How Much Should a Pleco Eat?

[A&P]

We have a 7" common pleco that likes to eat. He eats a large pinch of shrimp pellets, 1-2 algae waffers, and half a zuccini (about 4-6" long, 1" thick) daily. He eats it all and would probably eat more if he could. He is very active and appears very healthy (if a little fat). Is it normal for him to eat this much? Our other plecos (2 common, 1 butterfly, 1 vampire) enjoy their food, but he is really enthusiastic.

Just for the record, everyone is in separate tanks so there is no competition for food.

 

[shenzhenluohan]

I really don't think there's anything wrong with what you're doing, however it's always a good idea to give all your fish a day off once a week to clean themselves out. As for the plecs you can try to mix up the veggies a bit as well, try squash, potato, capsicum etc...
HTH

 

[Plec123]

I really don't think there's anything wrong with what you're doing, however it's always a good idea to give all your fish a day off once a week to clean themselves out. As for the plecs you can try to mix up the veggies a bit as well, try squash, potato, capsicum etc...
HTH

X2.

 

[Neervana]

haha i was just thinking about this the other day! i have a small L014 that i just bought and 2 days ago i got a whole carrot, peeled it and split it down the middle! today i come back to see if i should change my water and the WHOLE carrot is gone!!! i always see him chewing and eating and stuff but he seems absolutely fine! im feeding him one veg a day, a teaspoon of bloodworms and a king prawn with algae wafers. i feed him loads because he is in a huge tank with loads of filtration but still gets 2 wcs a week. this is my 2nd L number but i've never kept a sunshine plec before so i wanted to do this really well! well not really well but just put a little more effort into exploring his diet and stuff

 

[messerchmidt]

mine eat until they are full, then swim away which is ALOT. the more you feed them, the bigger they get. (like love zucchini slices, gone in less than 2 days)