Puffer dentistry

[MeanGreenStompa]

I'm looking at my Valentini and suspect it may be time to trim his beak. Does anyone have any experience doing this on a fish this small? I feel like I wouldn't be as nervous doing this with a larger fish (and probably wouldn't have gotten to this stage as I'd have been able to feed a larger puffer on shellfish they could break for themselves).

I am especially hesitant about the use of clove oil as all I've known of it was as a means of euthanasia.

Does anyone have experience with this? Any tips or tricks?

 

[Humblefish]

I would personally use MS-222 instead of clove oil: https://pentairaes.com/syncaine-topical-anesthetics-ms-222

Clove oil is fine for euthanasia, but I prefer MS-222 for sedation because there are clear dosing guidelines for that purpose: https://www.fau.edu/research-admin/...or-the-preparation-and-use-of-ms222-final.pdf

 

[Humblefish]

In the past, I've used a Dremel tool to trim a puffer's beak.

This video utilizes a pair of snips to do the job and looks like an easier way to go:

 

[MeanGreenStompa]

Great information, thank you. I'll most certainly use the MS 222 instead of the clove oil, that lessens my concern a great deal. My other hobby is kit models so I have some great small clippers for taking pieces off spruces, I'll grab a new pair of those to do this I think, they come in v sharp and have a v small set of cutting blades.