If it's a true royal, it requres wood in it's diet to be healthy. I didn't realize just how much mine ate for a long time, other than to notice that the driftwood was always clean and fresh looking. I removed a piece to put in another tank, and the area under the suction cups was a full 3/8" higher than the rest. So he essentially ate 3/8" off of the outside surface in a matter of 5-6 months. Based solely on watse factor, he seems to go in spurts. he'll eat a lot for a couple of weeks and then back off for a couple of weeks.
Dave
I'd get the standard 'driftwood' sold at most LFS (rather than grapevine, Mopani, etc.)
My little 3" bristlenose is really eating up the driftwood in my tank! I took a look yesterday and noticed he's left some parts and eaten others, and there are noticable ridges now. Based on the amount he's eating, I'd say it's a pretty essential part of his diet
