My puffer is eating Macro Algae,Normal?

[Josh88]

I added some macro yesterday,
it's supposedly the best food for tangs but since it's nice enough for the display and will work like cheato(removal of nitrates) it's in the tank with my puffer.
I saw him eat some like candy,haven't seen him do it since but was wondering if that is normal for them to pick(he must still be doing it) at algae.
Also I have noticed he patrols the tank looking for food like he is exploring is that normal?
I've had him for awhile but don't know what "normal" behavior is for marine puffers

I know that this is somewhat redundant but I'm going to ask anyways.
For a small(2 inch) marine puffer,how often should I feed?
I should wait until his belly is empty looking then feed him until it's slightly rounded?
I'm trying to get a feeding schedule and properly feed him to keep him healthy.
Should i skip a day every week?

[DRRT]

Yes, it is normal for marine puffers to eat macro algae.

Puffers diets range from invertebrates like clams, mussels, squid, prawns, shrimps, worms, macro algae, and other various invertebrates.

Could you please tell us what kind of puffer you have? That way we can more accurately describe what the behavior of your puffer might be.

[Josh88]

I apologize for leaving that out.
Canthigaster jactator is what my puffer is
Wild caught when he was really young,and was caught by myself.

[DRRT]

The predominant food that they eat is algae, along with tunicates and other small invertebrates. Just make sure you give him a large variety of food. The behavior you described sounds completely normal to me.

As for feeding, there is an excellent thread on overfeeding puffers

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=149

[Josh88]

Cool
I have him on nerite snails,hermit crabs,shrimp and now he bites the macro whenever he wants.
He still after 4 months has no interest in my other fish or my zoanthids.
Kinda weird that he hasn't bothered them.

[DRRT]

Sometimes toby puffers go after them, sometimes they don't. You should consider yourself lucky that you have a guy that doesn't want them. That way you get to enjoy the puffer and the zoas in the same tank.

So do you just go down to the ocean and collect stuff for him?

[Josh88]

Yes I do,I have a license from DLNR so I'm set.(You can get it online)
But you can't take any coral with a skeleton,any rock with life or anything from mlcd reserves.


Sorry but another question.
I see a spot on(more like in his intestines???? Has some depth to it)
his stomach say 1/4 inch in diameter I though that he swallowed a piece of a snail shell but I'm doubting it.
He has a slight lumpness(slight not like the pics I've seen here) that makes me think IP,
I just today gave him a piece of raw garlic(tiny so it won't hurt him) and he ate it quickly.
According to an article from RC garlic is a mild anti internal parasitic.
I've also noticed recently he looks always (not stuffed but like I just fed him)full,maybe I should take out the macro ?
(Haven't seen him it it again but he could be sneaking it.)
Since they are supposed to have a good feeding,lounge around,swim it off,hunt then eat.
I'm tryingto get him perfectly healthy,then I won't have to worry since I will only be adding one more fish that will be in QT.

[DRRT]

That cool about the license, i wouldn'ta said anything

Hmmm, I'm not sure about the spot. Do you think you could post some pics? Parasitic nematodes are sometimes found infecting C. jactator here, so I'm not sure if there is a specific medicine that will get rid of those for you.

PP? someone, anyone else know?

[DRRT]

BUMP

[Corvus]

Picture possible?
Sounds like possible nematodes to me, too.

[Josh88]

I will get a video up tomorrow,hopefully I can treat this condition before it effect's his health.

[LilGreenPuffer]

If you get things from the ocean routinely, then parasites seem like a real possibility. You quarantine, right?

[Josh88]

http://www.motionbox.com/videos/3096d1b41d11edc5be
I apologize for my crappy filming ability,(watch all of it,some of the frames show his stomach clearly)
and the last few seconds were taken to ID an anemone(do you know what it is?)

LilGreenPuffer,I don't take fish regularly,
for the 5 month I've had him it's been him and a blenny.
I will be adding more fish sometime,but I will utilize a QT tank.
I recently,3 days ago I did add a tiny damsel I caught from a tidepool,
it's a risk that I will not take again.

[LilGreenPuffer]

We can't see the video unless we're members.

The damsel could well have parasites. Was it QT'd?

[Josh88]

I did not QT him,My sister came home with him and stupidly put it in the tank.
But he did have this spot 2 weeks before introducing the damsel.
This is no excuse for irresposibely introducing the damsel without QTing him,
I shoudl ahve and will QT all my future fish.
Anyways I've just fixed the video sorry about the inconvience.