porcupine puffer question

[cdh9400t]

I have a porcupine puffer that is about 5 to 6 inches long. I have noticed that for the last week or so he doesnt seem to be opening his mouth very far when he eats. I usually feed him shrimp, and calimare. Even cutting it into very little peice he seems to be having a hard time eating. Any ideas would be great.

[Denbf58]

they do need hard shelled food to wear there teeth down

[Denbf58]

i found this to be a very interesting artical http://www.reefnut.com/Puffer%20Article.htm

[AquaScapes1]

His teeth are growing too long and need to be trimmed if he can't eat anything to file them down. I had one starve to death and then I got an other one which had the same problem so I looked into it more. they all do this. You can buy a tooth pain reliever at walgreens and use it as a tranquilizer. If you look on line you can find the exact name i forget at the moment. What you do is but him in a bucket and add about ten drops of this stuff and it does work then you can take him out of the water and file his teeth down with a dremal or something. It is one of the stranges things I have ever done, fish related. Good luck

[MrTuskfish]

The best way I know to keep puffer's teeth in shape is to put a piece of cuttlebone in the tank. The kind for birds, no vitamins added. Just wedge a piece somewhere and they'll find it. Its a natural marine product and triggers like it too.

[Dadof4]

This is a great article on how to trim teeth. The only thing that is recommended is to use Finquel vs Clove Oil. Clove Oil is starting to show long term neurological problems in puffers.


Puffer teeth trimming (http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/library/hospital/dentistry/#more-79)

Where to find Finquel (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4615+12271&pcatid=12271)

[reefergeorge]

cuttlebone? huh I'll have to give that a try good tip.
Does anyone see a problem doing this, and do you toss in the whole thing or just a piece. My porc is around 6" and trigger 3".

[MrTuskfish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14178631#post14178631 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefergeorge
cuttlebone? huh I'll have to give that a try good tip.
Does anyone see a problem doing this, and do you toss in the whole thing or just a piece. My porc is around 6" and trigger 3".
It really doesn't matter; I just wedge piece in the rock where it doesn't show. Check on it, they often will take a real liking to it and it will disappear in no time. I've also put a cuttlebone in a jar of tankwater and left it in the sun for a while. it gets covered with algae and looks natural.

[AquaScapes1]

If the cuttle bone works Id go for it. I almost want to get a puffer again and try it.