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I have had 2 mid-sized zebra pleco's for about 2 months now. They came from an established tank and were doing well.

I moved them into their own 10 gal complete with 80 degree water, decent filtration, and lots of hiding places.

Here's my 2 questions: I have yet to see any proof that they are eating. I've tried just about everything recommended by everyone, from blood worms to brine shrimp, to various pellets, to various veggies, I can't say as I've seen them eat anything, however they don't see to be too skinny, but in reality its hard to tell as they hide so well. Any other feeding suggestions for me?

Also I'm considering moving them into either my 90 gal community which houses, amongst others, a royal, 2 full sized raf cats, 2 brislenose, and 3 rope fish that all share the bottom. each of which has their own space, although the royal and raf's rumble each night over the favorite rock. Would they be ok in this tank? or would they be more suited to go into my 40 gal with the 3 2-3" acei's and 3 1-2" yellow labs...are they alright in a african cichlid tank?

should I just leave them where they are? There are no others in the tank with them.

Hope this all makes sense, and I hope you all have some inspiring advice for me.

Thanks.

31 people have read this and no one can offer at least a little suggestion?

It was suggested to me on another forum to put them in with the cichlids so they won't have to compete with bottom feeders.

Hi saylaveev,

I put in 4 medium size zebras in a african tank, and they dissappeared, like all the time. They never came out or ate. So i couldn't work out who was who when they did come out. I would leave them in their 10 gallon untill they start some activity.

It sounds like you want to see them actually eat. Try not feeding them for a certain amount of time, say 3 days. Then feed with all filters/powerheads off, with lights which you can dim. And with enough time you will witness a zebra "sniff" at some worm and bugger off, sometimes even taking it away with them. Also try feeding less but more frequant like no bigger than 2 zebras' stomach sized pieces, or two blood worms say. This method would require you to feed about 3,4,5,or 6 even of feedings!


Good luck.

Humm interesting things to try out. Thanks for the ideas. I had no idea that keeping the temp up higher would help get them to eat. I keep all my tanks at 80-82...I did have the zebras in with 3 cory's and a betta, but they have since died off, the betta to old age, the cory's probably due to strain of just having arrived at the fish store ( usually I'm better about picking my fish).

Either way. I would be happy not seeing them eat if I at least saw that there was no food left later on. I'll try the no filter on and not feeding for a few days. I always remove any uneaten food the next day (I usually feed after lights out for the night) and do weekly 20% water changes.

I still feel that there might be too much stuff in the tank, I would move them to the 20 gal if I could convince my boyfriend to give up the crayfish. But he's very attached.

Thanks for the help again.