What is the safest sedator solution to be used for puffer fish

[professorjimjam]

I have Congo spotted puffers and I have them since two years. They are full grown and now their teeth became too long which it causes obstruction to eat. I learned that clove oil has side effects but m222 doesn’t have side effects. I tried to trim their teeth without sedation but they puff up and it makes it impossible to operate without sedation.
I would appreciate your help sharing your experience on what medicine should I use to sedate them for trimming their teeth.
Thanks

 

[tlindsey]

I have Congo spotted puffers and I have them since two years. They are full grown and now their teeth became too long which it causes obstruction to eat. I learned that clove oil has side effects but m222 doesn’t have side effects. I tried to trim their teeth without sedation but they puff up and it makes it impossible to operate without sedation.
I would appreciate your help sharing your experience on what medicine should I use to sedate them for trimming their teeth.
Thanks

Deadeye

 

[Deadeye]

Ms-222 is going to be the best option, but that is unfortunately not easily available for everyday hobbyists.
It would take a lot of practice to do it without sedation - but not impossible. When I did my amazons, one of them wasn’t fully sedate and wound up waking up mid trim anyway. It was still calm enough to allow me to trim teeth though.
Realistically, clove oil is the easiest and most available option. There is a risk of side effects, but this can be somewhat mitigated by minimizing how long they are sedated (just like in any procedure) and getting them into well aerated water before moving back to the display.
Something I posted a while back:

Is clove oil dangerous over time?

Hello, As the title states, does clove oil have dangerous long term effects on fish? I’ve been reading more about puffer teeth clipping and this seems to be a recurring theme. Seems to be that is caused neurological damage due to oxygen deprivation. Is this all wildly overblown or do I risk...

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

 

[professorjimjam]

Thank you very much Deadeye.when I used to have amazons I was doing it without sedation as they were not puffing up , but Congo puffers they puff up and it makes it very difficult.