Trimming Puffers Teeth

[lisa_perry75]

I followed the puffer forums method for trimming puffers teeth. I would like to bring to peoples attention the fact you must take the clove oil and water mix and shake it very well. I did not realise this stupidly. But as it wasn't in the article I thought I'd mention it.

It led to the death of some much loved puffers for me...

I would recommend getting someone to help you so the process is as fast as possible. Plus one person can keep the puffers lips out of the way while you trim their teeth. Especially for small puffers as they are really fiddly. It's better to overkill on preparation than get it wrong.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

You should really only add a couple of drops of the oil to a much, much larger volume of water. Shaking the mixture should really not impact it very much in terms of dispersion at that size; are you positive that you got the ratio correct?

Sorry for your loss; I remember always being terrified when trimming my puffer's teeth.

 

[lisa_perry75]

They said 3 drops of oil to 3 cups tank water. I used a plastic cup as they are pretty standard size. As I found out the oil floats on the surface and I have heard since the oil can coat their gills and suffocate them. Because the oil floated on the surface the fish was in there 3 minutes nothing had happened, when in the guide it said they should go belly up in a minute. So I added a little more, which then didn't do anything, so I was in a dilemma what to do. Should I add more or leave it longer...

Moral of the story is to make sure you have a good supply of snails BEFORE you get the puffers. I might add these puffers were all very sick and in freshwater and I "saved" them from the lfs I worked at. I did not have any luck and tried many times to culture snails to no avail.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

yeah, you probably underdosed and then overdosed the puffer a true cup is only 8 oz of water, whereas most disposable plastic cups hold 12 to 20 ounces. blame portion inflation.

even if you had a steady supply of snails already available, once the teeth are overgrown to the point of trimming, there's not much else that can be done. snails are only good as preventatives.

that being said, a puffer's teeth can be allowed to reach incredible lengths before it's imperative that they be trimmed. i remember how my Asellus puffer used to suck down bloodworms through the gap in the middle! the next time you feel like rescuing puffers with mildly overgrown teeth, i suggest letting them get a bit healthier before bothering with trimming. puffers are already fairly sensitive fish, so i wouldn't attempt to sedate a sick one unless it was physically impossible for him to eat.