Dwarf Puffer Question

[BigC]

Hi all,
I am about to aquire a Dwarf Puffer for a character fish in a living room species tank. I have been keeping fish for a very long time but I've never kept puffers.
I have a query about keeping their teeth ground down and the use of snails or their shell to do this. I would not be able to keep or raise my own snail colony so are there any alternatives to this. (Is this part and parcel of puffer maintenance) I was thinking along the lines of Cuttlefish Bone (the type sold to bird keepers). Please advise, am I barking up the wrong tree, If so I admit my ignorance on this particular topic. Any help in the pros and cons of keeping dwarf puffers would be greatly appreciated. Please only advise using your own personal experience/s.
Many thanks
BigC

 

[neilw_uk]

Hi,

I have 2 dwarf puffers and like you had the same question..

From what i have read the dwarf puffers beaks dont grow that much and as long as you have a few snails in there you should have no problems... Someone correct me if i am wrong!

Its worth checking http/ dwarfpuffers. com/ (take out the spaces and paste into your browser.. why they block you from posting links is mad... why have a URL link on the forum!!!) there is a forum there dedicated to this species!

 

[BigC]

Thanks Neil, for your comments....
I was wondering if anyone could also say if it's right or wrong to use Cuttlefish Bone.

 

[Erised]

Dwarf puffers will completely ignore the cuttlefish bone. The only reason why snails work is because they're seen as food, and they will crush up the shell (taken the snail is small enough) in the process of getting the snail out. A mere bone will not provide any food for them, and thus will be ignored.

Snails are pretty much a must when it comes to keeping their teeth down, but dwarf puffers tend to be alright. If you'd be able to nip down to the lfs once a month to see if they have 2 or 3 pest snails (which most do) you should be alright =)

 

[BigC]

If you'd be able to nip down to the lfs once a month to see if they have 2 or 3 pest snails (which most do) you should be alright =)

Excellent suggestion
Thanks Erised
Regards
BigC