Pleco won't eat veggies!

just keep trying. My plecs sometimes take weeks to realize that a zuccini is food. Also, don't look in the tank and bother the fish. If it starts to associate zuccini with a big scary person looking in on him, you're sunk.

drop in the zuccini (raw, only blanch for tiny fry) in the tank, turn out the lights, and leave the fish alone until morning. keep this up until he eats it. it's really as easy as that.
 
I put some lettuce in last night (iceberg - it's all I have at the moment). The guppies thought it fascinating and immediately took to pecking at the edges (but then, they peck at my arm, too :grinyes:). Mr. Plecko... ran away. :silly: But I spied him on it once - oh yes, I did! And there was a centimeter-sized hole in it this morning. I guess he wasn't terribly impressed, but it's a start. :)

Funnily enough, just as I was starting to type this post, I noticed him moving and turned my head real quick. He was going *mwah mwah mwah* but stopped right away and looked at me warily. I think he might have been munching a water plant, as there was a little bare end right next to his mouth. Hmmm.... guess I'd better try again to ID it. It grows verrry slowly, so if he is eating it, it's not long for this world.
 
I would try hard to id that fella. If it is a common pleco then your tank is of course way too small.

On the other hand, the fact that it is eating algae waffers is good. They have such short digestive systems that they just need lots of bulk foods in their diet. Algae alone would kill them but you have at least started him on prepared foods. Just keep trying different veggies with him.
 
Yeah, get us a picture of the fish, as clear as you can make it, from a couple different angles. We might be able to ID him for you. Some pleco species don't take as readily to veggies, and some don't eat them at all. Still sounds like you're on a good path though.

One thing of note. Blanching or par boiling zuchini is not really to soften it up much, it's mostly to kill any fungus living on the skin. It also helps to remove pesticides and waxes.
 
I didnt have much luck giving my plecos zucchini and other vegetables either. I tried giving them slightly blanched canteloupe, and they starting sucking on it immediately!
 
It's a common/hypostomus. I wanted to ID the plant. Took a break from feeding last night, so nothing to report. Will try cantaloupe next (if the kids leave any).
 
try also cucumber!

Hello! don't blanched the cucumber. give half lengthwise & peel the outer skin then slit veg. wafers or tablet in different part of the cucumber. My common plec loves it. Alternate it with zucchini without the skin.
My plec lives on this diet. he is about 11 inches now. I bought him 1 inch last September.
 
Reega said:
Hello! don't blanched the cucumber. give half lengthwise & peel the outer skin then slit veg. wafers or tablet in different part of the cucumber. My common plec loves it. Alternate it with zucchini without the skin.
My plec lives on this diet. he is about 11 inches now. I bought him 1 inch last September.
Click to expand...

Good way of getting him interested in veggies too! You can also try studding some veg with shrimp pellets.
 
My plecos love cucmber and oranges(not kidding). Try holding the fresh food down with an ornament already in the tank. My plecos won't go near the veggie clip.
 
My gibbiceps is a bit slow on the uptake at finding lettuce, but courgette (zucchini in American???) and cucumber he now finds within a minute. It is worth persevering- just watch your water params if he continues not to eat it.
 
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