Porcupine Puffer gone Blind

[bgfrank213]

Hello to everyone,

I am fairly new to the hobby. I have a
30 gal Cube/ 25 lbs live rock. Fluval C3 filter. Fluval Heater.
1 Porcupine Puffer
4 Damsels
1 Green Emerald Crab
2 small red crabs
5 Hermit Crabs
5 Snails

1.026 SG
PH 8.0
Ammonia = 0<0.25
Nitrite = 0 ppm
Nitrate = 160 ppm
My puffer has gone blind, I first noticed about 3 weeks ago. I have tried Melafix for 1 week, and although his spirits have improved, I can tell he doesnt see. He used to come to the tank immediately to beg for food like a little dog. Ive had him for about 8 months now, never any problems. I feed him dried shrimp, frozen krill, Sallys Marine Cuisine. Now the only way that he eats is if I literally hand feed him. Im really bummed out. I know that I need to keep weekly water changes until my Nitrates are down. I could really use some help, Im sad that my Gordo is blind. The other fish in the tank seem fine except for him, he is blind. Any advice is welcome.

 

[Snelly40]

apparently ive read that its quite common and I know some guys on here have had some luck getting them to see again... i'll wait till they chime in tho haha

 

[whippetguy]

Here's a post from a couple of months ago that you might find helpful.

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/fish-diseases-treatments/89206-how-do-i-get-blind-puffer-eat.html

On another note, that tank is extremely too small for a porcupine puffer by about 150 gallons. He might never be as healthy as he could be without enough swimming space.

 

[bgfrank213]

Thanks Im anxiously awaiting some good news, and great advice on getting my Puffer back to normal.

 

[bgfrank213]

I grab my puffer, and feed him dried shrimp or other frozen food. If hes hungry he will eat it otherwise he spits it out. He/She, I dont know its a he or a she, never puffs up when I grab him. It seems like he expects me to grab to feed him since he is blind. Any advice you have I would appreciate it.

 

[Steve L]

Under perfect conditions it "might" get its eyesight back, but you have way too many fish and too little space for them, especially the puffer which needs at least 150 gallons. My guess is that the water parameters jump up and down a lot and the stress caused him to get sick in the first place. Even young and small puffers need big tanks to move around in. Your 30 gallon tank just isn't big enough for anything other than a very temporary home for a fish like a puffer.

 

[nanoreefing4fun]

to ReefSanctuary, a real Sanctuary of reef forums, with lots of very nice members

 

Start a new tank thread & share your tank with us so we can follow along - we love pics

Here hoping for the best !

 

[Mike Johnson]

Just four damsels is pushing the stocking capability of a 30 gal., without the puffer. The recommended tank size for a Porcupine is 180 gallons. Upgrading to a 50 gal. isn't going to change much. And, although it is widely reported that nitrates aren't poisonous to fish, it is also well known that high nitrates (160) will be detrimental to fish health. Are you feeding the puffer foods that will help to wear down it's teeth?

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+39+244&pcatid=244

 

[bgfrank213]

I feed him dried shrimp, krill, Sally's marine cuisine, live goldfish, and he would eat some of my hermit crabs. I would also get tiny snails which he would enjoy. Now that he can't see I haven't had to buy any hermit crabs to keep the same number of cleaners.