
Here are some great foods your plecostomus will love:
- Algae wafers or tablets
- Sinking pellets
- Earthworms
- Brine shrimps
- Frozen bloodworms
- Cut-up vegetables, such as zucchini, lettuce, and kale
What is a plecostomus diet?
This plecostomus diet provides an outstanding balance of proteins and veggies for bottom-feeders and plecos and other species that consume algae. These algae wafers sink instantly and are adequately sized to feed a limited number of bottom feeders or school of algae eaters.
How do I care for my plecostomus?
Plecostomus naturally consume algae, but also graze on driftwood. Feed your Plecostomus nightly or skip a day. Use pleco specific wafers, rounds or sinking discs. Introduce a slice of vegetable or fruit 2-3 times a week. When Do I Feed My Pleco? A plecostomus is primarily noctunral and prefers to graze at night.
What do plecos eat in aquarium?
Plecos are algae-eaters, but your home aquarium won’t provide enough algae to keep your pleco full. You’ll need to feed plecos algae wafers too. Plecos are omnivores, so you can also feed them meat, like shrimp and bloodworms, as well as vegetables including zucchini and kale.
How many wafers should I Feed my plecostomus?
Some people recommend skipping two days between meals, but only do so if your plecostomus is bloated, disinterested in eating or constipated. How Many Wafers Should I Feed My Plecostomus? Pleco-specific food usually arrives in the form of sinking rounds, discs or wafers. If you are dropping algae wafers, two will be enough.

How much should I feed a large pleco?
Feed your Pleco every day or every other day with Pleco-specific food. One to two times per week, feed your Pleco pieces of cucumber, zucchini, or lettuce (not iceberg).
What vegetables can I feed my plecostomus?
Plecos can eat vegetables. Romaine lettuce, the tops of celery and other leafy vegetables provide a good plant food source. Slices of cucumber, parboiled zucchini and parboiled peas are welcome in the pleco's diet.
What is the best pleco food?
5 Best Pleco Foods ReviewedOmega One Veggie Rounds. Omega One Veggie Rounds contain high-quality ingredients that make them an excellent choice for most plecos. ... Northfin Kelp Wafers. ... New Life Spectrum Algaemax Wafers. ... Repashy Morning Wood. ... Repashy Soilent Green.
Does my pleco need driftwood?
Plecos are known to feed on driftwood in minimal amounts. Driftwood consists of nutrients that help in the digestion process of Plecos. However, where driftwood can certainly help in enhancing the health of a Pleco, it is not really a need or necessity.
Can I feed cucumber to my pleco?
0:295:42#414: How to Sink Raw Cucumbers for Plecos - Tank Tip - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd they've come up with this really ingenious little tool to help you feed raw vegetables to yourMoreAnd they've come up with this really ingenious little tool to help you feed raw vegetables to your plecos.
Can plecos eat raw broccoli?
Broccoli seems to be a vegetable almost all plecos like. Especially the common pleco like eating the florets of this vegetable. You can either choose to boil your broccoli or feed it raw.
Can you feed raw zucchini to pleco?
It makes feeding your plecos and other aquarium fish a varied healthy diet quick and easy. Just screw a piece of fresh shrimp, zucchini or any vegetable and place it in your tank.
How do you prepare broccoli for plecos?
4:496:28Pleco Vs Broccoli - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo didn't blanch it just washed it forked it and put it in the tank. And my plecos loved it soMoreSo didn't blanch it just washed it forked it and put it in the tank. And my plecos loved it so hopefully you guys enjoyed this episode pleco vs.
When Do I Feed My Pleco?
A plecostomus is primarily noctunral and prefers to graze at night. You may find your pleco laying motionless or resting for much of the day. Train your pleco to eat at night because it’s when they are most comfortable and active. This is when they will need the extra nutrition.
What Do I Feed My Plecostomus?
Your plecostomus loves to eat. Most plecos grow quite large at over 12-15 inches. Some are able to grow up to 24 inches. They will not get enough nutrients from algae and detritus in your tank. Discs, rounds and wafers intended for plecos are easy to buy from your local fish shop, but they are not enough as well.
How Do I Know If My Pleco Is Overeating?
Do you keep driftwood in the tank? Do you know that your pleco will ingest bits of driftwood by grazing their sandpaper-like teeth over it for additional fiber? They may also nibble on plants and definitely continue looking out for algae. Your nightly meals may get to be heavy.
