*Freshwater* amazon puffer not Eating. Teeth too long?

[NotFishyFishGuy]

Hey guys this is fresh water stuff so please don’t post bad comments about how it is freshwater. So I have had 4 amazon puffers for about A week or two and they were all fine but I ran out of clams and figured they should be fine. The nearest LFS is about 45 minutes away so I didn’t want to get more clams. For the past few days, one of them have not been eating. I figured he just doesn’t like the food so sooner or later he would see something he likes. Today I fed a lot of bloodworms. He likes them but literally can’t eat them. The worm never gets into his mouth he just attempts to eat it. He keeps trying to eat it but it looks like his teeth are too long and he just can’t eat it. What do I do now?

 

[Angel_Anthias lover]

I think some people clip their puffers teeth with special scissors things, or if you have any rock they could gnaw on. Can you order clams online or even just snail shells ?

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

I think some people clip their puffers teeth with special scissors things, or if you have any rock they could gnaw on. Can you order clams online or even just snail shells ?

Should I try clipping them? I don’t have clove oil or anything...even if I ordered now would he be okay? Hasn’t eaten for a few days maybe a week...

 

[NanoDJS]

you have to feed puffers and fish like that food that will wear their teethdown , clams on the half shell ect .... they eat snails ,and things inside shells in the wild

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

you have to feed puffers and fish like that food that will wear their teethdown , clams on the half shell ect .... they eat snails ,and things inside shells in the wild

Yeah that’s what I have been doing until I ran out. I’m not sure if that puffer even ate the clams.

 

[Angel_Anthias lover]

Should I try clipping them? I don’t have clove oil or anything...even if I ordered now would he be okay? Hasn’t eaten for a few days maybe a week...

Sorry i dont keep puffers, so i honestly dont know, just suggesting stuff. Hope he gets better

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

Sorry i dont keep puffers, so i honestly dont know, just suggesting stuff. Hope he gets better

Ohhh thanks anyways

 

[LadyMac]

Try getting him some pond or rams horn snails. I don’t know how to clip his beak but he may be able to wear it down with the snail shells.

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

Try getting him some pond or rams horn snails. I don’t know how to clip his beak but he may be able to wear it down with the snail shells.

He is only like 2 inches will he eat them? I’ll try to get some from my LFS

 

[NanoDJS]

yes and like mad !!!

 

[LadyMac]

Would probably be easier than the clams imo. Pond snails are prolific, and start out quite tiny. See if they (or any other hobbyist) would have some in different size ranges.

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

Would probably be easier than the clams imo. Pond snails are prolific, and start out quite tiny. See if they (or any other hobbyist) would have some in different size ranges.

Ok great thanks. So no need to clip the beak?

 

[LadyMac]

Pics?

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

Pics?

He is hiding right now and I literally just left my house...I will when I get a chance. Also, he swims very fast, is small, and shy so I don’t think pics will be too helpful...

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

Any other thoughts or are the snails enough? I’ll update this thread once I feed the snails so you all know if they are fine now or if he won’t eat it still

 

[siggy]

I just ordered a clean up crew from reefcleaners and My blue tangs went nuts on the snails, If they can do it that guy should be able to. Try the online vendors, better prices in the long run and good luck with your tank

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

I just ordered a clean up crew from reefcleaners and My blue tangs went nuts on the snails, If they can do it that guy should be able to. Try the online vendors, better prices in the long run and good luck with your tank

Thanks will do

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

If you can't get the puffer to eat and you don't know the correct process of cutting their teeth I would contact a vet that can at least walk you through the process. I was going to get some of these puffers and did a lot of research and spoke with people that have had these puffers for 15+ years. Amazon puffers are also wild caught and need to be dewormed. Some stores will do that before they are sold but most won't because of the extra expense.

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

If you can't get the puffer to eat and you don't know the correct process of cutting their teeth I would contact a vet that can at least walk you through the process. I was going to get some of these puffers and did a lot of research and spoke with people that have had these puffers for 15+ years. Amazon puffers are also wild caught and need to be dewormed. Some stores will do that before they are sold but most won't because of the extra expense.

Oh ok. I will see if there are any in my area. Thanks

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

I got snails and clams on the half shell. Will feed them when I get home