How to Treat Puffers With Internal Parasites

Puffers, also called blowfish, have the unusual ability to turn themselves into a ball to ward off predators, according to National Geographic. To inflate, the puffer consumes large amounts of water from its surroundings--either its aquarium or the ocean. This ingestion of water, along with the natural feeding habits of the puffer, can cause this fish to become infected with internal parasites. Medications can be used to treat puffer worms; when the parasites die, they are expelled from the fish's body through the normal digestive process.

Things You'll Need

  • Anti-parasitic food
  • Parasite medication
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Instructions

    • 1

      Look for anti-parasitic fish food at your local pet store. Verify with a staff member that the food and the medication contained within is safe to feed your puffer. Sometimes fish that have internal parasites will refuse food, so offer it to your puffer frequently if it appears to not be eating very much at a time.

    • 2

      Deworm your puffer with daily medications. According to The Puffer Forum, metronidazole is available in powdered form and can be mixed into your fish's regular food. This may be more successful than using an anti-parasitic food because your fish will find the food familiar. One measuring scoop, or about 100 mg, of the medication can be mixed with 1 tsp. of tank water and fish food. Letting the food soak for several minutes in the medication before offering it to your fish may increase the likelihood that he will find it palatable.

    • 3

      Treat your puffer through its tank water on a weekly basis if he is not eating. Purchase a livestock deworming medication called levamisole. Add 1/4 tsp. of the powdered medication for every 10 gallons of tank water in your aquarium, according to The Puffer Forum. The medication will treat the parasites as your fish swallows water. You can also treat your puffer by soaking with other medications in this same manner. Dissolve 38 mg of praziquantel per gallon of water, and allow your fish to bathe in the mixture for 3 hours before putting him into a tank of nonmedicated water.