Puffer Fish in need of help.. help save deano

[nichola]

I bought a tropical fish tank and left the tank to settle as instructed by the shop, i was told to leave the tank for up to 3 months before putting in my puffer fish (to get the right bactria), but if i put some other fish in first this would help speed up the process. (i put 2 parrot fish in it for 2 months) i then bought 2 small figure 8 puffers and 2 small spotted puffers, ive had them 3 weeks and 3 of them have died within the last 2 days (the water as far as i know is ok and has the right about of salt in it) i have been feeding them frozen blood worm, dryed blood worm and also pellets (they was fed snails on the day i bought them so didnt need any more as yet)

does any one have any ideas why they have died? or what i have done wrong
They wasnt eatting alot and deano seems to be at the top of the tank alot now, i dont think he is too heathy either

 

[Puffer_freak]

How often are you feeding them?
Have you got a water test kit?
Was it Spotted or Green Spotted puffers?
PROBLEM ALERT with the water I think! Puffers will not tolerate ANY nitrites and are very prone to diseases. Always make sure you wash your hands before doing anything with the tank. Also, did you research them properly and are the parrots still in there?

FACT: Do NOT put two types of puffers together, your lfs shouldn't have sold you both types!

 

[Erised]

Just to add to the question list:
What size tank did/do you keep them in?

 

[nichola]

No i took the parrots out 2 days before i got the puffers and i did a 50% water change and clean before they went in.

The puffer were just spotted puffers, not green spotted puffers.

I was feeding them every 2 days (1 time frozen and one time dryed blood worm) and snails every 2 weeks to keep teeth down.

The water was tested before the puffers were put into them but as its only been 3 weeks it hasnt been tested since (i will do this now) although i done another water change on Sunday and added part of a water cleaner disc.

I asked the bloke in the shop if it was ok to keep them together and he said it would be fine, he said some puffers dont go together but these ones will be ok. (i will go back and mention this to him, as i wouldnt have put them together otherwise)

The size of the tank i am not sure of, its a hexagon tank 2ft high by 1.5ft wide (approx)

 

[nichola]

I have bought an ammonia testing kit and API Ammo-Lock 2 , i will use this as soon as i get home from work.

I did look into all the food requirements etc for the fish but as the water was tested before i bought them i assumed everything was ok otherwise they wouldnt have sold me them.

thanks for everyones help, lets hope im not to late

 

[nichola]

Im sorry to say Deano didnt make it though the night

Thank you for everyones replies and help

Im not sure what i will be doing or putting in the tank now, at the moment i dont want to put anything in it incase i kill it, so ill just be testing the water and looking into types of fish.

I would like to have puffers again as thats what i bought and set the tank up 4 months ago for (im sure i can wait a little longer if ive waited this long), but i will make sure everything is perfect this time

Ill keep you all posted

Bye from

Nichola and oceans 11 tank (franky,deano,sammy and angie)

 

[Puffer_freak]

I'm sso sorry to hear about that.

If I were you, I still wouldn't go for two types of puffers, just to be on the safe side.

By the way, did you put them in a brackish tank, as I'm pretty sure that Figure 8s and Spotted need brackish.

If you don't want to go brackish, I would suggest getting some Dwarf Puffers. Do your research and be sure to post something and tell us what you're getting before you buy them...we may be able to give you advice, and we will congratulate you on getting your new fish.

Good luck!!