Growing out a Pleco

[johnnymax]

I am trying to grow out a pleco to eventually add to my big tank.
I am feeding it the pleco wafers and it seems to be growing ok.
What can I feed it to maximize health and growth.
I was told that I need to put some drift wood in the tank.
It has a tank to itself.

 

[Rtc/tsn]

I am trying to grow out a pleco to eventually add to my big tank.
I am feeding it the pleco wafers and it seems to be growing ok.
What can I feed it to maximize health and growth.
I was told that I need to put some drift wood in the tank.
It has a tank to itself.

Cucumber and use a stainless steel rod or fork so it sinks. Make sure it’s stainless steel so chemicals don’t leech out into the water

 

[johnnymax]

Cucumber and use a stainless steel rod or fork so it sinks. Make sure it’s stainless steel so chemicals don’t leech out into the water

Cool! Love the fork idea...

 

[Rtc/tsn]

Cool! Love the fork idea...

Yea it’s very very very important that it’s stainless steel though otherwise you’ll mess up the entire tank. I learned that the hard way lol. Do you have any pictures of the pleco?

 

[Niki_up]

Depends on the pleco really.

driftwood is only really important to the wood eaters. If you have a veggie lover on you hands then I’d suggest wafers, zucchini over cucumbers and meaty food once a week or once every two weeks. If it’s a meat eater then forgo thereal veggies and feed a meaty protein pellet with a veggie wafer once a week or once every two weeks.

 

[johnnymax]

Yea it’s very very very important that it’s stainless steel though otherwise you’ll mess up the entire tank. I learned that the hard way lol. Do you have any pictures of the pleco?

I will try to take a picture tomorrow. He hides...

 

[johnnymax]

Here is the picture of my pleco. He seems to be growing pretty fast now. I swear he has at least doubled in size in one week. I increased the oxygen levels in the tank to speed digestion. I am feeding him wafers and veggies. He chowed down on the zucchini, but did not touch the squash. Today I added more zucchini and I am trying carrots.

 

[Rtc/tsn]

Here is the picture of my pleco. He seems to be growing pretty fast now. I swear he has at least doubled in size in one week. I increased the oxygen levels in the tank to speed digestion. I am feeding him wafers and veggies. He chowed down on the zucchini, but did not touch the squash. Today I added more zucchini and I am trying carrots.
View attachment 1463747

Not sure if carrots are a thing to feel plecos lol I’ve only ever heard of apples zucchini and cucumber but apples aren’t used as often because of the sugar it adds to the water. Just wondering, why did you choose a common pleco and not a green or blue phantom or vampire?

 

[johnnymax]

I wanted one that would get big fast. This was available local. I do not live close to anything but a Pet Smart. I love the way they look. They remind me of a dragon when they get a little bigger. Bullhead next...

 

[Rtc/tsn]

I wanted one that would get big fast. This was available local. I do not live close to anything but a Pet Smart. I love the way they look. They remind me of a dragon when they get a little bigger. Bullhead next...

What size tank is it going into?