bogwood/driftwood for starving pleco

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
2songbirds

2songbirds

Gambusia
MFK Member
Jan 31, 2009
473
13
18
PA
Hi, I have a large 8-10inch common pleco in my 125g. I got him 2 wks ago today. I'm noticing that he sticks on the glass alot, altho there's not much algae on it. I've tried putting wafers, shrimp pellets, sinking algae tablets down where he hangs out, but he doesn't go after it. I even tried handfeeding it too him! (he's very calm). Today I noticed he's getting paler, and I know from my past experiences this isn't good.

My Q is that I read the sticky on feeding plecos and it mentioned giving him bogwood or driftwood.....I've been looking at my local petshops, but can't find any.

Is there a website I can order it? I did a quick search, but then gave up

Sorry for this sounding dumb....I"ve actually been taking care of fish tanks for 16 years....and I want to save him!! I read on putting egg whites on a rock, mixed with flake food or whichever, letting it dry then putting it back in the tank. I'm also going to try feeding him veggies (never knew I was supposed too)

Thanks for any input
 
Even if you dont have driftwood make sure he has some places shaded to hide using decorations,rocks, ect. Try feeding at night when the lights are out. Was this tank already established? Parameters OK? If you try veggies leave them in overnight. Also it can take a couple times for them to realize the veggies are food.
 
yes, the tanks well established. We haven't broken it down for 4 1/2 yrs. Last month I gave away our 2 10" Pacus, put the flowerhorn cichlid in a 54g corner bow, and got little sharks.

There's algae on the other side of the tank, but he's dead set on the wrong corner. I just tried handfeeding him lettuce soaked in garlic, and I cut up some zucchini. I put the stuff right against his mouth, but wouldn't take it. So, I dropped it in his little corner.

There's plenty of caves and such...also a bunch of live plants too. When I first brought him home, him and my 10" ashara catfish paired up together, really cute. But, now they just ignore each other.

I read that plecos should have some kind of wood to munch on.... I just hate to see him starve himself to death. I should just get little plecos for now on, so I know what their diet is like instead of guessing
 
I cannot say for sure but I do not think the lack of driftwood for a couple weeks is the problem. But then again I cannot say what is. I would'nt risk possibly stressing it out any more by trying to feed him during the day. If it will eat the chances are it will be at night with the lights off.
 
k, thanks. I will try more tonight after work

thanks again!
 
I'm gonna stop tonight after work and get him some munchies....so, cukes, peas, and stuff??
 
So, my cukes don't want to stay down. I plant them where the pleco stays, then they float up, then replant themselves somewhere else. I dropped in a few algae tablets in his spot, then shut off the lights. Earlier on tho I did see him searching for food, and actually nibbled on some leftover food pieces from another fish. His belly isn't sunken in, just turning splotchy. I'm really trying with this one...
 
Spoons also work but use the handle. I just leave the cucumber to float as the adult mystery snails weigh them down and the plecos then shove them aside to get their fair share.:ROFL: :ROFL:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom