Puffer fish possible needing burped?

[swanedog]

Gotcha, yeah this is a picture of him from May 30th. I thought that was just a part of his composition. He’s always been very active before the bacterial bloom except for the occasional resting. Hopefully he will get back to that lively personality.

Interesting - he’s had that swelling for a long time. I wonder - could it be a tumor and not air at all?

May be a dumb question, but we love this fish, any knowledge of a vet or something that work on them professionally?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

May be a dumb question, but we love this fish, any knowledge of a vet or something that work on them professionally?

Sorry - there are very few aquatic vets, and you’d need a local one. You could check with the TN aquarium perhaps.

I’ve worked with a number of aquatic vets, I’d guess that none would be able to help you with this, except to biopsy the lump to see if it’s gas, fluid, a tumor or an abscess. But then, doing something to resolve the issue is another story.

 

[nberger]

You cant really force a puffer to dislodge air and it has to do it on its own. Stress is usually the cause of inflation and the spin test , a product of API is often false or unreliable. Take a water sample to an LFS that does not use anything API and see what results they come up with or acquire Hanna or Saifert brand kits for more reliability

Good advise

 

[AydenLincoln]

OMG! I literally have the exact same thing going on with my Hewbie after a great few years with him. I feel cursed right now.