Figure 8 Puffer on his way out

verbosity

http://www.fishforum.com/aquarium-lo...ters.php?t=813

I have tried to keep the puffer happy. Haven't seen any rise in ammonia.

Yesterday he wouldn't eat. This morning he looks like he might as well be dead. Laying on the ground (not straight up either).

I looked it up and said that puffers may want some salt. So I added salt. But I fear it may be to late. Any ideas what went wrong?

Lupin

What salt did you use? Use marine salt. What is your SG right now? You have 1 ppm ammonia which can be diluted via water change. But the whole data showed your tank has not finished cycling at all!

verbosity

I used API Aquarium Salt http://www.petguys.com/-317163011060.html

The tank hasn't cycled. This tank was set up and populated before I even knew about cycling.

He's dead now.. Standing straight up on the bottom. :(

I guess his name (Lucky) doesn't speak the truth at all.

Lupin

Use marine salt. Your puffer is better off in a brackish water environment. You'll need a hydrometer to check your specific gravity. How long have you had this puffer? Brackish water specimens when kept in pure freshwater tend to starve themselves to death. Fungal and bacterial infections are also a consequence as well.

verbosity

Ten or Eleven days. He was eating fine up to yesterday.

Lupin

Increase the SG by .001-.002 per week until you can keep the SG steady at 1.010-1.015.

verbosity

I'm guessing SG is salt something.

Fish is dead.

How do I measure SG? I haven't seen any kits for that.

Lupin

You have to use a hydrometer. If you are ready for brackish water, I'd suggest researching deeper in this field. You really need marine salt, not aquarium salt.