Swollen puffer

[EowynJane]

Woke up to a disturbing sight this morning...  one of my shyer puffers is really swollen right above his eye.  Of course it's hard to get a good look at him  but I believe the rest of him is fine, he hung around for a minute and I didn't see any injuries of any sort.  It's not discolored, fuzzy or anything else, just really really swollen.  The skin looks very tight and almost see through.  He's active and eating well.

Is there anything I can do for him?  Tank is scheduled for a water change tonight, I usually do about 50% water and vacuum.  Besides other puffers the only other occupant in the tank is a small BN.  I don't think I can add salt to this tank can I?

[LittlePuff]

Don't add salt. Try adding Melafix.

[Aiptasia]

What kind of puffer is it? Is it a brackish/salt tolerant species?

It sounds like a little bit of popeye, which is a bacterial eye infection behind or around the eye socket. Melafix probably wouldn't harm the fishes. It might run it's course and clear up on it's own.

[LittlePuff]

It's a dwarf puffer. Freshwater.

[CobraR]

Bacterial infections can cause abnormal osmotic functions in fish, causing accumulation of body fluids in any part of the fish, including the eyes.  Sounds like he has an infection of some sort.  As LittlePuff suggests, Melafix should clear it up.

[EowynJane]

I am happy to report that this little guy is almost completely back to normal

[LittlePuff]