Puffer with damaged nose

[carlov2004]

HI there this is my first post, i have a 7 year old nile puffer who is about 14-15 inches long. Today he hit the side of the tank really hard, he hasn't got any cuts but it looks like his broken his nose if thats possible.......has anyone had this problem before?, if so any ideas on what i can do to help him ....also over the last year his break is getting a little brown like plaque build up on teeth any ideas?
Thanks

[pufferpuggirl]

Hello, and welcome to the forum, sorry your first post has to be over something serious like this.

Any chance of you getting a picture of his nose?

That's fantastic that you've had him so long. Is he really tame? (Sorry for all the questions, but don't know anyone who's had a Fahaka that long).

[carlov2004]

will try and post a picture in a little bit but his temperamental and doesn't like the flash, he is tame in a way , in that he is kept in with lots of other fish and he doesn't hurt them at all but i have noticed that he takes a dislike to me wearing anything in red, he lets you put your hands in the tank but doesn't let you touch him though i have heard of people being able to handle theirs ....i think it would be stressful for the puffer to be held . I think he will be ok i just feed him a king prawn and didn't have any probs eating it. : )

[kevinjgray88]

try feeding him more foods with shells like snails to try and clean that plaque off. ya if he is still eating and seems fine i dont think you have anything to worry about, it might get better down the road.

[pufferpuggirl]

I'm glad to hear that he's having no problems eating. Does he have a name?
I must admit that I am very intrigued because, like I said, I've never met anyone who's had a Fahaka as long as you have.
I've only had my little guy since New Year's Eve, and he's still very young because he's only just gotten to 3", was very small when I first got him. I can't imagine putting my hand, or fingers, in the tank with my Obie because he always acts like he's going to bite me when I have my hand on the outside of the tank.

[Pufferpunk]

That's fantastic that you've had him so long. Is he really tame? (Sorry for all the questions, but don't know anyone who's had a Fahaka that long).

Filbert's gotta be at least that old.

he takes a dislike to me wearing anything in red

You're not the 1st person around here to state that.

BTW...

[Brent]

I didn't think 7 was really that old for a Fahaka. I read that 10-15 years is the average lifespan.

[Pufferpunk]

You're right.