The Puffer Forum

I have a small spiny puffer that I acquired a week ago. I need to know first if I should concern myself about his/her teeth growing too much. I know some puffers are prone to getting exceptionally large teeth that may require trimming at times depending upon the diet. I am feeding him frozen krill at the moment (not sure what krill is, but I see shrimp in the bag, not sure what else. I tried frozen clam on the half shell today and held it for him/her and I was given an awfully strange look and there was no interest. I let it fall to the ground and my clown trigger ate it, but the puffer just ignored it. First, will I have an issue with teeth on a spiny puffer. Second, what should I feed him/her?

What species exactly? Are you talking about a porcupine puffer or burrfish? Those two types of fish actually have "grinding plates" instead of teeth, and you really don't have to worry about overgrown teeth, but they have those plates because their main diets are crunchy foods.. so its best to feed them proper foods anyways. You shouldn't have to worry about dental work with them though.

However, I'm not sure if that's what you mean by "spiny puffer"!

I believe he/she is a Diodon holocanthus aka "Spiny Puffer". I have attached a picture for identification.

Sorry - I know I'm not being of any help but she is stinkin' adorable!

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Yep, that's a porc with grinding plates instead of teeth

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You can thaw out frozen human RAW shrimp, live nightcrawlers, live snails, etc. Scallops (again, raw, from the people frozen food dept) and things like clams might take a little getting used to.

Dental works for puffers?! what tools are needed for this to be done?

See Dentistry articles in our Library.