figure 8 puffer beak trimming?

Question
QUESTION: I have a fig, 8 puffer named Sinbad. Sinbad hasn't been eating well over the last few weeks and I believe from observation that his beak is hindering his ability to eat. Is it possible for me to trim it? If so, what do I need so I can ensure I won't hurt Sinbad? Thanks!

ANSWER: Dear Tangent,
Generally speaking, less than 35% of puffer fish ( of any kind ) will ever eat, or learn to eat, flaked food. Puffer fish must have a live or frozen diet to stay healthy and active. Offering snails twice a week isn't a bad idea either. Puffer fish have teeth as opposed to ridges or pharnxal(in the throat) teeth and therefore require the snail's shell as a type of aquatic cuttlebone to keep the teeth at the right length. If the fish's teeth get too long, it will hinder it's ability to eat and may lead to starvation. Thanks. Good Luck.
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QUESTION: My question was on how to do it. I know that they have teeth that can grow too long, and I have an appropriate diet for my fish. HOW do you trim the beak?

Answer
Dear Tangent,
Glad you're feeling better able to care for your pufferfish. Trimming pufferfish teeth is not at all difficult. I've done it many times. Start by putting a litre of aquarium water in another container. An old ice cream carton is ideal. Add 2-4 drops of clove oil. Stir well. Catch your pufferfish. Keeping the pufferfish in the net, lower it into the container. After about 30 seconds to a minute it should be sedated. It doesn't need to have completely stopped moving, but does need to be dozy. Now, using wet, bare hands firmly but not forcefully hold the pufferfish. Contrary to Jeni, I recommend AGAINST using the net. The oils on your hand are not toxic to fish and won't harm them; by contrast, coarse netting can do serious damage to fish, and is a common reason for Finrot and Fungus. Anyway, turn the puffer upside down and clip its upper jaw with the cuticle clippers. Then rotate the puffer and clip the lower jaw (if required, often it isn't). Do less rather than more: all you need is to take off the worst of the overbite each time, and it's better to repeat the process on consecutive days as your skill (and confidence!) improves than to do too much at once and end up cutting the skin. Realistically, the job is quite easy, and there isn't much scope for error if the puffer is well sedated. Once you're done, put the fish back into the net, and then carry it across to the aquarium. Hang the net in the outflow to the water current for a minute or so, and Mr Puffer will be buzzing about in now time. The whole process should take a few minutes, max. It's honestly not that big of a deal, but I would recommend a "dry run" first time around, just sedating and then waking up the puffer, skipping the actual cutting. Fish are more durable than we think, and can hold their breath out of water for quite a long time, so you aren't rushed. Handling the fish out of water for 30 seconds is no danger at all. As always when handling animals, be bold and confident, and don't dither! Cheers! Thanks. Good Luck.
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