justahobby
Thu, 5th May 2011, 02:10 AM
Hello. I'd like to start highlighting some of the responsibilities we, as reef keepers, have to maintaining healthy, happy marine inhabitants. I'll be touching on ethical issues like fish and coral that are more suitable for aquarium life, as well as which ones should not be kept in the aquarium. Also, the status of our reefs, proper aquarium husbandry, and many sub points. The goal is for us to gain useful knowledge that propels us into a higher standard of reef keeping. Hopefully, we will all learn new things and also reiterate and reemphasize key points that are sometimes over looked.
For my first thread I would like to start w/ Dentistry and Your Fish:
Tetraodontiform Fishes (http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/589078/tetraodontiform) (Puffers, File fish, Triggers, and porcupines) are common pets for marine aquarists. They are a striking group of fish that come in a variety of colors, shapes, and personalities. However, each of these fishes have at least one thing in common: Their teeth may out grow their mouths, especially Puffer fish, and risk starving to death if not properly cared for while in our custody.. Wrasses are also susceptible to similar fate.
Fortunately, this can be avoided by offering a proper diet and environment. In the wild, fish use their sharp teeth or bills to crush through crab and lobster shells, clams, or fish bones on a daily basis. They are not afforded the same opportunities if we are only feeding mysis, squid, flakes, and or pellets. With a little extra effort we can correct this dilemma.
Finding an LFS that carries live lobsters, crabs, and clams meant as feeders can be problematic. However, we have other options. Saltwater hermits and snails are relatively cheap and offer good sources of nutrition. For larger fish you might offer crayfish. I've fed crayfish to triggers and eels. Trust me.....it's dinner and a show :thumbs_up: Also, look for raw (not frozen) shrimp that still have the shell. Crab legs work too, but you should probably invite me over to help eat supervise. Now, not all of these fish are monster carnivorous. Let's say you have a file fish. Lathering a dead coral skeleton with a food paste would provide a great simulation to the way they graze in nature.
I started with prevention since we usually purchase our fish in their juvenile and teenage stage. When purchasing an adult it is still important to pay attention to their teeth. Especially if you are purchasing one that is not a recent wildcaught specimen. Look for signs like it's not eating well or appearing to smile at you like Gary Busey :bigsmile::bigsmile:
As previously state, Puffer fish are more prone to overgrown teeth. Should your fish have trouble eating because it's bill has outgrown it's mouth, It may be necessary to file their bill down.
Things you'll need:
2 buckets
Dremel (or wire cutters)
Clove oil
Camera (because you know we'll never believe you did it without proof)
************Disclaimer: Clove oil is a sedative at low doses. If you over dose it will kill your fish. Please do your own research and understand the risks before attempting. The directions below are meant to be a generic guide. I repeat, do your own research and be fully aware of the risks before attempting this at home. I, and anyone else, am NOT responsible if you kill your fish************
Take an appropriately sized container and rinse it in tap water thoroughly to ensure no soap residue. Fill it with aquarium water. Amount will vary per size of the puffer, but around 4 drops of clove oil per liter of water is the maximum you want to use. For weak or smaller fish a smaller dose will be necessary.
It shouldn't take long for you puffer to go to dreamland. Once it does, have someone hold the fish steady while you file down the bill. A dremel may be too much for smaller fish so wire cutters might work better.
Your second container will have fresh tank water for you to dip and wake your fish up when you are finished.
Do not dose your aquarium w/ clove oil. Research shows it can kill coral.
For more on this method and others please see this article:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_2/cav2i1/puffer_dentistry/puffer2.htm
Other articles on the topic of this thread:
http://www.suite101.com/content/taking-care-of-puffer-fish-teeth-a86016
http://www.ehow.com/how_5153607_trim-puffer-fish-teeth.html
Possible next topic: Clove oil - Sedation and Euthanasia. Let's see how much interest there is in it first.
For my first thread I would like to start w/ Dentistry and Your Fish:
Tetraodontiform Fishes (http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/589078/tetraodontiform) (Puffers, File fish, Triggers, and porcupines) are common pets for marine aquarists. They are a striking group of fish that come in a variety of colors, shapes, and personalities. However, each of these fishes have at least one thing in common: Their teeth may out grow their mouths, especially Puffer fish, and risk starving to death if not properly cared for while in our custody.. Wrasses are also susceptible to similar fate.
Fortunately, this can be avoided by offering a proper diet and environment. In the wild, fish use their sharp teeth or bills to crush through crab and lobster shells, clams, or fish bones on a daily basis. They are not afforded the same opportunities if we are only feeding mysis, squid, flakes, and or pellets. With a little extra effort we can correct this dilemma.
Finding an LFS that carries live lobsters, crabs, and clams meant as feeders can be problematic. However, we have other options. Saltwater hermits and snails are relatively cheap and offer good sources of nutrition. For larger fish you might offer crayfish. I've fed crayfish to triggers and eels. Trust me.....it's dinner and a show :thumbs_up: Also, look for raw (not frozen) shrimp that still have the shell. Crab legs work too, but you should probably invite me over to help eat supervise. Now, not all of these fish are monster carnivorous. Let's say you have a file fish. Lathering a dead coral skeleton with a food paste would provide a great simulation to the way they graze in nature.
I started with prevention since we usually purchase our fish in their juvenile and teenage stage. When purchasing an adult it is still important to pay attention to their teeth. Especially if you are purchasing one that is not a recent wildcaught specimen. Look for signs like it's not eating well or appearing to smile at you like Gary Busey :bigsmile::bigsmile:
As previously state, Puffer fish are more prone to overgrown teeth. Should your fish have trouble eating because it's bill has outgrown it's mouth, It may be necessary to file their bill down.
Things you'll need:
2 buckets
Dremel (or wire cutters)
Clove oil
Camera (because you know we'll never believe you did it without proof)
************Disclaimer: Clove oil is a sedative at low doses. If you over dose it will kill your fish. Please do your own research and understand the risks before attempting. The directions below are meant to be a generic guide. I repeat, do your own research and be fully aware of the risks before attempting this at home. I, and anyone else, am NOT responsible if you kill your fish************
Take an appropriately sized container and rinse it in tap water thoroughly to ensure no soap residue. Fill it with aquarium water. Amount will vary per size of the puffer, but around 4 drops of clove oil per liter of water is the maximum you want to use. For weak or smaller fish a smaller dose will be necessary.
It shouldn't take long for you puffer to go to dreamland. Once it does, have someone hold the fish steady while you file down the bill. A dremel may be too much for smaller fish so wire cutters might work better.
Your second container will have fresh tank water for you to dip and wake your fish up when you are finished.
Do not dose your aquarium w/ clove oil. Research shows it can kill coral.
For more on this method and others please see this article:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_2/cav2i1/puffer_dentistry/puffer2.htm
Other articles on the topic of this thread:
http://www.suite101.com/content/taking-care-of-puffer-fish-teeth-a86016
http://www.ehow.com/how_5153607_trim-puffer-fish-teeth.html
Possible next topic: Clove oil - Sedation and Euthanasia. Let's see how much interest there is in it first.