Pleco not eating

S

slinshot

AC Members
Oct 7, 2007
17
0
0
I was given a 55 Gallon tank with a pleco and a silver dollar. The pleco is a pretty good size, at least 6 inches. He's very shy, once he sees you going near the glass he goes to the corner near the filter. I've dropped algae discs and peeled grapes, but I've never seen him eat. I've had the tank for almost 2 months, so I don't know what he's been eating. The silver dollar is the one that has been eating the algae discs*(I throw it in and he catches and sucks on it, it's entertaining). I now have 9 tetras in there with him. I'm afraid one day he'll be hungry enough and attack my tetras:eek:. any comments?
(I'm working on boiling a medium size, 21 inches, Mapino driftwood I bought at petco. So far the one side is not leaching any more, working on the 2nd half.)
 
are you feeding only during the day or at night after lights out? the pleco will be more likely to get a bigger share of food if fed in the dark. veggies like peas, green beans, zucchini, sweet potato, and spinach might be more attractive than grapes.
 
I've tried morning and night, but not under dark, I might try that. However my question is, what has he been eating all along.
 
They will forage algae and left over foods on the bottom.

If he hasn't died yet I wouldn't worry. I'm pretty sure that if he wasn't eating he wouldn't last for more than a week or two tops.

I drop food in about 30min before lights out, and my tiny pleco who is very active with the lights on will start eating and then once lights are out the big guy will come off the glass and eat.

Next day there is no food anywhere.
 
most plecos are nocturnl and feed at night. depending on the species some prefer a meatier diet.

many will go after food left after the other fish have eaten.

I agree, try feeding it at lights out.

btw silver dollars are veggie eaters.
 
Thanks for the replies, my mom is the one that's worried, since she never sees the pleco eat anything. I have 9 tetras and when they see me come in they get all jumpy and start swimming up and down sort of greeting me. When I feed them the silver dollar comes out and I give him half of an algae disc (sometimes a whole one). I feed the tetras twice a day and the silver dollar once a day.

I can't wait until tomorrow when I add the mopani to the tank, I want to see the pleco on it :grinyes:
 
I have a clown pleco that I haven't seen at all for about 2 months at one point (and assumed he was dead) and then he just appeared again. I was thrilled. I guess they find a way to survive even without the food meant specifically for them.
 
mszumins said:
I have a clown pleco that I haven't seen at all for about 2 months at one point (and assumed he was dead) and then he just appeared again. I was thrilled. I guess they find a way to survive even without the food meant specifically for them.
Click to expand...

do you have driftwood in the tank? what is the scientific name for your clown (there are two species commonly called clown plecos)?
 
Check out the belly on your pleco. It should be plump, not fat. If it isn't then he hasn't been getting enough food. If it is plump he has been eating. Unfortunately pleco and many other fish can starve to death over a very long period of time. There comes a point when it is too late and even if they start to eat they can't properly digest the food anymore.

Drop in 2 slices of zuchinni or cucumber in his two favorite spots at night. Chances are the Silver Dollar won't get all of both.

I do agree though that a picture oor discription would be useful in helping to id the pleco. They have a bunch of great pictures at planet catfish.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom