The best foods for plecos include:
- Algae wafers or tablets
- Sinking pellets
- Earthworms
- Brine shrimps
- Frozen or freeze-dried bloodworms
- Cut-up vegetables, such as zucchini, lettuce, and kale
What fish are compatible with a pleco?
Plecos are generally compatible with most other fish, apart from their own species. They can be kept with smaller fish such as guppies, loaches, platies, mollies, gouramis, and hatchets. They can live with cichlids and angelfish, but the pleco needs to be the same size or bigger than the cichlids or angelfish to withstand their aggression.
What Veggies can you feed a pleco?
Feed your pleco fruit and vegetables. Your pleco will enjoy a variety of vegetables, like broccoli, shelled peas, lima beans, kale, celery, cabbage, and zucchini. Though your pleco may enjoy small pieces of cantaloupe, honeydew melon, breadfruit, and papaya, you should avoid providing acidic fruits or veggies, like oranges and tomatoes. [4]
What is the best food for pleco?
The food items I list right below, are all perfect for Plecos:
- Algae wafers
- Driftwood – very important for all types of Plecos. This is a naturally encountered food source, so make sure they have plenty of it in the tank.
- Earthworms
- Bloodworms
- Shrimp
- Vegetables
How often should I Feed my plecos?
Types Of Pleco Food
- Algae And Sinking Algae Wafers. As we have already mentioned, algae and algae wafers are the primary constituents of a pleco’s diet.
- High-Fiber Foods (Vegetables) You can either blanch the vegetables or feed them raw, but make sure that they are washed thoroughly and cut into small pieces.
- Driftwood. ...
- Higher-Protein Foods. ...
How often do you feed common pleco?
While Plecos do eat detritus and algae, it will still need its diet supplemented. 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 fruit and veg can plecos eat?
You can offer your plecos veggies like broccoli, shelled peas, lima beans, kale, celery, cabbage, zucchini, and others. It is best to cut your veggies into small pieces so your fish can easily munch on and consume these foods.
Do plecos need vegetables?
Vegetables. 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.
Do common plecos need driftwood?
Driftwood is important to all plecos definately. It is the most important thing you could have in the tank where plecos are concerned. They actually eat them for the bulk fiber which makes up part of their diet.
Can I feed my pleco cucumbers?
0:255:42#414: How to Sink Raw Cucumbers for Plecos - Tank Tip - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is a product by opti fish they're out of the UK. And they've come up with this really ingeniousMoreThis is a product by opti fish they're out of the UK. And they've come up with this really ingenious little tool to help you feed raw vegetables to your plecos.
How do I keep my plecos happy?
8:1112:51One Of The Most Mistreated Fish In The Hobby. Top 10 ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo use some common sense they generally won't hunt other fish. But if they get large enough and theyMoreSo use some common sense they generally won't hunt other fish. But if they get large enough and they're smaller fish in the tank. And they have the opportunity.
Can I feed my pleco Apple?
I try to feed them veggies and fruits a couple times a week. So far they have liked zucchini, blanched spinach and cucumber. They did not like the apple, banana, or honeydew melon that I put in there.
What fruits can I feed my pleco?
Though your pleco may enjoy small pieces of cantaloupe, honeydew melon, breadfruit, and papaya, you should avoid providing acidic fruits or veggies, like oranges and tomatoes. Simply wash and slice the fruit or veggies into small pieces to prepare them for your pleco.
Can you feed a pleco a banana?
3:0310:51Pleco Vs. Banana - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut my plecos do not like bananas guys yeah they just get on it. And then they get off of it. BeenMoreBut my plecos do not like bananas guys yeah they just get on it. And then they get off of it. Been in here an hour they've ate through the you know the outer edge of it too.
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 plecos have strawberries?
Many pleco owners report feeding their fish a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Some of these fresh vegetables include sweet potato, lettuce, spinach, broccoli, and even strawberries.
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.
Why do fish eat sword plants?
Once the fish have reached only a fraction of adult size there is no way a plant leaf can support them easily, if at all. So they start ignoring the plants. Or worse, they weigh down the lower leaves of swordplants or such, and rasp away the whole thing. They are not being malicious. They are hungry. 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. We are not feeding the fish properly.
What to feed catfish babies?
This is most easily done by microwaving the peas or beans briefly in a little water, then shelling them. To me this is a hassle; to you it may be easier than slicing zucchini. If it is no problem, these items are something else that can be used in the fish veggie rotation. I confess that I do this only for delicate catfish babies. It was the only way I was able to feed Sturisoma fry, and even that was not very successful.
Why are fish engineered?
They are “engineered” to process a larger quantity of material than other fish in order to get equal food value. Obviously this ability to exploit a low-nutrition food source has paid off for the family, as they are widespread through South America east of the Andes, with a remarkable number of species. Some of these species have reduced the family’s characteristic dependence on plant-based materials in order to fill niches lacking such resources.
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.
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.
What do pleco fish eat?
