green spotted puffers

Question
QUESTION: i have two green spotted puffers and they both are covered with little bubbles and it looks like their skin is peeling  their stomach is dark on one of them. i also have a pink kissing fish also and it has the bubbles and the look of peeling . the puffers are out favorite fish could you please help me i don't want him to die.

ANSWER: Hi Amanda,
I'm not sure exactly what they have, and its always difficult to diagnose with a text description. Could you send a picture?

If not, that's ok.

The little bubbles don't look like ick parasites do they?

http://www.fishybusiness-sc.com/images/ickfish.jpg

Hopefully they are actually minute air bubbles from the filter return but if they look like the fishes skin has been sprinkled with salt then I'm afraid you do have an ick parasite infestation in your tank.

Its very possible the water quality may be very poor causing the skin peeling problem. I think its best if you check your water quality by testing ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels.


A precautionary 30% water change never hurts just to relieve some of the stress on the fish.

Let me know what you figure out... (whether or not the fish have ick)
Karen~

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: well my one puffer died last night and from that pic that you sent me of the ick parasite it does look like that will it kill all of my fish and what can i do to stop it we have well water and i have aquasafe that is sapose to make tap water safe for fish is there something else i should have i also use aquarium salt just a level teaspoon per five gallon of water. thank you for your help

Answer
Oh I'm so sorry to hear that... :(


Ick parasites can kill fast if they are left unchecked and some fish can tolerate them more than others. The best thing to do is start medication treatment right away after doing a 50% water change first to clean the tank.

I've always used Quickcure medication but most any ick medication would work. However, make sure to check the label to make sure the med doesn't warn against using it with fish like puffers that tend to be extra sensitive.

Normally I'd follow this ick treatment schedule-

*Change 50% of the water everyday
*Redose ick medication after water change
*Raise temp to 82-84
*Increase Aeration
*Add aquarium salt (per directions) --(this is optional)

*Continue this treatment for minimum 12-4 days...While this is against most medication directions, it has turned out to be quite successful in my experience.


Best of luck and I do hope this helps!
Karen~