Veggie feeding questions

[nguyendetecting]

1. How long do I boil zucchini or cucumber?

2. How long to leave it in the tank?

3. Which is better for the fish zucchini or cucumber??

This is mainly for my new otos and bristlenose plecos

any personal experience would be great thanks all!

 

[Jannika]

Boil it for 3 to 4 minutes, then let it cool. It will only be partially cooked and should stay firm in your tank for a few hours. After that, remove it before it gets too mushy. Leftover slices can be frozen.

The nutritional value is probably about the same, mostly fiber and water.

 

[Jspigs]

I placed a few slices of zucchini in my 30 gallon for my bristlenose pleco. I did not blanch/boil them at all. Within a few minutes he was all over it chowing down. So in my experience blanching/boiling is not necessary for bristlenose plecos. I do not have any experience with otos.

 

[KevG]

blanching/boiling is not for the fishes feeding experience.
The point is to remove the loose coagulating gelees that come off of the veggies before you put it in your tank.
Nuke the veggie peice for 30 seconds in a coffee cup (in water) then drain and cool then let your fishies go at it!
Less gunk will float around and btw that gunk is the same as plant matter breaking down (which becomes amonia).
How long to leave it? that depends.. I can leave a peice of zuchini overnight and my nerites have a ball or I can drop it in for an hour so my fantail can get his.

 

[KevG]

Zuchini is better nutrient-wise and they enjoy it more generally speaking but variety is important.
You must also remove the seeds as they are gastro-intestinal nightmares for the fish.
Cut the round into 1/4 slices about 2 inches long and remove seeds and blanch then feed (once cool)

 

[dundadundun]

i clean it, cut it, skew it with a fork and let it sink. i usually pick thinner pieces so there's little or no seeds. i get less junk in my tank/filter, longer feeding time before it's a mess or broken down in the tank. otos still eat it like it's going out of style. works for me.

 

[CaitxSith]

1. How long do I boil zucchini or cucumber?

2. How long to leave it in the tank?

3. Which is better for the fish zucchini or cucumber??

This is mainly for my new otos and bristlenose plecos

any personal experience would be great thanks all!

1. I boil between 30 seconds and 1 minute
2. Overnight works. If you're afraid it'll dirty the water or bring about unwanted growth, then you can remove it in about 4 hours or so.
3. Either works. Variety is best

If I recall correctly, blanching for too long will remove nutrients. I think 30 seconds is fine for disinfecting/whatever.

 

[fishycat]

1. How long do I boil zucchini or cucumber?

2. How long to leave it in the tank?

3. Which is better for the fish zucchini or cucumber??

This is mainly for my new otos and bristlenose plecos

any personal experience would be great thanks all!

1) I pre-freeze my veg (zucchini slices or green bean slices) and then zap in the microwave in a small bowl covered with water, just about 30-45 seconds. Defrosting & heating in water usually is enough to make the veg sink.

2) The less you cook a veg, the longer you can leave it in your tank. If it's pretty soft, I'd only go overnight. If you stick it raw with a metal fork or briefly zap it per #1, you could leave it in 24 hours, maybe more.

3) I think cucumber has more water, zucchini more nutrients... but a variety always works. I've heard otos and bristlenose plecs go nuts for french cut canned green beans.

 

[aussie pride]

i only use it in my moss tank for my buh-zillion pond snails, 2 mystery snails, blackworms and cherry shrimp. i get fresh, stab it with a fork and drop it into the tank and leave it till they get bored...i know not very good, but the blackworms eat the fuzz and its way overfiltered

 

[Haydn24]

I agree with all above. I also found out that fish and shrimp LOVE sweet potatoe and strawberry