Buck Toothed Puffer

lion king · Jul 5, 2020

This is my 4th arothron puffer over a 30 year span, until now, I have never had a dental issue. Every puffer until this one, somehow managed to keep their teeth filed down. I think this one even gets more crunchy stuff that is usually recommended to help with this issue. The difference, this is just a lazy guy that does not scavenge, so now I have a dental issue that will require human assistance.

I've tried and failed to track down local leads to "so-called" professional help, so I think I'm on my own. I really don't want to do it, but don't think I have any other option. I have clove oil but have yet to track down a really good explanation of the procedure and dosage. Any one with a link to get instructions with specific dosage would be greatly appreciated.

@Big G

smlarson72 · Jul 5, 2020

Here is an article about trimming their teeth. Maybe it can help. https://petcentral.chewy.com/pufferfish-teeth-care/

Thomashtom · Jul 5, 2020

Hi , in the meantime soak clams on half shell with garlic extreme and hand deem him making sure he chomps down on shell a few times. Thanks

smlarson72 · Jul 5, 2020

Here is another link.

by Kelly Jedlicki and Anthony Calfo

www.wetwebmedia.com

Big G · Jul 5, 2020

Clove oil is, well, a bit unreliable in strength. Recommend MS-222 instead. Very reliable, industry results and tested. Much safer.

Aquarium Fish: Use of MS-222 (Tricaine Methanesulfonate) to Induce Sedation and Anesthesia in Ornamental Fishes

MS-222 continues to be a valuable tool for aquatic animal keepers. Its low cost and wide availability, as well as its relatively high degree of safety and reliability, make it an attractive choice of anesthetic agent for numerous types of applications.

reefs.com

Kris 2020 · Jul 6, 2020

lion king said:
This is my 4th arothron puffer over a 30 year span, until now, I have never had a dental issue. Every puffer until this one, somehow managed to keep their teeth filed down. I think this one even gets more crunchy stuff that is usually recommended to help with this issue. The difference, this is just a lazy guy that does not scavenge, so now I have a dental issue that will require human assistance.

I've tried and failed to track down local leads to "so-called" professional help, so I think I'm on my own. I really don't want to do it, but don't think I have any other option. I have clove oil but have yet to track down a really good explanation of the procedure and dosage. Any one with a link to get instructions with specific dosage would be greatly appreciated.

@Big G

Please make this pic your avatar! Sorry I don’t know how to trim teeth...

lion king · Jul 6, 2020

Thanks for all the responses, yeah, I'm not going to do that. I'll start calling every vet in the city today. I can't imagine I won't be able to find at least one. I'm in Las Vegas.

Hugh Mann · Jul 6, 2020

I read both of the provided links, seems like a good idea to consult a vet. Interested to see how it goes. Fortunately you're in such a populous area. In my town of 5,000, the two vets here just sort of laughed when I asked if they had any experience with fish.

I also +1 the motion of using the buck tooth Puffer as your new avatar.

Halal Hotdog · Jul 6, 2020

If a puffers teeth get too long it can cause an inability to eat and death. Having clams in the tank can help, also small crab shells with some meat stuffed on the inside. After a certain point they are not able to trim unassisted, in which case clove oil and some stressful manual trimming will become necessary. If a vet can do it for you then that is definitely the way to go.

lion king · Jul 6, 2020

Halal Hotdog said:
If a puffers teeth get too long it can cause an inability to eat and death. Having clams in the tank can help, also small crab shells with some meat stuffed on the inside. After a certain point they are not able to trim unassisted, in which case clove oil and some stressful manual trimming will become necessary. If a vet can do it for you then that is definitely the way to go.

This puffer gets clams, fiddler crabs, shell on shrimp, human grade krill(crunchy shells), silversides(bones), and I think if they don't pick the rocks and siff through substrate this is what happens. My other puffers were always scavenging. I've had this guy about 6-7 years, I've had one over 10 years.

Well i'm out of luck for a vet. i had heard one place in town did it, they had never returned my messages. I got a human on the phone today, she said "You have to bring him in for an exam", I asked if they would do him when I brought him in, she said "they would have to see him first". I asked if they were able to do it the same day I brought him in, that I would not pull him just for an exam. She said "they would have to see him first". Maybe it's me, I said "never mind" and hung up. I've learned time and time again, when you are having a stressed and difficult conversation with someone you are trying to hire, it's best to just , not hire them.

Really not sure what to do at this point, I think he is better on his own than me trying to operate. I'm going to try and hand feed him crab legs, snails, and such exclusively foir a while to see if that helps.

Larry L · Jul 6, 2020

@lion king Is there a public aquarium nearby that might be able to help you out, or at least point you to someone who could do it?

TriggerFinger · Jul 6, 2020

Good suggestion for the public aquarium,they may have their own fish vet. Do you have any trustworthy fish stores that might be able to help?

lion king · Jul 6, 2020

TriggerFinger said:
Good suggestion for the public aquarium,they may have their own fish vet. Do you have any trustworthy fish stores that might be able to help?

I have exhausted all local resources. Access to the public aquarium resources are corporate, completely shut down, they have no interest or care. The lfs don't see this because most of their customers only keep their fish a year or two, so they never see this, and have no idea how to address it.

The top teeth look fine and he currently eats just fine. I just don't want it to turn into a health/life threatening situation. So I'm being proactive with a plan, I would just really hate to kill him by trying to do it myself.

Angel_Anthias lover · Jul 6, 2020

Overgrown puffer teeth - plaster food blocks? - Reef Central Online Community

Overgrown puffer teeth - plaster food blocks? Reef Fishes

www.reefcentral.com

I found this thread which may offer some ideas.

Maybe soaking a cuttlefish bone in something enticing like garlic may get him to pick it.

lion king · Jul 6, 2020

Angel_Anthias lover said:
Overgrown puffer teeth - plaster food blocks? - Reef Central Online Community

Overgrown puffer teeth - plaster food blocks? Reef Fishes

www.reefcentral.com

I found this thread which may offer some ideas.

Maybe soaking a cuttlefish bone in something enticing like garlic may get him to pick it.

Very interesting, wonder if the lazy butt will actually work for it.

JumboShrimp · Jul 6, 2020

Quite the situation— we’re all pulling for you! Let’s hope that even though it might ‘appear’ that his teeth might be getting to the point where eating it difficult, he can still manage to get adequate nutrition as a point of fact. Best wishes.