Jump and Puff!

ups.0fficial · Mar 24, 2021

I was carrying on with my normal day, about to leave for school when my dogface puffer, MilkBone, jumped out of his tank! I don't know how long he was on the floor for but he was struggling and you could hear him taking in air. I quickly put him back in the tank and helped him release the air he puffed up with. He's a little darker in color but he can swim, right now he's resting on the bottom of the tank. I put a lid I had on it so he shouldn't jump again. I had to switch to doing online school today so I can monitor him, but I can't do a water change currently. It looks like his eyes are a little cloudy and his slime coat is coming off. I've just looked and he's out and swimming well. I put in a piece of food grade shrimp but he doesn't seem to be interested in it. I'm letting him rest for now before I act on anything. Should I dose any medicine? If so, what should I dose? I've heard of medicine that helps replenish the slime coat in stressful situations but I'm not sure I have it on hand at the moment. Here are some pictures of everything, keep in mind this is the first time I've had a fish jump and puff up, so I had no idea what to do while taking the pictures.

ReefHog · Mar 24, 2021

I wouldn't treat with anything at this point. I doubt he jumped because he was sick. Same goes for the water change unless you were planning on one anyway or the tank parameters are off. The "dirty" slime coat should shed in time. I'm sure it was stressful so he might not eat for a day or two. He actually looks pretty good to me considering he was puffed up on the floor when you found him.

JumboShrimp · Mar 24, 2021

I agree. Taking in air must have been an unpleasant shock to his system, but I think having him safely back in his familiar tank is the best and only thing you can really “do.” Please keep us updated! We are pulling for him.

ups.0fficial · Mar 24, 2021

ReefHog said:
I wouldn't treat with anything at this point. I doubt he jumped because he was sick. Same goes for the water change unless you were planning on one anyway or the tank parameters are off. The "dirty" slime coat should shed in time. I'm sure it was stressful so he might not eat for a day or two. He actually looks pretty good to me considering he was puffed up on the floor when you found him.

That's good! I'm glad he's looking well! The parameters are a little too high for my liking so I'm going to continue with the water change as I definitely needed to do one anyways. Thank you for the input!!

ups.0fficial · Mar 24, 2021

JumboShrimp said:
I agree. Taking in air must have been an unpleasant shock to his system, but I think having him safely back in his familiar tank is the best and only thing you can really “do.” Please keep us updated! We are pulling for him.

When I got him I was super worried that he'd take in air and would pass but now that it's happened I'm glad that it wasn't as bad as I imagined and that I know what to do if it happens again! I'll definitely update after I do a water change and see if he has an appetite!

ups.0fficial · Mar 26, 2021

Good news! He’s doing super well and he shed the slime coat! He’s swimming around normally and harassing me for food like always! I haven’t gotten around to doing a water change yet but we’re getting new water for the tank soon since we just got an RO! He’s looking so much better too!