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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 1/18/2008 3:46:29 PM
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| Hello, we have been attempting to feed our porcupine puffer as we previously talked about. We are using some of my medical equipment that is available to me because I am a nurse. We are tube feeding him at least once a day, preferably twice if we can. We have been using mostly brine, treated with vitachem and inserting the tube as far down his throat as we can. It appears that he is getting some and is alive and fairly active. He does seem to have somewhat of a "hunchback" at times, which appears to be a relatively new phenomenon. How can we tell if our efforts have helped? Will he all of a sudden want to eat whatever we put in the tank? We do have him in our hospital tank, which is cycled with a damsel and a clown. We just want to know what to expect? We have absolutely cut out the freeze dried brine, which I am afraid to give to any of our fish anymore!!! Can we expect a major turnaround???
Ohiosaltwaterfishlovers
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| Thanks for the update. I have not seen or heard of a major turn a round once the fish has gone this long. I'm not saying it will never happen & I too would "give it my all". The hunch in the back is often seen as the disease process progresses. If you are tube feeding, I would suggest feeding a highly nutritious food slushie/slurry - blenderized shrimp, squid, silversides, scallops... I usually only use live brine to try to jump start a fish. Are you tube feeding the puffer while it is awake? How much are you feeding? Any regurgitating? Have you seen any feces being passed?
Kelly
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 1/18/2008 3:46:29 PM
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Thanks for your response. We are feeding our porcupine puffer frozen brine shrimp, thawed in water. We have to be cognizant of the thickness of the food, as the thinner the food is the better it fits in the tube. We do feed him while he is awake, and attempt to get the tube beyond his glottis. He does seem to get some, we don't really see any regurgitation. We also haven't seen any feces, though we are not around all the time to watch him. What exactly is the "hunchback"? Before he got sick, it seemed to come and go, but now seems to be a more permanent thing. How long can he last? He hasn't really "eaten" in weeks! Doesn't this puffer eat 3 times a day? We are just baffled, but will continue our efforts...
Ohiosaltwaterfishlovers
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Ohiosaltwaterfishlovers (12/20/2007)
Thanks for your response. We are feeding our porcupine puffer frozen brine shrimp, thawed in water. We have to be cognizant of the thickness of the food, as the thinner the food is the better it fits in the tube. We do feed him while he is awake, and attempt to get the tube beyond his glottis. He does seem to get some, we don't really see any regurgitation. We also haven't seen any feces, though we are not around all the time to watch him. What exactly is the "hunchback"? Before he got sick, it seemed to come and go, but now seems to be a more permanent thing. How long can he last? He hasn't really "eaten" in weeks! Doesn't this puffer eat 3 times a day? We are just baffled, but will continue our efforts...The hunch is related to nutritional deficiency. Puffers really only need to eat once a day to every other day. If the puffer hasn't eaten in a while, the stomach might be shrunken and not hold much - so small more frequent feedings might be necessary. I would recommend blenderized shrimp, scallops and cyclopeeze.
Kelly
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| Okay,he's still hangng in..... We don't know how he could be "surviving" considering that he really hasn't eaten in weeks. He does not have a shrunken stomach, just the hunchback. He is somewhat lethargic, doesn't have too much energy. Seems to only hang out on one side of the tank. Don't suppose anyone would if they haven't eaten. We are just wondering when to expect the inevitable? P.S. LSU or OSU??????
Ohiosaltwaterfishlovers
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| Might try giving Vitamin B12 in the food or adding to the tank or via bath. It may stimulate the appetite. As far as prediction as to how long the puffer can hang on...???? Please consider necropsy by NCSU - there is a stickied thread in this forum: Lockjaw and Krill. Let me know.
Kelly
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Last Login: 3/26/2008 1:18:10 PM
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Just an fyi.....my puffer has not eaten for apprx 3 months now (at least not that I can see!)..he is definitely slowing down. He wants to eat, but can't. I have a marine beta in the same tank, so I am still feeding mysis and attempting to at least get a little something into the puffers mouth by way of a small baster....I don't have a lot of hope for it. So sad
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| What type of puffer is this? What was it eating before it went on the hunger strike? Can you post a pic of the puffer?
Kelly
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Porcupine. I've had "him" for about 5 years. Fed mysis and defrosted krill.
I'll try to post a pic here this weekend.
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| Diets consisting soley or mostly of krill can lead to nutritional deficiencies and lock jaw. Looking forward to a pic. Have you tried Vitamin B 12 or gut loaded live ghost shrimp?
Kelly
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