Need help feeding pleco

[lorindaleigh]

That's a cool trick with the egg whites- how very clever!

I wouldn't be worried yet. Give him a little time to settle in. My commons will eat EVERYTHING that goes in the tank, but they are very very skittish even though I've had them in the same tank for 4 years. I can't imagine how much more scaredy-cat they'd be if I just moved them. Try putting in food in the tank at lights out when the other fish go to sleep. As others mentioned he will be active at night and his tank mates won't get to eat it all before he gets there.

If I feed the fish when its dark in the room and only the tank lights are on then sit back away from the tank for a moment (so the fish can't see me) the plecos will come out and eat with the other fish. As soon as they catch any movement outside the tank they dive for cover. Back away from the tank and sit still for a while with the room lights off, he may be more likely to come out and eat with the others.

Also, I notice you are looking for a cave for him, something natural looking. In my tanks I have lots and rocks and driftwood. Its prettier and my plecos each have their own spot on the underside of a piece of wood or between rocks. They don't need something enclosed on all sides to feel comfortable, just a secluded spot. The driftwood is good for them too.

Thats a good idea. I didn't think about making an area for him with just driftwood adn rocks. I was going to build my own rock cave but I was worried that I woudlnt do it right and it would fall on top of him or other fish.

 

[lorindaleigh]

Thanks.

 

[inkyjenn]

i learned the food trick from other pleco owners with finicky plecos. it worked like a CHAMP for one of mine who was so starved, his belly was concaved into 4 portions :/ hes now a fat happy booger who actually comes out when the lights are on to grab wafers from the cories

 

[Bajanfish]

he looks healty so he is getting something !!!
they will clean the bottom at night and eat poop too ......lol
Gl

Common misconception perpetuated by uneducated LFS salespeople, they don't eat poo and I don't know of any fish that does.