Puffer with big teeth

[bluepenguin]

I have a dogface puffer that has developed an overbite and I don't believe he can open his mouth properly to eat,his teeth are huge. I know they are supposed to wear them down by chewing on coral and such but he isn't. Other than that he is healthy.
It may sound funny and I am not a novice(I used to import and export marine fish) I have just never seen this before

 

[OrionGirl]

The condition is treatable with filing. Most people encourage their puffers to go after shell fish--mussels and common clams can be fed in the shell, forcing the fish to chew. If there's not a feeding imperative, many puffers won't just chew on rocks.

 

[bluepenguin]

How do I go about filing?
I have encouraged him with live clams but he does nothing he sits on top of it

 

[OrionGirl]

I've never done it. See if you can pm appaloosatb. She might be able to offer some tips. Or, if you can find a vet that specializes in treating exotics--maybe a local aquarium or zoo? I have no idea how it's done with stressing the heck out of the fish--knocking them out, maybe? I just know it can be done.

Another thing to try, if you can find them, would be some small clawless crawdads. The movements might be more enticing than a mussle or clam. They have a fairly high tolerance to SW, so will stay alive for 4-5 minutes easily, longer if you acclimate them a a bit. Worked wonders for an octopus we had a while back.

 

[FishBait]

Did you do anything to the clam before presenting it? I feed my clown trigger live clams, but if I don't crack it for him first he can't open it. He then loses interest after a few minutes. Once he smells the meat, he tears the thing up. I've never seen a puffer/trigger reject a live clam, but if you haven't before, crack it open to allow him an access point.