Filing Down Porcupine Puffer Teeth

[diesel35]

Does anyone know how to manually file down there teeth. Iam told it is possible but cannot find any information on how to do it.

[mcsassy]

I think you can do it with clippers by hand...but I would think it might puff up...why don't you just give it clams or something?

[woolfam]

I found an old woodpecker once whose beak had grown too long. I tried to help him by filing it down a little. but he died before I got his head out of the vise.Just kidding!But I've got to say, filing a fish's teeth is not something I would have ever thought about.

[Reefscape]

Put plenty of shelled clams and mussles in the tank, this is how they do do their own dentistry in the wild...its a natural instict for them..

Here is a link to a great article on puffer dentistry..

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_2/cav2i1/puffer_dentistry/puffer2.htm

[phreeflow]

Never let your puffer puff up...especially with air. It can be very dangerous for your puffer.

You can use clove oil to anesthetize the fish and they cut the teeth with nail clippers or use a file to shave them down. Google "clove oil puffer" or "clove oil fish" and it should pop up with a bunch of good info. There are specific products for anesthetizing fish in the fish trade but they are usually costly and clove oil works just as good and is pretty gentle. After you're done, plop the puffer back into fresh saltwater and it'll revive shortly. Good luck...

[phreeflow]

Here's some info...
http://aquariums.suite101.com/article.cfm/taking_care_of_puffer_fish_teeth