do common pl*cos normally go off veg/fruit somewhat w/age?

[andywoolloo]

was just curious if that's normal as they get older. he is about 7 or 8 yrs old i think. seemingly totally healthy, no other changes cept the lack of interest in some fruit or veg.

tank:75 gal
temp:76-78
filtration: Rena Filstar XP4, Rena Filster XP3
Heater: M300
substrate: sand
furnishing: driftwood, huge a.b.s. tubes, large caves, slate,large pebbles
tankmate: 1 syno euptera age 7-8 yrs also
set up for 7-8 yrs

parameters:
A - 0
NI- 0
NA- 5 PPM
PH 7.4 -7.6

50% water change once a week

he used to eat romaine lettuce, cuke, zucchini, mango, melon, papaya etc. along w his algae wafers and earthworm sticks and various prepared foods. now he is mostly on prepared foods and will just eat some cucumber sometimes. but not ravenously like before, it all started with him boycotting zuchinni completely, prior he would eat i all and just leave some skin. he would devour a mango like no ones business. he doesnt seem to have lost weight, he looks fine. still swimming and moving.

just wondered if this was normal.

[Matt30]

Hi mate, my H-zebra's did the same thing with courgette they went off it for months, but now have started to eat it again, I think, like us they probably just get feed up of eatting the same old thing all the time, I would leave it for a week or so and try again

[andywoolloo]

oh thanks so much for letting me know. I kinda figured or hoped he was just sick of the zuchinni for a bit lol thanks again

[sidguppy]

you cannot compare this

Hypancistrus zebra is a carnivore, so feeding it courgette is feeding it the wrong food....

it's like feeding lettuce to a cat.......

no wonder they rejected that or months

the Common Pleco should eat about anything, but strange stuff they need to get used to.

[Matt30]

you cannot compare this

Hypancistrus zebra is a carnivore, so feeding it courgette is feeding it the wrong food....

it's like feeding lettuce to a cat.......

no wonder they rejected that or months

the Common Pleco should eat about anything, but strange stuff they need to get used to.

I'm think I Know enough about keeping H-zebra to know they are primary Carnivores.
It is a fact that my H-zebra DO eat courgette and peas on a weekly basis in fact they go
mad for it, so no it is not like (feeding a cat lettuce!! ) which is a redictless comment to make.
May I suggest you do your homework before making comments about thing you no nothing about.

[Shane]

Let's try to keep this thread on topic. You guys are welcome to debate the proper diet of H. zebra in PMs or a new thread, but let's give folks an opportunity to answer Andy's question and/or share their experiences with the fish sp in question.
-Shane