cerianthus

Although I dont like to jump the gun, we can not just say goodbye without any action.
Are you willing to take the chance? I am assuming pH, NH3, NO2 are all OK!
I am geared more toward parasitic infection (oodinium/ICH/other gill parasite) on gills since no other visible symptoms. It could be internal problems (be it bacterial/parasitic) which unfortunately we can not do much at this point.
Do you have any empty plastic carbon jar and air pump and tubing?

pinkfloydpuffer

Carbon jar? I'm not sure what that is. But I have plenty of air pumps around.

cerianthus

Its been so long since I have handle Figure 8 and I am b/n rock and hard Place.

Two options if willing to take the chance.
1.Prepare bucket of water (dechlorinator of course, just one kind) bit warmer than tank water and aerated well for little while(30 min or so) but same pH as tank water.. Put F with water from tank in another bucket (1/5 of bucket height ). Place new water on chair but bucket with fish on the floor. Run Air line tubing from one to the other. Prime (suck on tubing) and Tie the knot on one end (bottom end) to control the flow of water. Continuous Droplets. Add gentle aeration.
what I am trying to achieve with this method is to dilute the water. As I recollect, F8 is actually true fresh water specimen but adapted or thrived (?) in brackish (less chance of having infection in brackish than F/W in captivity?). But that does not mean its better for fish physiologically in long run. I dont know how long you kept in brackish. If kept for while under brackish condition, SCRATCH this idea since diluting wont do much at this point.

2. W/ assumption F may have gill infection: Prepare new S/W at 1.020 with same pH as tank water. Place F in half bucket of tank water. The rest procedure is the same but less amt of water when dripping. Add gentle aeration for mixing. Remove some water when bucket is close to rim.
if were my fish, would gradually raise to 1.016 but you can go low as 1.012 as most f/w parasite wont survive.

Well, these are the two options I put together and I did my best with given facts.
My options are not any better (speculative at this point) than the leaving it as is but FINAL decision is yours.

I truly wish you and F ....Good Luck!

pinkfloydpuffer

Thanks Cerianthus. I think that I should probably do the SW dip. Gill infections seem more likely as her gills are bright red and seem inflamed.
She is obviously not getting any better staying where she is, so next step is to try something.
I'll let you all know how it goes.

Lucy

PFP, have you checked with the fish store about the salinity of the tank Fletcher came from?
Maybe it was F/W and moving him was too much salt too soon even if what she's in now should be ideal for her?
Just a guess.

pinkfloydpuffer

It was FW, but I acclimated her really slowly.

Lucy

Oh gosh, PFP, just took a good look at her pic.
I'm sorry she's looking so poorly.

cerianthus

Question is how long has she been in brackish as short tem exposure may render such inflammed/red gills. How long?
And 2nd method came about from S/w puffers shown similar behaviors as to curling up body, not just when sleeing (normal behavior when sleeping with certain puffers) but thruout daytime when has parasitic infection.


Best of luck!

pinkfloydpuffer

Thanks Lucy....

Oh, I forgot to mention that I've been comparing things from her to Garth and Stachi. They actually got plopped right in without very much acclimation at all, and looked tons better when they were in the new tank. So, I was thinking that maybe the slower acclimation would have been even better for her. I dunno though. But really, at this point I don't think that a little salinity change would have made her go downhill so fast in such a short period of time. She really looks bad, and just 2 days ago she was perfectly fine.

pinkfloydpuffer

I just looked it up. I got her on Feb. 25th.

Amanda

Oh, I'm sorry to hear she isn't doing well.

pinkfloydpuffer

Thanks Amanda....


You know, I think her eyes are getting a bit cloudy.

cerianthus

2 weeks? How about trying 1sr method. Make sure pH is the same as tank water for either methods. no need for extra burden!

Emory

Oh Pink, she looks pitiful! I feel awful for her.

Didn't you mention throwing some prime in before you left for work? Was there ammonia in her tank?

I'm sending well wishes and healthy vibes her way!

*hugs to you*

pinkfloydpuffer

No ammonia, I just did it to make myself feel better in case the test was wrong, lol.

Ok, we'll try the FW. It's less of a change on her, so it'd probably be less stressful.

Emory

Keep us posted.

cerianthus

Remember to keep bucket warm by having bucket sit in larger pan filled with some what warmer water or have heater in bucet. When dilution is done leave her in bucket with aeration.
Keeping my fingers crossed. Dont stay up all night and keep the light dim so less active.

articwolf

I'm pulling for her, I hope this works.

Lori

pinkfloydpuffer

Thanks.
The heater is already in the first bucket

Lucy

Good luck PFP, we're all pulling for you both!

SWilkins

Good luck PFP and Fletcher. We are thinking of you. Get well sooooon.

pinkfloydpuffer

Oh, so once the water gets to the right SG I just leave her in there all night?

I've started it, airstone is in, and I put one of her plants in there so that she can rest on them if she wants.

Emory

I just re-read Cerianthus' post and could not find anything about the duration of treatment.

CHoffman

Ohhh..Pink. So sorry to hear Fletcher is doing so poorly. I'm really hoping Fletcher pulls out of this. Keep us updated and I'll be thinking about the both of you.

pinkfloydpuffer

Thanks Cesch....
I'm hoping she's still here when I wake up tomorrow

cerianthus

I hope you are doing one, first method only as you described. Whatever you choose, one method ONLY. One should never tempt two different method at the same time or w/i short period. Such changes will do more harm than good.

If chose 2nd method, should take long longtime to reach recommended level, drops at a time.

This feels like stay ing up all night when acclimating s/w fish after the long long transit.

pinkfloydpuffer

yeah

So I leave her in there all night? Or how long?

cerianthus

I want to keep at f/w, not brackish. Monitor fish see how she is doing without disturbing. just monitor to see any sign of discomfort. If diluting to F/W as in 1st method, probably less discomfort, if any. Please dont spook the fish eventhough you maybe worried.

So stick to first method no matter how desperate it may seem. It is difficult to sit back and wait. I know. I know too well but spooking (like accidentally kicking bucket) will do more harm when acclimating, especially when fish is relaxing/relaxed in dim light.

MaddieLynn

Any better?

Lucy

How's Fletcher today?