Because I have a lot of puffers, I routinely use freshwater dips as a first-line treatment for diseases or parasites. I use water directly from my household water filtration system just prior to the final RO and DI stages for the dips. I adjust temp and pH to exactly match the tank the fish is coming from. 5-minutes maximum time in the fw dip and right back into the tank. The only exception is if the fish is dying and the fw dip is a last-ditch effort before medication begins in QT.
Over the past year I too have become a big fan of the float/1-cup/1-cup water exchange acclimation. Ammonia levels on shipped fish rapidly rise as soon as the bag is opened and the fish becomes active. If you don't believe it, save that bag water next time and check it for Ammonia levels. You will be shocked, especially if it's a big messy fish like a puffer.
Moving puffers is tricky and keeping them submerged at all times is critical. Nets are not a good option and I think nothing good comes from using my hand. Some puffers are FAST to puff. So an incoming puffer gets floated, transferred to a bucket, and the 1-cup/1-cup acclimation. Next step is a bucket flush with destination tank water, drain off all but essential water in the bucket and finally submerge the bucket in the tank to allow the puffer to swim out on their own.
Over the past year I too have become a big fan of the float/1-cup/1-cup water exchange acclimation. Ammonia levels on shipped fish rapidly rise as soon as the bag is opened and the fish becomes active. If you don't believe it, save that bag water next time and check it for Ammonia levels. You will be shocked, especially if it's a big messy fish like a puffer.
Moving puffers is tricky and keeping them submerged at all times is critical. Nets are not a good option and I think nothing good comes from using my hand. Some puffers are FAST to puff. So an incoming puffer gets floated, transferred to a bucket, and the 1-cup/1-cup acclimation. Next step is a bucket flush with destination tank water, drain off all but essential water in the bucket and finally submerge the bucket in the tank to allow the puffer to swim out on their own.
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