So i decided i think my little 2'' pleco i have to keep my tank algae free might not be getting enough to eat. I have read that they like to eat vegetables such as zucchini and cucumbers. I plan to get him some of that, but my question is is it bad to just leave some sitting at the bottom? I know it's not good to leave other food that isnt eaten such as worms and what not due to the breakdown of organic material, but will cucumber and zucchini be harmful to the water if left sitting in there for a couple days? I Plan to stick some on a paperclip and just stick it into the rocks at the bottom and let it sit till he eats it all, but please let me know if this is a bad idea or if you have any other suggestions of how to best go about this process. Also, I have a 10 gallon tank so small deviations in the water are more dangerous to the fishes health. Thanks
Feeding my Pleco vegetables
- Thread starter ScottAlan
- Start date
i usually slice the cucumber into two by long ... my pleco and my botia loves it ... they just eat the middle part that has seeds in it ... i left it once for 2 days and it made the water cloudy ... so it is better not to leave it for long time ... 12 houres or so is enough like twice a week ... it is considered as diet and healthy food for pleco and loaches
You are correct sir!
Cucumber has no nutritional value to fish, It is just basicly water. Id stick to zuccini and yellow squash s a staple diet, but try all kinds of veggies and figure out what your little fella likes best!
I stick the end of some zucchini on a fork and toss it in. Mine won't eat cucumber at all (except my L204 and only the skin) , but zucchini gets demolished, which works out well. I usually leave mine in the tank for a night and the next day.
Spinach is also good. I rubber band a few leaves of it or a few thin slices of zucchini or squash to a rock and it's gone by morning. My non plecos also love it, especially the Severums.
i put the cucumber because i saw the pleco likes it very much ... i will try the zucchini next time ... for spinash no doubt is one of the best diet food !
So far my loach, bala sharks, kissing gourami and tinfoil barbs love zucchini. I cut two circles in half and they disappear within a day.
i stick zucchini on forks and stuff it under the rockwork where only the plecos can get it. then i chop a few rings and let them float for my red hooks. this helps keep them off the pieces under the rockwork where the plecos and loaches are eating.