I was asked to take a possibly blind dogface puffer fish.  So far the only things I know is that it's approx. 6 inches long and needs help to find it's food but is eating and chewing.

I'm going to try to be normal and set things up first.  Last time I was handed bags of unexpected fish, came home and ran around like crazy.  I will not do that again.  It's not fair for the fish.  (or my husband who has to help me carry the tanks around in a rush). 

For this fish, what size tank would be best and please tell me what you think I need to have ready.  I paid attention when you spoke at CTARS about them chewing things they shouldn't so I will 'puffer proof' the set up.  Put the heater and powerhead behind a wall of eggcrate.   The choice at the moment is 55 gallon, 50 breeder or a 20H.  If it's blind do I still put in pieces of PVC for it to hid or will it not need to hid because it can't see? Do you think it can sense the pvc or will it more likely bump into it? Also, is it ok to help this fish or with it being blind is it not humane to keep it alive? (I know some people in my life will be asking me that).  I would like to try it if you don't think it's cruel. 

Is there some medication that can be used to help her eyes if it was an infection that did this to her?  Have you have blind puffers before?

Also, would you think she need to be alone forever in a tank?  Do you think she can have a tank mate at some point.  They have an tiny Picasso trigger they want me to take but my concern is it may nip at the puffer...what do you think?  (I would QT them both seperatly)  If not the trigger, and you think she can have a tank mate what would be ok to put with her?  There is a Koran with MHLLE and some big angelfish of some sort they they want out because of space.

Any advice and links are very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Linda C.

Linda C.

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Only through education and the sharing of ideas can we expect a future for our hobby.

Is this an arothron nigropunctatus? 

Out of these - 50 breeder.

The puffer may be able to see shades/shadows with different lighting.  I have seen cataracts in a puffer - might be the case.  I have also seen arothron meleagris puffers develop limited vision both in home aquarium as well as public aquariums.  In larger aquariums with other predatory fish, placing the fish in a floating basket (with styrofoam blocks) helps protect the puffer.

I have and have used Vitamin A & D enriched vitamins to help improve the sight in one puffer.  If the cause is nutritional, this may help reverse some - but becareful because these vitamins are fat soluble and can become toxic if overdosed.

Nonaggressive fish may be okay as long as the puffer doesn't nip at them.

Thanks for sharing.