Since they prefer to stay at the bottom of the tanks, they tend to eat up crustaceans and driftwoods, so that also forms part of the food. The pleco fish need a lot of fiber, and most of its dietary requirements for fiber comes from the driftwood that is put in the tank.
Why are my plecos not eating?
If you notice your fish refusing to eat, or incapable of moving along and color changes on the fins, then it is highly possible, that your plecos are affected by Dropsy and fin rot disease. There could be two reasons why your fish are going through this – one could be malnutrition or unclean water. So if you start feeding your fish a balanced diet, comprising both vegetables and meat, then you will see there is a definite improvement in their condition.
Why do pleco fish sleep at night?
During the night, the lens-like organ helps the fish to let in just the right amount of light needed for them to swim through the tanks feeding and nibbling.
Where are Pleco fish found?
These were originally found in the Amazon River that flows all through South America and going by that these are fish that prefer freshwater with a vibrant undercurrent and with a lot of driftwood and stones.
What is the best temperature for a pleco fish?
Since this fish needs a lot of oxygen, it requires perfect freshwater all the time. The ideal temperature of the water is between 72 degrees and 86 degrees F and the most optimal pH level between 6.5 and 7.5. There are close to 150 species in this family, and the most common of them all is termed as the common pleco.
How big can a pleco get?
This fish can grow really large and can become as big as 24 inches in its natural surroundings. However, when housed in ...
Where is Pleco native to?
Common Pleco is a freshwater catfish of the Loricariidae family. It is native to South American slow-moving rivers. It loves to hide a lot during the day but is majorly active at night.
What do plecos eat?
Zucchini and cucumbers are their absolute favorites. You will see 1 bn pleco consume a quarter of a cucumber overnight, in most cases leaving nothing but a clear skin. His raspy mouth with eat the green off the inside of the skin - it’s fun to watch.
What is the best pleco?
The very best Pleco, for the newbie to Plecos, is a Bristnlenose Pleco commonly listed as BN Pleco. They are small growing to between 3.5″ and 6″ when fully grown with the average of about 4.5.”. The BN Pleco comes in a wide variety of types and will all mate with each other as they are all BN’s there are Common BN Pleco ...
How long can you leave plecos in a tank?
Never leave it in the tank for more than 2 days or it will get mushy. If your pleco is new to the tank it may take a few times before he recognizes your treats. Other favorite treats include shrimp pellets, tubefix worms and bloodworms. You may have to weight down cucumbers and some fruits.
How do Plecos breed?
Plecos are cave breeders meaning they like to have a small cave with a small opening to breed in. The male chooses a cave he likes and claims it as his own. The female comes to visit and he takes her into his bedroom. Later, the female will lay her eggs on the ceiling of the cave at which time the male shoves her out of the house and tells her to stay away. The male will then stay right in the doorway, filling it up and not letting anything inside to endanger his precious babies. He will also fan the eggs to keep mold, algae, etc. from forming on the eggs and ruining them.
Why do fry like peas?
For fry, they love little peas with the outside skin off because it is soft for them to nibble on. They also enjoy brine shrimp or even tubefix worms.
Do plecos eat wood?
Just because he is a Pleco doesn’t mean he will eat the same thing as other Plecos. One thing almost all of them have in common is that they need wood in their diet. Make sure you have a nice hunk of driftwood in the aquarium for him. The fibers and tannins in the wood are NEEDED for the Pleco’s digestion and cannot be ignored if you want a healthy Pleco.
Can plecos be shortfin?
Most of them also come in either shortfin or longfin version. Those are the best easiest plecos for a beginner to plecos as they basically take care of themselves. They are very friendly community fish, but not without their defenses, which make them ok to place with some of the less aggressive cichlids.
How many gallons of water do plecos need?
Adult Common Plecos need a tank size of 75 to 80 gallons at the very minimum. However, to help your fish reach its full size and potential you’ll need at least 150 gallons!
What is a common pleco?
Common Plecos are a very popular freshwater fish that have been kept in the aquarium community for ages. They’re hardy, straightforward to care for, and very fun to observe.
Where do Pleco fish come from?
The Common Pleco belongs to the Loricariidae family, which is a large group of armored catfish species. Originally, this species comes from South America. Specifically, they are abundant in countries like Brazil, the Guianas, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Where are Plecos found?
Specifically, they are abundant in countries like Brazil, the Guianas, and Trinidad and Tobago. Author Note: Common Plecos have started to appear in several countries around the world, too. Due to pet owners releasing these fish into the wild, they’re considered an invasive species in many regions.
How to cure a fish with a disease?
If your fish contracts a disease, quarantine them to start treatment immediately. Use a Pleco-approved medication or utilize natural treatment methods to cure your fish.
How to replicate Pleco?
To replicate the Common Pleco’s natural environment, go with traditional riverbed decorations. These fish will spend most of their time at the bottom of the tank, so spend some time getting the decorations just right. Use a fine sand substrate at the bottom.
What are the diseases that fish have?
Some common diseases you might encounter are ich and dropsy. Ich is a common ailment that’s usually caused by stress. It’s very contagious and causes small white bumps to form all over the fish’s body.
