zuchini in tank- how long?

jimmyB · Post by **jimmyB** » 30 Jan 2006, 17:27

I have been putting slices of zuchini in my BN pleco tank, and I can tell they have been nibbling on it. Just wondering how often to change it? How many days do you leave a piece in their before replacing with a new one? They certainly aren't gobbling it down to nothing, I have two pieces that are probably 1.5" x 1". I have a pair of albino BN in this tank by themselves, hoping to get them to spawn. I do feed them other foods like algae tabs and some occasional bloodworms.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 30 Jan 2006, 17:32

I would feed them a bit more than what they eat in 24 hours. Take out what's left after that time.

If they are small, you may want to give it a quick boil (stick it in a microwave safe bowl with enough water to cover it, and give it a nuke 'til the water boils - rinse with cold water and place in tank).

A pair of medium bristlenose will eat a slice half inch think (1.5" diameter) in about 24 hours.

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Mats

drpleco · Post by **drpleco** » 30 Jan 2006, 17:34

i leave mine in for 24 hours before adding a fresh piece. However, I have babies in the tank and a slice will rarely last that long. I clip 5 slices in different areas of a 50g tank and they're all gone (except the skins) in a day.

I also throw in some frozen salad shrimp and the fish love them. Just toss them in frozen and they'll thaw and sink. It's a very cheap way to give good protein to the fish. I do it once or twice a week. The rest of the week is zuccini, algae wafers, and flake.

Phathead6669 · Post by **Phathead6669** » 30 Jan 2006, 18:08

I wouldn't leave it in there much longer than 24hrs cause it will start to break apart and can be hard to remove. When I feed mine Zuchinni I slice it from top to bottom and stick it in the tank that way. Usually by the next morning they have eaten most of it. I have two full grown Commons one is albino and one full grown Gibby.

blueguava · Post by **blueguava** » 31 Jan 2006, 07:13

24hrs is the maximum for my Pl*c's that only have a bit a couple of times a week. However with my Ancistrus I cut the Zucc into qtrs and leave it in the tank till it's gone, usually 24-36hrs.

Regards

Kana3 · Post by **Kana3** » 31 Jan 2006, 21:47

A slice of Zuchinni is generally gone in 48hrs. But a larger piece I remove by then.

Cucumber I remove at 24hrs. Any longer and it becomes slime, and is near impossible to lift out.

Jackster · Post by **Jackster** » 01 Feb 2006, 00:43

I leave sweet potatoe in for 2 nights (approx. 32 hours). Zucchini or cucumber I only leave in for
1 night (approx. 8-12 hours), although, I have left them in on occasion for as long as 48 hours.

Waldo · Post by **Waldo** » 01 Feb 2006, 01:55

If you could only see what my pleco's did to an entire squash in 10 minutes unpealed in the day. competition seems to stimulate appetite. I would say the time it gets mushy and starts breaking down. Barbie dries her's and it comes out good.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 01 Feb 2006, 09:48

Well, my point is more like this: If the food lasts much longer than 24 hours, you're feeding a too much. Feeding a smaller portion that only lasts around 24 hour is the best idea.

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Mats