Puffer Teeth Need Trimming

[roseK]

cuticle? that seems funny. if it says to use cuticle clippers, it would just make it easier than nail, cuticle clippers have a better handle, and with the style its easier to see what you are doing than regular nail clippers

 

[pica_nuttalli]

an old post of mine, from this topic

this is a run-down on how i trim teeth.

* you'll need two things of water (about the size of a cool-whip container or a plastic butter tub) and a pair of medium-quality cuticle trimmers (get them at the local beauty supply store)
* fill each of tub with tank water, to 2"-3" deep. make sure there's plenty of water to cover the puffer completely
* add a couple of drops of clove oil to one container (about 1 drop per cup); try to avoid getting any oil on your fingers.
* stir the water up so that the oil is pretty evenly dispersed.
* capture the puffer (net and a small cup) and release him in the water with the oil
* you'll need to watch this part carefully. he'll probably thrash around for a few minutes then start to calm down. very shortly after calming, he'll start to drift or tilt a bit in the water.
* pick the puffer up at this point (i hold mine in a net) and trim off the excess tooth growth. try not to rush it and if your hands won't steady, just let it slide for a couple more days. you'll want to be careful not to damage the puffer's face.
* after the trim, place the puffer in the other tub of clean water. the clean water should "wake" him up; i generally keep it in a dimly lit area for this part to reduce the stress.
* once the puffer starts moving around a bit, re-release him into the main tank. he'll probably lay low for a couple of hours and may sulk for a day or so, but if he's swimming around at all, he'll be fine

really, trimming the teeth is more nerve-wracking (for both owner and puffer) than it is difficult. some good ways of reducing the need to trim include feeding harder foods such as sinking carnivore wafers/pellets, feeding lots and lots of snails, and keeping the puffer on flaked substrates such as Wardley's Ceramic Pond Soil or Seachem's Laterite.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Thanks guys! I guess i'll try to look for some of those cutical clippers when I go get the clove oil. If I can't find any, i'll just try with the normal ones. Thanks agian, wish me luck, and i'll give you the results tommorow.

 

[ArauraDiscus]

You could put a weekend feeder in there. As he nibbles at the hard and dissolving white matter, he will probably get his teeth ground down.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

You could put a weekend feeder in there. As he nibbles at the hard and dissolving white matter, he will probably get his teeth ground down.

That would be a good idea, although i'm not sure if he would eat it, seeing as he only eats frozen/live foods. I would also worry about it being plaster based.

So, I went out, got some cutical scissors and some clove oil. It says it's 100 percent pure, undiluted clove oil from the bud of the clove. I'm a little scared I didn't get the correct stuff. It's Aromaforce clove oil, it's actually aroma therapy stuff. This is the stuff any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

DL

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Anyone I would like to get started soon.

 

[Tommo]

Well the site claims it to have anaesthetic and antiseptic properties, which is what you want, so that should be the correct stuff.

Can someone else confirm if this is the right stuff?

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Well the site claims it to have anaesthetic and antiseptic properties, which is what you want, so that should be the correct stuff.

Can someone else confirm if this is the right stuff?

Thanks Tommo. Anyone else?

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

C'mon guys, i'm getting really impatient...

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

...Guess i'll just go for it. Wish me luck.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Okay. I finished. He is in the recovery container, with my dad looking at him. I was a little nervous, and didn't get too much off, so I will try again in 3 or 4 days.

 

[DarkEntity]

You dont need to get much off...just enough so he can close his mouth

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

It's been a bit and he isn't moving yet. Breathing, but no moving...

 

[DarkEntity]

It's been a bit and he isn't moving yet. Breathing, but no moving...

Be patient, its like a human coming out of surgery and all doped up...just make sure he is kept relatively warm (tank water temp) and doenst get cold

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Thanks Dark! I did get a chunk out of the middle of his mouth. Although, i'm not sure if it will be enough, we will see I guess. Good news! He is moving around!I am floating the container in the tank, just to make sure the temp. is the same.