Chewing of pebbles to wear down teeth?
- scpion
- Fahaka Puffer
- Posts: 672
- Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2010 10:57 am
- My Puffers: 23in Mbu, donated to SEA Aquarium
4in Fahaka 150g - Location (country): singapore
Chewing of pebbles to wear down teeth?
Do puffers have the habit of chew on small stones/pebbles to wear down their own teeth? Birdy is doing this everyday. One of my ex gsp display the this same behaviour too. Guess I am in luck!
I am not a Troll, I am just pissed..!
Re: Chewing of pebbles to wear down teeth?
I have some porous rock that is always crawling with snails. I notice the puffers working hard trying to extract the snails. And prolly shearing some teeth.....
- bertie 83
- Moderator
- Posts: 5298
- Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2011 4:28 pm
- Gender: Male
- My Puffers: lineatus R.I.P, South American puffer. Valentini puffer, porcupine puffer.
Non puffer
Danios, Tetras, Redtail Rasporas,
Harlequins, CAE's, Yoyo
Loaches, Clown loaches ,Eels, various shrimp, tangs,wrasses, damsels, chromis - Location (country): Brighton, England
- Location: brighton , england
Re: Chewing of pebbles to wear down teeth?
I have heard before of this behaviour but not seen it much myself. My fahaka does this sometimes (rarely) so yes, I think you may be lucky. Keep up the crunchy foods tho, I know you will.
It's amazing how easy maintenance is. If done regularly and thoroughly
- El Scorpio
- Fahaka Puffer
- Posts: 534
- Joined: Sun Sep 19, 2010 12:11 pm
- Gender: Male
- My Puffers: none, at the moment...
- Location (country): Louisville, KY.
Re: Chewing of pebbles to wear down teeth?
I've seen numerous species of puffers nibbling on rocks. I assume it is to wear down their teeth, much like a hamster gnawing on wood sticks.
-
- Mbu Puffer
- Posts: 1116
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 5:28 pm
- Gender: Male
- My Puffers: none currently :(
- Location (country): USA
- Location: Philadelphia Area
Re: Chewing of pebbles to wear down teeth?
my GSP's have done this when i was keeping them. never my F8 though. i mentioned it on here and it was thought that they either would see pods that they tried to eat on the live rock, or he was performing his own dentistry. either way i still provided a heavily shelled diet and never had the slightest bit of over growth on my GSP
- sgtmyers88
- Moderator
- Posts: 1294
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2012 12:37 am
- Gender: Male
- My Puffers: Green Spotted Puffers
- Location (country): USA
- Contact:
Re: Chewing of pebbles to wear down teeth?
I actually witnessed this happening a lot when I first introduced my GSP's to the tank. They would chew on pebbles or bite down and "flinch" themselves on some dead coral rock that I got real cheap at the LFS. It was the most unique thing I had ever seen a fish do. I threw in some small snails to make their habits more rewarding.
WARNING: Puffers are mischievous little blimps with enchanting powers. You may not be content with having just one.