Crash course in Pleco care needed
- Thread starter CHOMPERS
- Start date
Big plecs like that will pretty much eat ANYTHING - thats how they got that big. 
But like the guys say, start them out on chunks of vege. Cucumber, zuchini, squash, mushroom. blanched sweet potato or green beans, frozen peas etc. Experiment and find out what they like best and give them a variety. Cucumber is fine as part of their diet, but it's a bit much to expect them to live on just cucumbers
They will probably like a bit of higher protien food as an occasional treat as well. Whole prawns or larger carnivore pellets. But make the majority of their food veges.
Cheers
Ian
If you can get a picture of one with it's dorsal fin up it will make them easier to ID. It will be one of the 'Common Plec' species, but there are several that look very similar.
But like the guys say, start them out on chunks of vege. Cucumber, zuchini, squash, mushroom. blanched sweet potato or green beans, frozen peas etc. Experiment and find out what they like best and give them a variety. Cucumber is fine as part of their diet, but it's a bit much to expect them to live on just cucumbers
They will probably like a bit of higher protien food as an occasional treat as well. Whole prawns or larger carnivore pellets. But make the majority of their food veges.
Cheers
Ian
If you can get a picture of one with it's dorsal fin up it will make them easier to ID. It will be one of the 'Common Plec' species, but there are several that look very similar.
I didn't mean only give them cucumber. I only meant it like try cucumber, they always take it and easy to get your hands on. But they eat about anyting is a vegetable. If you feed them things like spinach, blance it first. I don't know if it also counts for commons, but some species of plecs need wood in dieet. If this also counts for commons you should give them some bogwood. I need to put new bogwood in al my tanks every year, cause the bristlenoses eat it.
Here's some pics of the fins. They wouldn't keep their dorsals up long enough for me to get good pics, so I had to reach in 
They don't seem to mind being handled. This first guy would raise his tail really nice for me. Either he is a camera hog or he is about to bolt 
They don't seem to mind being handled. This first guy would raise his tail really nice for me. Either he is a camera hog or he is about to bolt 
I'm going to guess Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=703
It's definately a Pterygoplichthys species, the 12 or so spines in the dorsal fin gives that away.
The roughed up fins should heal amazing quick now it's out of the rough and tumble of the lake, unless they start fighting amounst themselves of course
They are pretty impressive (Monster)plecos anyway
Cheers
Ian
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=703
It's definately a Pterygoplichthys species, the 12 or so spines in the dorsal fin gives that away.
The roughed up fins should heal amazing quick now it's out of the rough and tumble of the lake, unless they start fighting amounst themselves of course
They are pretty impressive (Monster)plecos anyway
Cheers
Ian
Cucumber is taken well, but nutritionally has very few benefits. Especially in large pterygoplichthys species, protein is more important. Blanching veggies is another no no, as it will leach many of the nutrients out.Ianab;1381240;1381240 said:Big plecs like that will pretty much eat ANYTHING - thats how they got that big.
But like the guys say, start them out on chunks of vege. Cucumber, zuchini, squash, mushroom. blanched sweet potato or green beans, frozen peas etc. Experiment and find out what they like best and give them a variety. Cucumber is fine as part of their diet, but it's a bit much to expect them to live on just cucumbers
They will probably like a bit of higher protien food as an occasional treat as well. Whole prawns or larger carnivore pellets. But make the majority of their food veges.
Cheers
Ian
If you can get a picture of one with it's dorsal fin up it will make them easier to ID. It will be one of the 'Common Plec' species, but there are several that look very similar.
Blanching veggies is not needed, and will leach the vitamins out of the veggies themselves. I don't blanch any of my fruits or veggies. Wood is not required for Pterygoplichthys/liposarcus species, only panaques. Several species benefit from having it present though.Frommel;1381370;1381370 said:
