo cute!

Well, yesturday I did a 50% water change, and took out all of the plastic plants, that way I could get a better look at them. They love the plants to hide in, so their out for right now. After the water change, I added 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons. As of this morning, no more ick spots, and the tetras fins are already looking a bit better. One of the puffers spot have all gone away, and the other only has two left. Im hoping this will work. So far, so good! Thanks for looking all of that up for me touchofsky. Thats awsome!!

And I recommend to anyone who wans a FW puffer, to get one! Their soo much fun, and they have such great personalities. Tropicals dont really have much personality to me, but between puffers and goldies, they really have different personalities compared to any other fish ive had!

I am glad to hear that things are looking better and please keep us posted on your progress

Well last night my biggest puffer just laid on the bottom of the tank for awhile. I was alittle worried about him, but this morning, hes swimming around with the other puffer, and seems to be doing better. One of the puffers doesnt have any spots on him, but the other has a few. The tetras fins are healing up nicely, which suprises me that they started to heal up just with a water change and some salt, and there are a few white spots on 1 of the tetras, but none of them are scratching or anyhting. Im keeping my fingers crossed!