How Many Wafers Should I Feed My Plecostomus?
Pleco-specific food usually arrives in the form of sinking rounds, discs or wafers. If you are dropping algae wafers, two will be enough. If you have a current, air pump, powerhead or strong filter, you should clip the food to the glass attached to a suction cup.
Which Fruits Do Plecos Eat?
It’s fun to experiment with your plecostomus. They are hardy eaters and will try almost anything you are offering at the same time and place each night. If there isn’t competition for it, your pleco will eat in peace and comfort.
How Much Do I Feed A Pleco?
You can feed your pleco 2 wafers or discs a night. If you see that they have been consumed it and there are no other food sources, you could choose to drop another wafer in the morning.
Which Food Is Best For A Pleco?
The food you prepare will always be the best. You take the time to cut, clean, boil or blanch the food and they are single source ingredients. The cheaper blends contain fillers and preservatives.
What do plecos eat?
Some plecos lean toward eating meatier foods, and all of them will enjoy occasional meals of small worms, insect larvae, crustaceans or such. These high-protein treats are no doubt similar to the small creatures they could capture while grazing on algae beds in the wild. I do give frozen bloodworms to my plecos with some regularity, and during gardening season, treats of small (or chopped- don’t gag please, they really are frozen and broken) earthworms. The only trick is to feed the cats in mixed tanks without the other fish stealing the treats. I do this using red lights after the regular tank lights and room lights are out, but then everybody already knows I am a bit crazy.
What fish are attacking my pleco catfish?
A recurring theme on the boards are pleas for help, shock, and dismay from tank keepers whose pleco catfish are attacking their prize Discus, Gouramis, Silver Dollars, Goldfish, or any other fish with a large enough body for the pleco to grasp with their mouth.
What is the best lettuce for fish?
Leaf lettuces are also popular and good foods for these fish. Romaine is the most commonly suggested, but most dark leaf lettuces can be used. Iceberg lettuce is low in food value and would provide essentially bulk only, I do not use it. Leaves are best either blanched or frozen.
Do plecos like brackish conditions?
But they get rather large and like brackish conditions. Plecos also will not do well with only the leftovers from the other fish. Hopefully there will not be enough of that to keep them going, and it is not likely to be an adequate diet.
Can pleco cats eat algae?
Algae. Most of us purchase our first pleco cat as an algae eater. Most of these fish will do that, with some reservations. The Hypostomus-type plecos will usually do a pretty good job on the tank glass, river rock, and large pieces of driftwood. But they quickly grow too large and heavy to work on plant leaves.
Is a zebra pleco herbivore?
At least one population of the currently popular and expensive Zebra Pleco is such a fish. It appears to be more adapted to a micropredator lifestyle than to be herbivorous. But the majority are herbivores. Feeding in tanks is not difficult, but they do need to have a higher bulk diet than most other fish.
Is Java Fern a fishkeeper problem?
They would prefer softer, more readily available food, but if there is not any, they will eat what they can get. This can include just about any plant we grow, with the probable exception of Java Fern. This behavior is not a fish problem; it is a fishkeeper problem.
How often should I feed plecostomus?
Plecostomus fish really only need to be fed once a day. They love to eat at night and rarely like to be seen during the day. Drop the food into the tank before bedtime and your plecostomus will be happy.
How big can a plecostomus grow?
A plecostomus can grow to reach more than 14 inches in length. You have filled your tank with some of the most beautiful fish you could find. Your final addition is a Plecostomus. After a few short weeks, you notice your Plec (for short) is dirtying the tank with his droppings. You are overfeeding your Plecostomus.
How to tell if a plecostomus fish is overeating?
If they are overeating, when they use the bathroom, their feces will come out as a thin black stream that stays attached to their bodies. Advertisement.
What to feed plecos?
Since they are omnivores, you can feed them with some meat and veggies too.
What is the best pleco wafer?
These can be touted as one of the best pleco wafers because they are formulated with essential nutrients that are sourced from plant-based foods like vegetables and algae. Unquestionably, these are perfect options because they can help sustain vibrant fish coloration, boost stronger immune system functions, reduce poor digestion and stress-related concerns, as well as improve metabolic functions. It is amazing that even though its price tag is really cheap, it can offer your fish with lots of health perks.
What is the best food for finned fish?
