Suggestions on uneven food distribution.

[SimonWoodstock]

Since my cats are such pigs, they will eat everything I put in the tank, even if they already look like they are about to explode. Because of this, my pleco doesn't get to eat anything but cucumbers and whatever crumbs or algae it gets from the gravel.

My temporary solution is to move it back into the smaller tank. It can't stay in there forever, though.

I think I'm going to go ahead and put one of the two cats go in a pond sometime next month. Even with one left, knowing how fast they grow and how much they eat, I can imagine the pleco will still get left out of meaty foods I give them.

Anyone know some type of food or method of feeding that I can give them to make sure the pleco will get enough without massively over-feeding the catfish? Right now, I guess I could try to find some kind of sinking pellet that is too large for the cat to swallow, but in the near future this will be nearly impossible. I can't think of anything else.

Thanks.

[jamzwayne]

I have the same "problem" Simon...I will watch this thread and see what comes up.

Thanks for beating me to the question :D

[LongTime]

What kind of cats and what kind of pleco?

[StreetCypher]

Maybe feed the pleco more veggie like food (veggies, algae wafers) that the cats may not be as interested in?


Right now, I guess I could try to find some kind of sinking pellet that is too large for the cat to swallow, but in the near future this will be nearly impossible. I can't think of anything else.

I wouldn't try that. The cats will be very determined to eat it and may end up choking or hurting themselves in the process.

[RTR]

Feeding incompatabilities are just as real and just as damaging as aggression incompatabilities. Don't try to keep incompatable fish together. House them separately. That is not a popular stance, but it is real.

[SimonWoodstock]

I have two 4-5" channel cats and one 4" common pleco.

I do feed the pleco cucumbers and things like that. Mainly cucumbers, since it will eat them about twice as fast as anything else. I do give it other veggies, though. Anything that would have protien, shrimp pellets for example, will be gone in seconds.

[QCppg]

Channel cats are pure carnivores, and IMO didn't seem to care too much for any non-meaty food. I know common plecos need more protien than most other plecos, so try to get ahold of some veggie-type commercial food. It should have enough fish meal in it to sustain the pleco.

[daveedka]

Commercial algea wafers do have some protein, You can also lace some veggies with bloodworms or brine shrimp. I stick the items inside green beans sometimes, and then the catrs leave them alone, once the pleco figures out that there is a treat inside he will go after things more passionately. My royal has gotten to the point where I have trouble feeding the pictus cats around him.
Dave

[StreetCypher]

Commercial algea wafers do have some protein, You can also lace some veggies with bloodworms or brine shrimp. I stick the items inside green beans sometimes, and then the catrs leave them alone, once the pleco figures out that there is a treat inside he will go after things more passionately. My royal has gotten to the point where I have trouble feeding the pictus cats around him.
Dave


Thats so creative, Dave, you're a tricky guy. Thats a good idea though. But, the cats don't smell it at all, well, i guess not if it works.

[daveedka]

The green beans work if you can keep them from breaking up, I also feed these at the same time I drop bloodworms or shrimp at the other end of the tank. it seems to dull the senses a bit. even the Jd seldom catches the green beans being dropped. my Pleco can see a green bean from across the room and wastes no time at all in getting there.
Dave

[SimonWoodstock]

That is a great idea. Thanks!

[jamzwayne]

I've said it before and I'll say it again..

Dave ROCKS ! ! !

[daveedka]

I've said it before and I'll say it again..

Dave ROCKS ! ! !

gee tanks, ego strokes are always appreciated.

On another note, I have had an idea for a while, but haven't needed to try it. basically I have thought of making little "cabbage rolls" with blanched lettuce and worms or shrimp. I would imagine if you wrapped them tightly, the meat would be undetectable thus allowing the pleco to have his way without competetion. of course these ideas rely on no other fish being herbivourous by nature. Which is the case in my current tank but won't be when I set up the 67g this winter.
Dave

[QCppg]

You will have to wrap it up TIGHTLY if you use that advise... My channel cat, when I had it, ate worms like mad, and my fishing buddy uses shrimp as bait for catching channel cats.

[daveedka]

Fully agreed with QCPPG, it may or may not work. the green beans seem to work though, but then my pictus are a bit more skittish than a channel cat might be.
Dave