So...why do you? It seems like none of my fish are interested in the vegetables I put in their tanks, doesn't matter if it's blanched or not. My second problem is that I rarely even see my clown pleco go for a piece of zuchinni. From what I have seen on this forum, I had the impression that plecos really go for the veggies, but out of the three days I've had him...I've only seen him suck on it once. After 12 hours, the vegetable doesn't even look like it's been touched. I'm scared to starve him to death, especially since he's in a quarantine tank without much algea. I think he's just eating the left over flakes at the bottom...at least I'm hoping he's eating something. So I was also wondering if the pleco's just trying to adjust to the new environment or what. Thanks
Why do you blanch vegetables?
- Thread starter P00rColl3geBoi
- Start date
You'll notice after a day or two that the zucchini's being eaten. Sometimes plecos can be shy.
It's blanched to make it softer and easier to eat.
It's blanched to make it softer and easier to eat.
If you've only had him 3 days he could very well still be uncomfortable from the move. Some fish are fine day one, some fish can takes a few weeks to act normal. I'd not get too worked up quite yet.
I had problems getting my clown pleco to eat zucchini at first. To entice him, I poked 6-8 holes in the zucchini w/ a toothpick and stuck shrimp pellets in the holes. I still do that, and even when the shrimp pellets eventually get sucked out, everyone (clown pleco, clown loaches, and false SAEs) still chows the veggies.
Like someone mentioned, it can sometimes take 2 days or so before the chunk is completely eaten.
Like someone mentioned, it can sometimes take 2 days or so before the chunk is completely eaten.
It's just that it seems like the zucchini's not even touched. I have a piece of zuchini in my main tank, and a piece in the quarantine tank where the pleco's housing for now. The one in the main tank is half eaten (I don't know by who), and in the main tank are two snails, two panda cories, one angel, one hatchet, six glowlites, and three rosy fin tetras. The zuchini in the quarantine tank is still full, no sign of being even touched. In fact, I don't even think the Pleco's eating the algae wafers either. So I don't know what he's eating to stay alive...I don't think there are any algae in the quarantine tank
Siren
Mythological Creature
Blanching breaks down the cell walls in the plants, making them easier to digest. They end up being softer in texture, and kinda smushy. I assume that it also lets the juices of the plant flow into the water enticing the fish with it's odor, but I haven't been able to confirm that. Most fish will "taste test" new things in their tank eventually, so just be patient. Your fish might not recognize it as a viable and worthwhile food source yet.
If you have some decor in the Q tank, you could attach a piece of zuchinni to the rear of it, so when he does go to eat it, he can feel secure, almost as if he's hiding.
If you have some decor in the Q tank, you could attach a piece of zuchinni to the rear of it, so when he does go to eat it, he can feel secure, almost as if he's hiding.
FYI clown plecos eat almost nothing but driftwood. you need to put in a piece of driftwood in or he will starve.