Hifin Pleco? Identity and Food Matters

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DwarfCichlid101

DwarfCichlid101

Feeder Fish
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Feb 18, 2006
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I just recently got a 'hifin pleco' from my LFS, and I assumed it would be like my common pleco, except it will not eat the same food! I have given it algea wafers, shrimp pellets, I even tried some zuchini... It will not eat! Given its size 3" I am a little worried it may starve itself. I'll try to get a pict. soon.

I also googled 'hifin pleco' but that didn't get me much. I also tried the planetcatfish website to no avail. Any suggestions?
 
Can't tell from the pic, but guessing by the name it's probably a gibbiceps, or sailfin pleco. Feed it basically the same as a common.
 
Hifins are P. gibbiceps, and that is probably some fish in the same genus at least. Non-discript eaters, need both proteins and vegetables, just like your common will. Don't worry if it doesn't eat for a few days. Sometimes it might take a week or so for a fish to be happy enough to start eating. They are generally not fussy so probably sooner. Feed at lights out and it will start feeding. It's only small, so you might not notice it eating loads.
 
ok, thanks.

I also have a question on its breathing. Are they supposed to be rapid breathers? Because he is breathing faster than any fish in that tank, and I dont know if that is a sign of him lacking oxygen, or if that is completely normal...? I have live plants in the tank, and I don't know how an airator will affect them.
 
Ditto w/Davo, try feeding at night.
 
What other fish are in there with them. They aren't particularly fast breathers... Other than plants what do you have in terms of increasing O2 in the tank?
 
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