Lethargic New Dwarf Puffer

[saratogaslim]

Hi all,
 
Hoping someone may have some ideas about what can be wrong with my little dwarf puffer.  I just brought him home on Monday.  He was a little stressy but definitely active on Monday.  Since then, he's become increasingly lethargic, not interested in food, etc.  He's eaten a little bit of frozen brine shrimp, but that's all since Monday.   There is a very small snail in there for him as well, but so far no interest.   He is alone in a 5 gallon, well planted (live) and decorated tank.  Here's the tank info:
 
Tank was fishless cycled, finished about a week before bringing him home.
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: 0
Temp: 80 F
PH: 8.2
 
Physically, he is still plump, I notice nothing odd around his eyes, but he is a little darker in color than I would expect.  He is not breathing heavily, but he spends almost all his time on the bottom of the tank or resting on a plant leaf.  With the lights still off this morning, I did see him at the top of the tank for a little bit, but that's all.
 
I would really appreciate any advice or ideas!  Don't want to lose the little guy!

 

[Gizaroo2]

Hello, and congrats on your addition of a dwarf puffer! 
 
Your little one is obviously very stressed out about something. I realize you said you had cycled the tank prior to getting the little fella, but how did you go about doing so? Your test results being all at 0 are a little odd for a properly cycled tank.  What test kit are you using?
 
How much current do you have? Some puffs like less current than others. Also, you are keeping him in freshwater, correct? These guys are freshwater only, and do not do well in brackish.
 
Do you have any photos of the puff and it's setup?

 

[saratogaslim]

Hi Gizaroo,
 
Thanks for your reply and well wishes for the little fella.  He seems no better tonight now that I'm home from work.   Here's the method I used (took about 4-5 weeks for me), used it pretty much to the letter:  http/www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/the-almost-complete-guide-and-faq-to-fishless-cycling-148283.html
 
Poor little puff is very stressed...which has me baffled with the water parameters. The only thing I can think of that would make him this way are IP or water conditions.  What would you expect to see in newly cycled tank?  I use API's master test kit.
 
The current is pretty light IMO, but maybe he doesn't like it?  He doesn't seem to avoid any one section of the tank, including the area where the current is strongest.  Yes, he's in fresh water.  I have some photos, both of his tank, him when I brought him home, and how he's feeling now but can't quite see how to attach pics from my local machine. =/  Thanks much for any ideas!  I fear he is fast going downhill

 

[simplyfish]

I tried keeping dwarf puffers a few years ago and they didn't last long in the tank. At the time someone suggested it could have been because the tank was cycled but 'immature'. As tanks get established there is a natural build up of Biofilm and microscopic algae which contribute to the fish's well being. Dwarf puffers have a reputation for being quite delicate, preferring very clean water and stable conditions.
 
Had you planned for any tank mates, might be a good idea to swap him out and put something else in for a while until the tank is more developed.
 
FYI, I'm no expert on DPs just my experience...

 

[Doomchibi]

I see from some of your other posts that you have other freshwater fish as well, right? Maybe add a little water from your established tank, or a plant, a handful of gravel etc just to be on the safe side since the tank is still pretty new. I'm not a fan of live food myself but if you wanted to give it a try,  you could ask a friend of LFS if you could have a couple of those tiny pest snails that come in on plants and see if your puffer will attempt to hunt them? Good luck and I hope your puffer gets better soon. 

 

[saratogaslim]

simplyfish, thanks for letting me know your experience.  I hadn't planned on getting a tank mate for him (thought to try some ghost shrimp at most - if it didn't work out, he'd have a snack lol).  You may be right that the tank was just too new.  Unfortunately, when I woke up this morning, he had passed away. (  I'm so bummed...he was cute and friendly.  Wish I knew if it was something with the water, etc.  Poor little guy. 
 
Doomchibi, I wish I still had my other freshwater tank.  Unfortunately I moved a couple of years ago and had to give it up - moving a 20 gallon and two Bolivian Rams without upsetting their little world was a task!  They did very well for another year and a half with their new owner, though.  I'm just now getting back into the hobby and thought to try a DP...had always wanted one.
 
Thanks for the responses folks.