The Puffer Forum

As I've been off the forum for a while, I was wondering what the currently accepted best practice for teeth trimming is?

My GSP -- now about 5 years old and in a FOWLR marine tank, is in fairly dire need of teeth trimming.

The previously accepted method was to use a small amount of clove oil and cuticle trimmers. However, I remember reading of several people losing their puffers, having them not wake up from anaesthesia.

Maybe I should have 2 containers with clove oil -- one with 1 drop, and one with 2. and move him progressively?

Any advice much appreciated.

I believe the denitistry article has been updated, listing Finquel/MS222 as a more safe & reliable tranq for this procedure. That's all I use now.

Thanks PP.

I'll have to pick up some next time I'm back in the West -- unfortunately I can't track down MS-222 here. I'm fairly confident in getting clove oil, but it's still a bit hit and miss as I'm not sure of the translation into Chinese.

I think I'll prepare 2 or 3 tranquiliser containers -- one with 1 drop, one with 2 drops... and move him proressively until he becomes anaesthetised.

Gonna be nail-biting

The puffer in question has had a super-thin tummy for a while now. Seems to be active, but can't swallow. His teeth are fairly big (not tusks or anything), but they seem to be locked/fused.

Wish me luck!

LUCK!

I don't care how many times I do the procedure, my heart stops until the fish is up & swimming again!

Hi,

Ive just picked up some MS-222 online in the UK to undertake the first teeth trimming of my two SAP's.

I have read the library article and although nervous I'm confident how to do the trimming, what I am unclear on is what amount of the solution I should ad to the bowl in order to safely put them under, also would you recommend doing them one at a time?

Many Thanks

Please post that online link for everyone else in the UK! Unfortunately, PetP is in China (although I think he's moved). I have Salifert test kits that come with a tiny blue spoon & I use 1 scoop/2-3 cups of water.

i found this site who are selling the drug

http://www.pharmaq.co.uk/shop/erol.html ... oQ#483X532

Hi,

The link is the same as in the post above - Pharmaq

I also got a blue spoon, it's says the measurment to full is 2.5ml is this the same as yours?

Also what size cups are you using, or better still how many ml would you say 2-3 cups is?

I think it must now be available without a prescription, which is good news. Possibly changed from POM-V (need a prescription) to POM -VPS, which means you can get it from a vet, the pharmacy or a suitably qualified person - as long as they are satisfied with the reasons you are using it & that you are capable of using it properly.
The dose rate for tropical fish is 30-50mg/lit. So, the lowest dose is 0.03g/lit & the highest is 0.05g/lit. I said before that it is a tiny amount! Obviously you could start with a larger volume of water, but the amount is still tiny & difficult to measure. You can buy scales that will measure such tiny amounts - I have them where I work.

bigfatfish wrote:I think it must now be available without a prescription, which is good news. Possibly changed from POM-V (need a prescription) to POM -VPS, which means you can get it from a vet, the pharmacy or a suitably qualified person - as long as they are satisfied with the reasons you are using it & that you are capable of using it properly.
The dose rate for tropical fish is 30-50mg/lit. So, the lowest dose is 0.03g/lit & the highest is 0.05g/lit. I said before that it is a tiny amount! Obviously you could start with a larger volume of water, but the amount is still tiny & difficult to measure. You can buy scales that will measure such tiny amounts - I have them where I work.

Or if you know a friendly, local drug dealer?!..

In the U.S., Mexico and Canada you can order MS-222 directly from Argent Labs. Their website says they're the only manufacturer of it in the U.S., and I've found their price to be cheaper than everyone else as well. I dunno if they'll ship outside the Americas, but isn't that what internet friends are for?

-Rob

You are welcome to do all your conversions here:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/calc.php

I'm not exactly sure how many gms are in the lil blue spoon but I believe it takes 5 of them to make 1/4 tsp. Sorry if I'm not much help...