The Puffer Forum

So me and my buddy bagel bite have been together for a little over 3 weeks and im starting to get concerned about his jaw. Hes about an inch and a half now, and when i got him he was a little over a half inch. In the photos I attached you should be able to see his “happy” little smile. When I first had him shipped in, I figured and read that it was probably him pulling his face taught out of stress, ammonia burn from shipping, or fatiguing himself from attacking the bag. That put my mind to rest for a while but he hasn’t seemed to “relax” his face so im thinking thats not it. Its almost like his lower lip or jaw is jutted out and hit teeth rest further in, i was thinking it might be overgrown teeth but he’s probably only a couple of months old. He’s also had trouble eating tiny whole bladder snails from the start which I figured was due to his small size/teeth and I’ve crushed medium sized ones for him myself but now I’m thinking otherwise. Anyways he’s had a pretty ferocious appetite so i don’t think he’s hurting in anyway just struggling or can’t figure it out maybe? Thinking it might be a genetic deformity? Hoping it might just be stress or overgrown lower palate. Scared it might be a broken/dislocated jaw. Idk anyone know something? Or maybe this is how they’re supposed to look and I’m just crazy hahaha. Also if anyones ever experienced caring for a puffer with potential special needs/extra quality of life needs?

(In a quarantine tank for the meantime so I can keep an eye on him, regular weekly water changes in a 5.5 gallon)

If he can eat at all, it's probably not broken. Can he eat the crushed snails? You may have to feed him differently if his teeth don't meet, which means future dentistry. It could be a birth defect & it's just showing now, because he's in a healthier environment & growing. Time will tell...