Feeding L-18

[ecal468]

About two weeks ago I picked up a 4"-5" L-18. I checked out his stomach before I purchased to ensure that he was eating. The owner said they were feeding on flakes once they had sunk to the bottom.

I have been throwing in some sinking shrimp pellets and algae wafers. Knowing that isn't sufficient I put a slice of zucchini rubber banded to a rock in last night. I expected it to be destroyed this morning, but to my surprise is was untouched! Does it usually take a few tries for them to eat it?

Thanks.

 

[davo]

Every one is an individual and some feed on foods others wouldn't touch. These are the deeper water awfuchs eaters, mainly finding crustaceans and small protein bits to feed, as well as some veg. matter amongst and on the biofilm. Therefore mainly protein food and some veg. suits this pleco more, of course quite frequent feedings. I did well with a pea paste on some rock when it came to veggies, amongst other things.

 

[ecal468]

So, should I try some lettuce also?

As far as the protein, are the shrimp pellets alright? There is also some leftover food on the bottom that is gone in the morning from the other fish too.

 

[davo]

I prefer to feed things as well as pellet foods, if i feed pellet foods at all. Check the dietry thread, there are a lot of different food suggestions there, with links to pages of what is most popular. Lettuce wise... don't bother with iceburg, not worth it, it's mainly water.

 

[ecal468]

Thanks, I'll check it out.