porky puffer's teeth

[pleasants9]

I always hear about how puffer have their large teeth that need to be kept worn down. Well I have a porcupine puffer that is doing very well. I feed him mysis, the occasional live shrimp, and mussels on the half shell. But I noticed that Ive never really seen his teeth when i watch him eat the feeder shrimp its almost like he's "gumming" them instead of crunching them. does the porcupine puffer have small teeth then others like the dogface puffer?

 

[prime311]

Its good if you're not seeing them. Porc Puffers teeth can grow too long just like other puffers.

 

[srfisher17]

A piece of cuttlebone, the plain type for cage birds, is a great chew toy & tooth trimmer for puffers. Just wedge a piece in somewhere. Its a natural marine product too.

 

[sepulatian]

They definitely need something to chew on. Always provide something.

 

[pleasants9]

Whenever I feed him the mussels on half shell he likes to chew on the shell sometimes, so I guess thats whats keeping them worn down. I cant see the shrimp shells doing much to wear them down

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by pleasants9
http:///forum/post/2880491
Whenever I feed him the mussels on half shell he likes to chew on the shell sometimes, so I guess thats whats keeping them worn down. I cant see the shrimp shells doing much to wear them down
You're not going to see anything. Keeping teeth trimmed is on ongoing process; they need the chew stuff regularly, not just when their teeth get too big. Shrimp shells; over time, not overnight, work great.