I have 1 puffer that can't eat cause of his tooth how can I get rid of it so he can eat?

Question

some one said that he feeds his puffers fiddler crabs to keep his puffers teeth down and little but mine can't even eat a night crawler. So is there a way to file it down or snap it off? Please help me

Answer 1

Depending on the size and type of your puffer, you can start by trying to feed him small snails. If his tooth is already grown to the point here he can't eat at all, some have tried filing the tooth, but this involves sedating the fish, keeping out of water to do the work, and the possibility of an anesthetic overdose, or being bitten. See this link for info on some things you might try: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_2/cav2i1/puffer_dentistry/puffer2.htm

Answer 2

If it can't eat anything, you will have to clip/file the tooth yourself, or if there is a local vet that has knowledge of fish, or a fish store that you know and trust, they may be able to help you. (Not one of the big chain stores!!! A local one.)

The site listed above is a good one, and here is another one.

http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/library/hospital/dentistry/

The biggest thing is to be quick and gentle. Have a second person to help you too. And, like the above article states, if it is weak, you'll have to attempt it inside the aquarium without sedating it...

I'm guessing it's a freshwater or brackish puffer from your question. The easiest way to prevent it is to make sure that you include "crunchy" foods in the puffer's diet. Snails, shrimp, clams and such.

I've also heard that giving the puffer something like a cuttlebone or similar thing helps with some fish, but I have never tried it myself.

Good luck with it...

Answer 3

Not really try ghost shrimp.