Missing front teeth.

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Since this board has been up, we have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help right away (if we can!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.

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We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.

While you wait for assistance:
One of the easiest and best ways to help your fish feel better is clean water! If you are already on a regular water change schedule (50% weekly is recommended) a good step to making your fish more comfortable while waiting for diagnosis/suggestions is to do a large water change immediately. Feel free to repeat daily or as often as you can, clean water is always a good thing! Use of Amquel or Prime as a dechlor may help with any ammonia or nitrite issues, and is highly recommended.

Note - if you do not normally do large water changes, doing a sudden, large water change could shock your fish by suddenly changing their established water chemistry. Clean water is still your first goal, so in this case, do several smaller (10%) water changes over the next day or two before starting any large ones.
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speedjester
Puffer Fry
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2022 8:59 am
Location (country): Florida US

Missing front teeth.

Post by speedjester »

I need some guidance from experienced puffer keepers. I’ve been keeping reef aquarium for several yrs. But always kept to tangs , angels and such. This is my first Puffer. I recently picked up a 4” DFP from a LFS. He’s in quarantine as we speak. I noticed he is missing his front teeth. Or should I say his front teeth are ground down to nubs. Leaving a gap when he closes his mouth. He’s having a hard time biting and holding on to food. He is somewhat thin.

The question will his front teeth grow back?
How long will it take?
Are the front teeth separate from his molars or is it just one beak/tooth?
What can I feed to fatten up.

Thanks in advance.
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Pufferpunk
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Re: Missing front teeth.

Post by Pufferpunk »

There are 2 teeth that form the "beak". Can you post a pic?
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
speedjester
Puffer Fry
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2022 8:59 am
Location (country): Florida US

Re: Missing front teeth.

Post by speedjester »

FB517D53-E359-4D4C-9912-F3D339F5D49A.jpeg


Best I can do
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Pufferpunk
Queen Admin
Posts: 32755
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Filbert, the 12" T lineatus
Punkster, the 4" red T miurus
Mongo, the 4" A modestus
2 T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
Also kept:
lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles
Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Re: Missing front teeth.

Post by Pufferpunk »

Sorry, been out of town for the weekend with no service.
Considering he grew to that size & is not emaciated, he must be eating something.
Is this how you purchased him?
Are his teeth missing or broken?
Will he eat soft foods?
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
speedjester
Puffer Fry
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2022 8:59 am
Location (country): Florida US

Re: Missing front teeth.

Post by speedjester »

The way I purchased him. He was special ordered I asked that he not be put into there system. So really didn’t take a good look at him until after I put him in quarantine. His teeth appear to just be worn down. He is eating but it sure is difficult for him.
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Pufferpunk
Queen Admin
Posts: 32755
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Filbert, the 12" T lineatus
Punkster, the 4" red T miurus
Mongo, the 4" A modestus
2 T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
Also kept:
lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles
Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Re: Missing front teeth.

Post by Pufferpunk »

I have seen a lot of DF with overgrown teeth. I think they may have broken off or possibly trimmed while at the supplier. Keep trying different foods. I'd keep him alone, so there is no competition for food.
library/feeding/feeding-your-puffers/
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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