Tetra Algae Wafers. Vegetable-fortified basic foods for all kinds of bottom-feeding fish like plecos are essential to consider because aside from meat, your finned buddies also need some plant-based foods for them to thrive. These foods are easy to digest and are known to contain generous amounts of fiber.
Why do fish need driftwood?
This is because this type of fish requires more fiber in their daily diet, and fiber can be obtained from driftwood. See to it to feed them with some pieces of driftwood in the fish tank so your pet fish could suck and scrape the driftwood off.
What is the health of a fish tank dweller?
In essence, the health of your fish tank dwellers largely relies on good nutrition. Put simply, the frequency of feeding and what you feed your aquatic pets would have a significant repercussion on the ecosystem of your aquarium.
Why do shrimp need a snail feeder?
Many shrimp, snail, and bottom fish feeders’ keepers prefer this product over other options because it is made with a blended formula of essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that these aquatic creatures precisely require to stay healthy and vigorous. More than that, feeding is made a lot easier since this food is palatable enough to attract even the pickiest eaters inside the aquarium.
Can plecos eat algae wafers?
Some plecos and other algae eaters are not attracted to these foods. Overall, these algae wafers are ideal for feeding plecos. They are made with all-veggie protein contents that make them highly recommended for differently sized herbivore grazers.
How to breed a Plecostomus?
In order to breed your Plecostomus, you will need to provide a breeding cave. The male will clean the cave, hoping to attract a female inside. If he succeeds, the female will enter the cave and lay her eggs on the side of the cave. The male then fertilizes the eggs and guards them until they hatch.
What substrate do plecostomus prefer?
Substrate. Most Plecostomus do best with a soft substrat e that allows them to forage for food and rest comfortably on the bottom. Fine gravel or sand is a good option, as well as aquatic soil. They also appreciate rock formations and caves that allow for hiding and algae growth.
What is a bristlenose pleco?
Also sometimes called the Bushynose Pleco, these fish are similar to the Common Pleco in appearance, but with the addition of bushy whiskers on the tip of the snout. There are multiple color morphs, including lemon and melanistic.
Why is my pleco aggressive?
This is usually due to being territorial. This aggression is usually related to a tank that is too small, so if your Pleco is becoming aggressive, it may need a larger tank. There have been anecdotal reports of Plecos attacking fish with thick slime coats, like goldfish, and sucking their slime coat, injuring the fish.
How to keep a plecos tank from getting stressed?
A regular day/night cycle in your tank is a good idea but avoid bright lighting. Since Plecos are naturally nocturnal, they may be stressed by bright lights. Aim to keep daytime light at a low level, or at a moderate level with lots of hiding places.
How big do clown plecos get?
At most, these Plecos reach 4 inches in length, but they usually stay closer to 3-3.5 inches. Zebra Pleco.
Where do plecos live?
These fish are naturally found in South America, and the most commonly seen Plecos in the pet trade prefer tropical tank environments.
What do Plecos eat?
For live foods: bloodworms, earthworms, crustaceans, and larvae. Our preference is the worms because they sink, meaning in a community tank the Plecos can still eat.
Where do Plecostomus live?
They can survive in a wide range of habitats, with the majority of them living in fast-flowing streams and rivers with a rocky substrate. However, some can be found in brackish estuaries.
How many species of Plecostomus are there?
The Plecostomus catfish, or Pleco for short, is a name used for the catfishes that belong to the Loricariidae family. In total there are more than 150 different species; ranging from small to large and peaceful to aggressive catfish.
What is a Pleco?
Plecostomus, or Plecos, are a group of armored catfish that belong to the Loricariidae family. They are by far the most popular catfish amongst fish keepers and in total there are well over 150 species. The most in-demand member of this family is called the Common Pleco and can grow up to 24 inches long. Video Player is loading.
How long do Pleco catfish live?
It is found in the freshwater streams and rivers of South America, can grow up to 24 inches in length and have a lifespan of 10-15 years.
What is the color of a plecos?
Appearance of Plecostomus. The majority of Plecos are brown in color; however certain species’ coloration is dependent on their environment. The majority of them also have sand-colored spots or patterns. They are referred to as “armored catfishes” because they have large boney plates that cover their body.
Where is Hypostomus plecostomus native to?
The Hypostomus plecostomus is native to the tropical waters of South America, specifically the Amazon River basin. This natural environment consists of shallow streams and rivers that flow through tropical forests.
