The Puffer Forum

I have two different size SAP's that need their teeth trimmed. I have searched the forum and read all I could find.

The range I have found is 50mg to 85mg per gallon. Does anyone who has done this before know what the best and safest dose would be? Also I have a 1" and a 2.5" fish should the dose be lower for the smaller one? I don't have one of the spoons from a salifert test kit, I have read a lot of people here use those.

Does it help to know that it takes 5 of those lil Salifert spoons to make 1/4 tsp?

diver wrote:I have two different size SAP's that need their teeth trimmed. I have searched the forum and read all I could find.

The range I have found is 50mg to 85mg per gallon. Does anyone who has done this before know what the best and safest dose would be? Also I have a 1" and a 2.5" fish should the dose be lower for the smaller one? I don't have one of the spoons from a salifert test kit, I have read a lot of people here use those.

The dose is 30-50mg per litre. This works out at 0.03grams - 0.05grams per lit. Yep, its a tiny tiny amount to measure out! I think there is a fairly high margin for error though.

Yeah, a small pinch should do it.

Thanks for the info.

So a liter would be around 4.25 cups of water with 0.03grams - 0.05grams right?

Sounds about right. I had some very accurate scales when I used it, but resorted to just flicking a bit more of the powder in as required! Not very scientific I know - more of an art, I think!

Well, I used .04grams and the bigger puffer did not become completely sedated but was enough to turn him over and clip his teeth. But the smaller one stayed way to active and when I tried to flip him over he would just turn right back over. I left him in for 15mins, and then moved him to the recovery container. I didn't want to add more and risk it.

So I was just looking for input on how much would be safe for a 1inch puffer?

I don't think anyone could say how much would be "safe" for any sized fish. I would start at the advised dose & just add a tiny bit more until the desired level of sedation is achieved.