The Puffer Forum

Today, his mouth seems full of white stuff again? Last time it was a lump of cockle, but He hasn't had cockle recently.Yesterday I could see the inside of his mouth, but today it is obscured by the white area? Also the small lump on the left of his lower jaw is there again. The MS222 should hopefully arrive tomorrow & I will be able to anaesthetise him properly. Oh, & just seen a gorgeous porcupine puffer at LFS - about 3" long!

I have Melafix & Pimafix. Should I start treatment with these regardless of whether I know what is going on with his mouth? I read that it is good for use when handling fish or when they are at risk of getting stressed.

It never hurts to add those. At least Melafix at this point.

Well, I have completely f****d that up ! I have used the MS222 to anaesthetise him, which for some reason was much more difficult than with clove oil. I had all my equipment laid out & a recovery container for afterwards. The lump of white stuff in his mouth WAS food again, so that was easily removed. However, in trying to trim his teeth right at the back, I have made him bleed in the corners of his gums. I think I also may have cut his nose area. His bottom left tooth is loose & I think that is why he has the lump on the outside (abscess) I lanced this with a needle & white stuff came out. He has now been returned to his normal tank, with the lights off. He is swimming around, but I feel I may have done more harm than good. I feel very upset & a bit tearful now , especially as it does not seem to have made a difference to his mouth, which is still not closed properly. I have added Melafix. Is there ANYTHING else I can/should do?

It's ok, I cut my poor SAPs lip right off my 1st attempt at trimming teeth.



He healed up just fine. Maybe his mouth just hurts? Definately add Melafix & be sure his water is pristine. Is he ok from the tranq?

He seems fine & is swimming ok - just a bit reluctant to come to the front of the tank to see me now! He has however just eaten some brine shrimp & his appetite is good. I did a big water change yesterday & will do a small one again tomorrow, when he is more settled. I will keep you posted, but fingers crossed for now.

Good appetite is always, always a good sign!

Well, he is back to normal this evening - swimming around & begging for food . Still can't close his mouth though. Will have to continue feeding smaller, softer foods as he can't manage to crunch snails etc. He looks funny though, not having such visible teeth!

Its been a few days since I anaesthetised him, & he has made a full recovery, regarding the anaesthetic & damage to his mouth/lips/fins/abscess/pride! I am still putting in the melafix & will do for a few more days, then do a water change. The abscess still has a little discharge, but nothing much. He loves me again & is always begging for food. BUT, his mouth is still not closing? He is able to eat foods that are soft, or I have to crush snails etc, so that he can manage them. ANY suggestions? I think this may be as good as he gets tho. I have saved about £400-£500 to spend on a whole new set-up for him, so want him as healthy as possible before I start any transition.

He's really trying to crunch up the snails - I can see his little mouth working, but the snails eventually get spat out whole - or the smaller ones just swallowed down. I guess I'll just persevere & crush them a little.

If he has a loose tooth, perhaps closing his mouth on it hurts, so he holds it open?

Crushed snails will still be good food.

Think Nick must be right - although he doesn't exactly exhibit any signs of pain. Will keep going with the snails, crushed a little. Thanks for everyones help. I will keep you posted as to how he does.

well done on getting him to 10 years old!! And well done for working hard to get his teeth sorted.

I'm wondering if his mouth has been stuck open for so long now it may have sort of set... the jaw somehow set together.

If you've got his teeth alot shorter it may just take time for him to be able to use his jaw again, or he may always be stuck...

as long as he can eat there is hope.

Try shell on prawn... he may find it easier to eat and still get a little crunch, but you may have to manually trim his teeth every six months or so if you cant get him crunching tougher foods...

are you going to take him up to brackish... 2 inches after 9/10 years... ? Not great is it, given their adult size is 6+ inches...

think he deserves to be in brackish now, with marine salt, but no more that a small rise per week, 0.002 at most.

He does seem to move his jaw when trying to crunch, just seems to swim around with it open. He is probably more like 3" (having now seen him several times out of the water, but I agree, still small. When I got him, I really had no idea about GSP (just thought he was cute). LFS had him in FW & said he would live for about 5/6yrs. Its only recently that I have started reading up on them. I have been to look at a 4' tank for him today, so if I get it, I MUST get him into BW (PP suggested going full marine). Whatever I do from now, rest assured, that it will be in his best interests. Boy, have I got some reading to do about changing to BW!