I have a 10g tank with a molly, a platy, and a pleco. All the books we've read say to feed them very small amounts 2-4 times a day, but when I was getting my water tested at the LFS the lady there said that I should only feed them the same tiny amount, but just once every other day. Why the big discrepancy? And what are your suggestions? Thanks...
Question about feeding schedule
- Thread starter chr1s
- Start date
I would agree with the lady at the LFS myself (especially if the tank isn't cycled yet). Personally I feed 1x day, only what they eat in 5 minutes.
The discrepency, IMO, probably comes from getting starters off on the right foot, but this usually backfires. What I mean is that typically new aquariusts get very small young juvenies(sp?), which really should be fed very small amounts throughout the day as opposed to a larger amount 1x a day. The problem is that most people WAY overfeed causing a HUGE host of problems that can very easily result in mass deaths and tank failure...
I would simply stick to 1x a day (2 MAX) and what they can eat in ~5 minutes. Also, what are you feeding your Pleco? They require a more varied diet w/ a lot of fiber and vegtables.
BTW - What kind of Pleco?
The discrepency, IMO, probably comes from getting starters off on the right foot, but this usually backfires. What I mean is that typically new aquariusts get very small young juvenies(sp?), which really should be fed very small amounts throughout the day as opposed to a larger amount 1x a day. The problem is that most people WAY overfeed causing a HUGE host of problems that can very easily result in mass deaths and tank failure...
I would simply stick to 1x a day (2 MAX) and what they can eat in ~5 minutes. Also, what are you feeding your Pleco? They require a more varied diet w/ a lot of fiber and vegtables.
BTW - What kind of Pleco?
I was wondering the type of Pleco b/c most will very quickly outgrow you tank and it will aslo determine their dietary needs.
The waffers are good, but you should read this as well: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46284
The waffers are good, but you should read this as well: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46284
I actually only feed my fish every other day or so feeding 4x a day is a little overkill imho. Also, if the pleco is a common pleco, I would take it back to the store because it will get way to big for your tank. Do you have a picture of it?
Did I read correctly upthread that you got it at Walmart? You almost certainly have a common pleco. There are a number of different pleco species sold under the name "common" pleco...and the smallest of them grows to at least twelve inches. Many of them grow to over two feet.
I'm sorry that you were so badly misled, but you very definitely need to either return the pleco or get a SIGNIFICANTLY larger tank. Full-grown commons need, at an absolute minimum, a 90 gallon tank. They really should be in 125 gallons or more.
Again, I'm so sorry that you were sold such an inappropriate fish for your tank, but sadly this sort of thing happens all the time. Try to return the fish to Walmart. If they don't let you return it, your best option is to go to the nearest aquatics store (Live Fish Store, or LFS) and explain to them what happened. There's a good chance they'll help you out, and even if they won't give you any credit for the pleco, they'll at least take it off your hands.
Unfortunately, Walmart has an incredibly poor reputation for their live fish sales, and even more unfortunately, this poor reputation is one they earned and well deserve. They are notorious for housing the fish in heinous conditions, and consistently (and worse, often knowingly) selling inappropriate fish to unsuspecting newcomers to the hobby.
Just as a warning, Walmart is by no means the only retail outlet to maintain such practices. Pet shops like Petco and Petsmart are often equally bad. They provide little or no training about fish care and upkeep for their employees. Some of them will make the effort and become self-educated, responsible salespeople who can provide a wealth of helpful information. Others are simply salespeople, and the sad fact is that they can and will tell you anything to make a sale. It is left to you to do the legwork of research before you head to the store.
If you want a bottom dweller for your tank and you like the look of the pleco, a Clown Pleco would be an appropriate choice for a 10 gallon. They stay quite small, and they won't outgrow your tank. If you'd rather have something entirely different, you can look around online or in a shop, then come back here and list the fish you saw that you like. There are a ton of friendly, knowledgeable people around here who will help you out with planning a nice stock for your tank.
I agree with some of the others, I would guess you have a common pleco which "can" grow to 16" + - They wont really each much algae, specially after they get used to the disc coming in.
Every walmart I have been in clearly displays the type of fish and their sizes on a tag on the tank. Certainly there are times when the employees dont know their butts from a hole in the ground, and thats just more reason that the purchaser has to do some research going in!
We have three walmarts in my city - I frequent two of them. One has a very knowledgeable fish department, one does not. I think its inappropriate to label them ALL bad. As with almost everything some will be good some will be bad - some employees take pride in what they do, others dont.
Every walmart I have been in clearly displays the type of fish and their sizes on a tag on the tank. Certainly there are times when the employees dont know their butts from a hole in the ground, and thats just more reason that the purchaser has to do some research going in!
We have three walmarts in my city - I frequent two of them. One has a very knowledgeable fish department, one does not. I think its inappropriate to label them ALL bad. As with almost everything some will be good some will be bad - some employees take pride in what they do, others dont.