How many times feeding pleco ?

Black Ghost · Post by **Black Ghost** » 27 Jun 2004, 10:02

Hi all,
sorry for my bad english.

I wanted to know how many time we have to feed plecos ? I had received a lot of recommandations that told to not feed more than 3 times a week because the plecos eat on bogwood and algae in the tank.

But i'm not confident on this information. I had a big sailfin pleco of 12 inch and he was very agressive with my big cichlids. I sold him ,but i think it was because i wasn't feeding him enough.

Now, in different tanks, I have a

baryancistrus sp (golden nugget)
panaque nigrolineatus
queen arabesque
sailfin

and another that I dont know the name

How I should feed them and with what ? Because for now, they eat the rest of the food of the other fish and algae wafers.

I try to read the others questions on the forum about that but I dont find some how really help me to understand

thanks !

Post by **Silurus** » 27 Jun 2004, 10:57

baryancistrus sp (golden nugget)
panaque nigrolineatus
queen arabesque
sailfin

Click on the names and you will find info on what to feed the fish. As for frequency, this depends on the amount you feed per feeding, but I would say generally not more than once or twice a day.

Yann · Post by **Yann** » 27 Jun 2004, 16:19

Hi!

Also depends if they are newly acquired fish...
They are usually a bit underfed and need to fatten up a bit so 1-2 twice everyday is good, but like HH said it also depends on the amount given, it is better to start with not enough and add more than too much ...

If you are conditionning for spawning you will fed them 1-2 a day everyday...

But as a general matter, we all tend to overfeed our fish so a day or 2 on diet won't harm them, excpet again if they are fry or very young specimens...

Cheers
Yann

Black Ghost · Post by **Black Ghost** » 27 Jun 2004, 16:37

oh

I didn't feed my plecos properly for the time I had the first one of the for mention above...so for 6 month

How can I give them bloodworms (like for the queen arabesque ?) The bloodworms are not at the bottom or my other fish will compete....can I give him beaf heart that I trust in quality ?

I'll try lettuce and zuccini soon !

thanks for your responses

Post by **Silurus** » 27 Jun 2004, 16:45

Don't feed your plecos beefheart. That is an unnatural diet and your fish will develop health problems in the long run.
To make sure the bloodworms reach the bottom of the tank, defrost the frozen cube in a small container, and then dispense the thawed worms using a dropper. You can even dispense the worms directly in front of the queen arabesque, if you wish.

Yann · Post by **Yann** » 27 Jun 2004, 16:54

Hi!

Try feeding them once the lights are totally out...so the other fish won't compete them over food...

Cheers
Yann

Black Ghost · Post by **Black Ghost** » 27 Jun 2004, 17:05

ok thanks

my plecos all live on boogwood...is it preferable to arrange an other place for them ?

i read about cave, is it very important ?

Yann · Post by **Yann** » 27 Jun 2004, 17:22

Hi!

Yes it is important for every fish to have a place to hide and to rest, so give them several caves...

Cheers
Yann

polkadot · Post by **polkadot** » 28 Jun 2004, 19:04

For me, i feed my pleco every alternate day, the amount is what they can finish in about 10 mins or so. Normally I try to feed them in the dark because I've got other tankmates that eats a lot more with light!!!