Dogface Puffer with Black Dots and Nose Infection

[Declan O'Neill]

Hi,

I'm hoping you can help me identify some issues with my DogFace Puffer.

She has black dots on her back and her nose looks infected.

I've added two images. Any help in identifying symptoms/treatment would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[EmdeReef]

Welcome to R2R!!!

The area around the mouth looks like an injury that has been healing. How long has it been since you noticed this?

Treating with a sulfa based antibiotic should help clear up the infection.

Any other symptoms? Flashing or heavy breathing?

 

[Big G]

+1 ^^^ Sulfaplex and can add Neoplex too. This will cover a large range of infections.

 

[Declan O'Neill]

The area around the mouth looks like an injury that has been healing. How long has it been since you noticed this?

-- Last night during feeding I became really concerned, it must have progressed quickly. I initially noticed marks on Jan 1st and 9th (see images).

Any other symptoms? Flashing or heavy breathing?

- The puffer is not flashing, but I have noticed my Lunar Wrasse flashing over the past two days. Although, the Wrasse is showing no visible symptoms.

 

[Big G]

@Humblefish
Have you seen anything like this?

 

[Declan O'Neill]

Big G, Thank you for the meds recommendation "Sulfaplex and can add Neoplex too" I was going to try PraziPro.

 

[Humblefish]

@Humblefish
Have you seen anything like this?

Looks like an infection to me. Your suggestion of combining Sulfaplex + Neoplex to treat in this situation is an excellent idea.

 

[Big G]

Antibiotics can be very slow to work on fish. Give it the full 10 days of treatment. Sulfaplex aka Triple Sulfa, if that helps. Infections like this can go sideways really fast. Time is not on your fish's side here.

 

[Declan O'Neill]

Thanks again Big G, I really appreciate the advice.

 

[Big G]

And welcome to R2R! Keep us in the loop on your puffer's progress. Love me some puffers. If I could I'd have a tank just full of them.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

-- Last night during feeding I became really concerned, it must have progressed quickly. I initially noticed marks on Jan 1st and 9th (see images).

You have a wrasse that is flashing? Wrasses often don’t show symptoms of illness but can carry many. Have you added anything new to the tank without QT?

 

[Declan O'Neill]

Big G, I have a follow-up question. My local fish store had NeoPlex, but they did not have Sulfaplex. I purchased API Triple Sulfa instead.

a) I'm assuming Sulfaplex & API Triple Sulfa are similar products made by different companies?
b) If I start treatment with API Triple Sulfa, do I start treatment with NeoPlex at the same time?

 

[Declan O'Neill]

Actually, I believe this answers my question. I'm assuming the same is true for API Triple Sulfa and NeoPlex.

https://seachem.zendesk.com/hc/en-u...FAQ-Can-I-use-SulfaPlex-and-NeoPlex-together-

Should I treat with API Triple Sulfa first, then NeoPlex or vice versa?

 

[Big G]

The Sulfa med is the primary need. The Neoplex just helps cover other possibilities. Many have used them together successfully. But of course every fish is different and your mileage could vary.