Is it normal for Plecos to eat feeders?

[West1]

I have a Tiger Pleco (looks like it) that naws on feeders that are not strong enough to swim away. Usually get caught in one of the powerheads and the pleco just flys to the feeders tail and usualy just leaves the head. I do have him on a pretty good diet. Alge waffles, squash, carrots, market shrimp (this daily) and green peas/beans. Every here and there he eats earthworms and rarely on crickets.
I am just stunned that he goes after the feeders. Anyone ever heard of this??? You think it is learned behavior from the other preds in the tank??

 

[convict94]

who is he in with? he could just be on in a million and just a really cool pleco. i don't think this will affect him in any way but im not an expert on this.

 

[WyldFya]

Without knowing the actual type of pleco you have, it is hard to say that you are feeding a good diet. Some striped plecos are herbivores, primarily feeding on plants, and wood, some are omnivorous feeding on whatever they find, and some are carnivorous needing a lot of protein foods like shrimp and fish.

 

[West1]

It looks just like "fishgonewild" T.Pleco
Here is a link to his buy/sell thread

All he does is suck the hell out of the fish. Usually it looks like the fish is trying to get away, but it is cause he sucks on the fish so the fish is moving in and out, in and out... Looks funny
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117386

 

[808bait]

i have a 10" spotted pleco in my tank with my 12" Jar. I've caught that pleco eating a few feeder comets! Don't know if it's typical but, saw it happen.

 

[Ianab]

Most plecos are oportunistic omnivores, they will basically eat anything that cant swim away.

Like WyldFya says the different types do have different dietry needs, but they will all pretty much eat whatever they find.

I was given a medium size Goldpot pleco that had learnt to stalk and hoover up small guppys. I suspect the original owner wasn't feeding it very well. All of mine will however clean up any dead or dieing guppy that they come across

Cheers

Ian

 

[DRAVEN]

i feed my 19inch regular pleco Pealed shrimp he seems to like it

 

[benzjamin13]

My Plecos goes wild for shrimp and when it comes to feeding the Dats some "treats," the Plecos like to get in on the action whenever they can.