Feeding a Sultan

Grubby Sculpin · Post by **Grubby Sculpin** » 28 Mar 2006, 15:43

About two weeks ago I picked up a Sultan Pleco L-264. I was totally psyched because no stores near me carry anything other than your common, clown, or royal plecos. He immediately took up residence under a rock. Slowly he is getting braver and coming out of his hiding spot a little more each day at feeding time. He does seem to eat some flakes and anything else that falls near his spot. But Ive tried feeding him zucchini and sweet potato and I dont think he touched either. None of my fish bother him at all, but he does get spooked if he is out and I walk by the tank. Im just wondering what they prefer. Should I keep going with the veggies and as he gets more comfortable will he find them?

eupterus · Post by **eupterus** » 28 Mar 2006, 15:48

I have a group of 5 264's and I have found that they are not vegetarian in the slightest. I would stick to bloodworm and good quality pellet foods. They are susceptible to overfeeding, I lost 4 a few months ago over night and the only conclusion I could get to was over feeding. I do on occasion give cucumber but only at night and I remove in the morning. They are not that keen.

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 28 Mar 2006, 15:50

Leporanthicus are carnivores, and will prefer meaty foods such as shrimp and cockle.

Feed some veggies too though. It keeps them from bloating. Mine shows no interest in the foods you mention, but absolutely loves broad beans (fava beans).

jeremy242 · Post by **jeremy242** » 28 Mar 2006, 16:33

When i frst got mine, he realy liked to eat cucumber but he would only eat it at night when he came out where as my others wil eat it anytime of day. Now he really likes the shrimp pellets that i feed my corys. He pretty much just sits in his cave all day but when the shrimp pellets are in he tank he looks for them, but only around the cave he dosn't venture far from the cave.

Grubby Sculpin · Post by **Grubby Sculpin** » 28 Mar 2006, 18:23

Interesting that most of what you guys say is that they are carnivores. The CAT-E-Log states that they are mostly herbivores but do like some meat. So are they eating meat because they prefer it over veggies and its less work, or are they actually mainly meat eaters? I think I read somewhere before that many herbivores will eat meat but a lot of it isnt always good for them.

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 28 Mar 2006, 22:16

Yes, there are some strange anomalies in the cat-elog, like the max SL of the common plec being 10".

It's just a matter of poor Jools getting round to correcting them.

This is what the "site suggestions and bugs" forum is for.

However, 99.9% of the time it gives spot on information

So are they eating meat because they prefer it over veggies and its less work, or are they actually mainly meat eaters?

They are carnivores, this can be seen from their teeth. They are not like the rasping plates of a vegetarian bristlenose.

Here's a pic of the Armbruster site:

I think I read somewhere before that many herbivores will eat meat but a lot of it isnt always good for them.

Yes, vegetarian fish have a much longer gut, and it can get blocked causing bloating and infection if too much protein is fed.

However, this can also occur in meat eaters too. See this post...

http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... ght=shrimp

Always feed a varied diet, and make sure that veggies are fed about three times a week.

duonri · Post by **duonri** » 30 Mar 2006, 16:53

I keep my 2 L264 with 6 large Discus: They eat beef-heart, blood-worms and Tetra-bits. Beside they DO eat cucumber, mainly at night.

Waldo · Post by **Waldo** » 30 Mar 2006, 20:42

nice k9 teeth. Very interesting Picture.