Skiddish Pleco's

[Triactis Trainer]

Does anyone now why some species are more out in the open and free swimming rather than others that are nocturnal? I understand that this can vary due to wild caught specimens then tank breed ones. Lets say for example L-182 and a regular common bristlenose pleco, both have been tank breed for several generations. I see my bristlenose almost 24/7 and only see my L-182 once a week or when i catch them with a flashlight. Is there a reason why or is it just purely because some fish are strictly nocturnal?? Thanks guys!

[.Plecomania.]

i think it's because it's in their genes. instinct tells them to be nocturnal and hide from light so they do unless they are sick.
i have seen the same differences between my bristlenoses and L260s

[Chanin09]

I've kept L-273 "Titanic" and LDA-105 "Typhoon" for a while, they alway hide in wood or cave all day and come out only at night.

[Triactis Trainer]

same here with my L160 and L91, but my bn come out and socialize all day like normal fish would, was just curious if it had an actual like scientific reasoning behind why some do/dont. I just assumed it was genetics as said above.

[.Plecomania.]

could also be eye anatomy but i'm not sure.
my L260 are like gremlins. they seem to be hurt by light. they would get exited when food was in the tank and would go nuts until they reached the line where light border dark. the moment their eyes hit light, they'd turn around and go back. you could almost hear them hissing

[nvcichlids]

try repashy foods. To me, they draw out even the shy'est of plecos during the day time

[.Plecomania.]

you can try to condition your plecos to come out in daytime with food.
doesn't always work though.

[Triactis Trainer]

Yeah, I figured if they are happy eating at night then who am i to stop them from doing what they love, and especially to force them to become stressed out potentially by only feeding during daylight hours.

[backstreetgambler]

Yeah, I figured if they are happy eating at night then who am i to stop them from doing what they love, and especially to force them to become stressed out potentially by only feeding during daylight hours.

Spoken like a true fishkeeper, good man !

[nvcichlids]

I don't know what other fish you keep with yours, but mine are kept with a few apistos and tetras only now and they never stress coming out in the day time. Now if you keep them with big cichlids or fast mean tetras, then they might get stressed trying to come out in the light for food.

IMO, animals will change their habits regardless of genetics to better keep them alive. I feel if they realize its safe to come out during the day, and the food is readily available at that time, they will become more active during the daylight. I am not saying stop the night feedings, but if you offer their favorite foods just during the day (like mine loving repashy morning wood gel)they start to come out more.

When I originally got my L271s, they would hide in every nook of driftwood they could. fast forward 2-3 months and I see them regularly out just swimming in the bottom, in the current.

[Triactis Trainer]

Interesting nvcichlids, I always put cucumber out in the day that way when it gets night time it is soft enough for them to eat it fairly easily. Same way with the zucchini and green beans. What is the repashy food you recommend? Ill have to try it sometime, other than those things I fed them hikari massivore delights and sinking carnivore pellets and earthworm sticks with a few whole shrimp once a week or on special occasions.

[.Plecomania.]

i hear spawn and grow repashy is good for carnivore plecos. i was going to try some for my L260 but can't afford more food right now lol.

[nvcichlids]

i hear spawn and grow repashy is good for carnivore plecos. i was going to try some for my L260 but can't afford more food right now lol.

2 months ago I purchased like $100 in fish food, and in January it will happen again.. but then should be set for a while.

Repashy is a gel based food. It can be purchased online from a number of locations. (Swiss Tropicals, Teds Fishroom, Kens Fish, etc.)I bought the smallest container of the morning wood not knowing how the fish would like it.. but now knowing they do, I will get the large container. The price seems high, but even the smallest container can make a TON of food. My little jar has made 2 batches already with another left. each batch has enough to feed for several weeks.