just wondering...

chrisinha · Post by **chrisinha** » 17 Mar 2005, 04:43

i have a common pleco and he used to be very, very shy. he used to stay all day in his "log" and only came out at night after the lights were out. lately i've noticed he's been more "outgoing". many times when i get home i can see him swimming in the tank searching for food during the day!

if i sneak in a slice of cucumber, he doesnt even care who's looking, he goes for it and devours it! only if i decide to put my hand inside the tank, then he freaks out and "runs" to its cave. i feed him a round slice of cucumber everyday, and drop a algae wafer every other day. do you think he's starving? is this change of behavior normal? i've had him for about 5 months.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 17 Mar 2005, 09:36

It's probably more that he's getting used to his new home... Most pleco's are terribly neophobic - afraid of new things. So if they are in the same environment for a long time, they will get used to it, and feel more at home.

They will probably also learn to recognise you from other people, so when you walk up to the tank, it will stay out, but if someone else comes near, it will hide...

Edit: You may want to try some other food, that has a bit more "substance" such as Zucchini, Squash, Sweet potato or perhaps stems from Broccoli. Best if they are cooked to "on the firm side" (Al Dente as the italians would say).

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Mats

bronzefry · Post by **bronzefry** » 17 Mar 2005, 21:26

I used to wonder why fish freaked out when I stuck my hand in the tank, too. But then I tried to think of it from the fish's point of view. A human hand must look like an all-out alien invasion!

The proportions are all wrong compared to everything else in their world. At this point, the Otos like tank cleanings so much, they suck on the gravel cleaner. But, then again, Otos will latch onto just about anything....

chrisinha · Post by **chrisinha** » 17 Mar 2005, 22:59

hey, thanks!

im so relieved! Mats, i did try to give him squash once but he completely ignored it!

i'm going to try it again!

thanks!

chris

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 18 Mar 2005, 09:27

Bronzefry wrote:I used to wonder why fish freaked out when I stuck my hand in the tank, too. But then I tried to think of it from the fish's point of view. A human hand must look like an all-out alien invasion! The proportions are all wrong compared to everything else in their world. At this point, the Otos like tank cleanings so much, they suck on the gravel cleaner. But, then again, Otos will latch onto just about anything....

I've had my baby ancistrus's INSIDE the gravel cleaner (when stopping to empty the bucket, not actively sucking). As well as on the outside whilst I'm vacuuming... They don't seem bothered at all.

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Mats

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 18 Mar 2005, 09:30

chrisinha wrote:hey, thanks!

im so relieved! Mats, i did try to give him squash once but he completely ignored it! i'm going to try it again!

thanks!

chris

Most pleco's take a few attempts before they get used to new food (it's that neophobia again). When I first put sweet potato in the tank, they weren't too bothered, but after a few feeds, they can't leave it alone. It's obviously not guaranteed that they like it. If they don't take squash, try some other vegetables. I give mine all sorts of things, and they don't seem to mind too much what it is... But if they don't eat it after a few attempts, it's not worth worrying about it, just find something else to try.

In the end, cucumber is better than nothing. Food with more substance will be better...

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Mats

chrisinha · Post by **chrisinha** » 19 Mar 2005, 01:27

Thanks, Mats!

Maarten · Post by **Maarten** » 19 Mar 2005, 09:09

My P. sabaji L75 seems to like tomato too, I was eating a hambuger and had some slices of tomato left over... even my Black Ghost knifefish ate from it slice

About the shynes... I've got the Sabaji for about a month now and it is more alive during the day, but still a bit scared when something is near/in the tank.

chrisinha · Post by **chrisinha** » 19 Mar 2005, 16:00

tomatoes???

lol