I think everyone must have a pleco in at least one of their tanks and I'm sure you've read the information on their dietary needs in the Catfish and Bottom Feeders forum. If you haven't, well, it's a wonderful sticky written by ChileRelleno and you can read it here:
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46284
Now, after reading this wonderful article I followed the directions and stuck a 3" zucchini in the tank that has my pleco in it. He ignored it for a half day and then he just went WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! The only time I see him NOT eating the zucchini is when he's doing his job.
The interesting thing that I noticed was that my two clown loaches were also eating it, as well as my platies!
So I threw a piece in my 36g, which is pleco-less. Lo and behold, the kuhli loaches, who dearly love to hide at times, are ALWAYS at the front of the tank going to town on the veggie (actually a fruit, but we won't go there today ). They LOVE it! I think it's a loach thing, really.
Then I saw my rainbow fish eating it. The shrimp. The Mystery Snail. Everyone was munching away except the corycats. Seems not to be their style. Boy, they must be missing out on a yummy treat!
So, anyhow, if you want to make sure your fish get some good veggies and stuff, follow the instructions in ChileRelleno's post and throw in a zucchini!
Food for thought (pardon the pun)
Roan
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46284
Now, after reading this wonderful article I followed the directions and stuck a 3" zucchini in the tank that has my pleco in it. He ignored it for a half day and then he just went WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! The only time I see him NOT eating the zucchini is when he's doing his job.
The interesting thing that I noticed was that my two clown loaches were also eating it, as well as my platies!
So I threw a piece in my 36g, which is pleco-less. Lo and behold, the kuhli loaches, who dearly love to hide at times, are ALWAYS at the front of the tank going to town on the veggie (actually a fruit, but we won't go there today ). They LOVE it! I think it's a loach thing, really.
Then I saw my rainbow fish eating it. The shrimp. The Mystery Snail. Everyone was munching away except the corycats. Seems not to be their style. Boy, they must be missing out on a yummy treat!
So, anyhow, if you want to make sure your fish get some good veggies and stuff, follow the instructions in ChileRelleno's post and throw in a zucchini!
Food for thought (pardon the pun)
Roan