overgrown gsp beak

[sigaru]

hey guys, i need help. one of my little GSP's beak is overgrown. i feed and have been feeding them lots of snails [not their only food], and even more so lately, but this one doesn't bite the shells, he just sucks the snails out as they fall down to the bottom. he's a tiny little guy [maybe around an inch long, including his tail], so i don't really know what my options would be as far as fixing it. is there anything anyone can recommend?
thanks in advance,
jess

 

[mamapuff]

Try some ghost shrimp. My old Humpback didn't really chew either, but he wouldn't eat frozen, so my only option was ghost shrimp. If he would eat krill, you could try that since its got a shell and he'll have to chew.

 

[sigaru]

Try some ghost shrimp. My old Humpback didn't really chew either, but he wouldn't eat frozen, so my only option was ghost shrimp. If he would eat krill, you could try that since its got a shell and he'll have to chew.

:] thanks! i was planning on getting some ghost shrimp for them anyway, as soon as i can find some [none of my LFSs have any right now..]. hopefully they'll be able to catch them this time, lol [i had some in there before]. i was also thinking about sea monkeys as well. that's krill, right? [sorry, don't know much about the little shrimps]

 

[mamapuff]

:] thanks! i was planning on getting some ghost shrimp for them anyway, as soon as i can find some [none of my LFSs have any right now..]. hopefully they'll be able to catch them this time, lol [i had some in there before]. i was also thinking about sea monkeys as well. that's krill, right? [sorry, don't know much about the little shrimps]

Never be sorry! You should see some of the questions I ask on a saltwater forum lol. I'm new to that part of the fishkeeping world. I wouldn't add the Sea Monkeys, as they are just so small, and not hard, so it won't help wear down the beak.
These are Sea Monkeys, or Brine Shrimp:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+2190+2792&pcatid=2792

These are krill:
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/krill/

You can find the krill either freeze dried or frozen, not sure about fresh. But personally I would use the frozen.

 

[sigaru]

Never be sorry! You should see some of the questions I ask on a saltwater forum lol. I'm new to that part of the fishkeeping world. I wouldn't add the Sea Monkeys, as they are just so small, and not hard, so it won't help wear down the beak.
These are Sea Monkeys, or Brine Shrimp:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+2190+2792&pcatid=2792

These are krill:
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/krill/

You can find the krill either freeze dried or frozen, not sure about fresh. But personally I would use the frozen.

oh okay. lol. thanks. i don't have much experience with krill other than knowing that it's what baleen whales eat, lol. i'll pick some frozen ones up tomorrow :]

 

[purplecandle]

are you sure his beak is overgrown? Do you have pictures?

As far as krill goes, most puffers I have seen will not really eat the baby ones so you have to get the bigger ones..but krill should only be a treat because they will cause lock jaw if they are feed to often or exclusively..

Some cheaper options are

uncooked shell on shrimp
uncooked mussels in their shell..open the shell up and the puff will scratch thier teeth while getting the meat...

BUT, all of this said. Crunchy foods keep a beak in ground down, but if teeth are already over grown they will not help, then you have to trim their "teeth"

http://www.**************.com/forum/library/hospital/dentistry/

 

[sigaru]

are you sure his beak is overgrown? Do you have pictures?

As far as krill goes, most puffers I have seen will not really eat the baby ones so you have to get the bigger ones..but krill should only be a treat because they will cause lock jaw if they are feed to often or exclusively..

Some cheaper options are

uncooked shell on shrimp
uncooked mussels in their shell..open the shell up and the puff will scratch thier teeth while getting the meat...

BUT, all of this said. Crunchy foods keep a beak in ground down, but if teeth are already over grown they will not help, then you have to trim their "teeth"

http://www.**************.com/forum/library/hospital/dentistry/

yes, it's overgrown. my other puffer's beak cannot be seen at all, and this one could not be seen before either. now it is taking up half of his open mouth, and i can see the little split between the teeth. my fiance' has actually taken to calling him "gappy" since it became visible. and thanks, i'll take a look at that link. i just hope it's something i can do, because they are very tiny babies still.

 

[NatashaAliza]

I know some people put them to sleep with clove oil and cut their teeth with cuticle cutters... But I'd wait for someone who's actually done it before for the proper info.

 

[purplecandle]

Clove oil works but may lead to brain damage

either do it by hand or try something like MS-222 (I think that is what it is called LOL)

If they are sticking out that much, I think you could do it by hand...get the fish in the net, keep him underwater (holding him in the net) get some fingernail clippers and a quick snip ...not as easy as it sounds LOL

 

[sigaru]

Clove oil works but may lead to brain damage

either do it by hand or try something like MS-222 (I think that is what it is called LOL)

If they are sticking out that much, I think you could do it by hand...get the fish in the net, keep him underwater (holding him in the net) get some fingernail clippers and a quick snip ...not as easy as it sounds LOL

lol, it doesn't /sound/ easy either, not to me. :] i'm gonna be way nervous. it's not overgrown so much that he can't eat, so right now there may still be room for prevention. i'm gonna get some krill and mussels and try feeding him some and see if it helps to wear them down. if i don't see any improvement after a couple days i'll find some of the 222 stuff [it was mentioned in the link that you posted] and do that. thanks for the info :]