Good home made foods for Placo's?

[Grindking89]

I was wondering if anyone knows of any good home foods for Placo's or all fish in general.

My Placo Catfish is always hiding on the back of a piece of drift wood. He's not dead, because he shifts positions a lot, I would just like him to come out once and a while!

I have heard about boiling cucumber or zuccini and feeding them that by tying it down with something. Would this work? Any thoughts on why hes always hiding?

its a 45 gallon tank, with angels, a clown loach (who is also always hiding), mollies, tetras and plattys

[LadyHatred]

Pleco's are nocturnal. If you turn off your tank lights and sit and wait, you might see him swimming about.

Do you feed him algae wafers? These are a good suppliment to any algae in the tank he might already be feeding on.

Also, cucumbers, zuccini, lettuce....stuff like that, when blanched and weighted down are a nice -treat-.

[Grindking89]

Pleco's are nocturnal. If you turn off your tank lights and sit and wait, you might see him swimming about.

Do you feed him algae wafers? These are a good suppliment to any algae in the tank he might already be feeding on.

Also, cucumbers, zuccini, lettuce....stuff like that, when blanched and weighted down are a nice -treat-.

I don't feed him wafers, but I can try that. The one thing I worry about though, is what if I feed him wafers, but he isn't eating them? Will that not throw off the parameters in my tank?

Also, how would you suggest weighing down a nice treat for him? And if I do weight something down for him, say a piece of lettuce or cucumber, and he doesn't immediately go after it, is it safe to leave it over night in the tank to see if he munches on it when the tank is dark? Can this harm the tank?

[LadyHatred]

Your lfs will sell algae wafers for him. Drop one in when you turn your lights off. If it is still there in the morning, carefully scoop it out with your net. I say carefull because when they are soaked, they kinda get mushy and break apart easily.

As for weighing down a treat, you can just stick a fork in it, or tie it to an aquarium safe rock. When you blanch it (blanching: put a slice of cucumber/zuccini or whatever in enought water to cover it, then zap it in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Make sure its COOL before putting in the tank. lol ) it will normally sink. However, if you have a current in there and the pleco starts on it, it might float off on him.

Yes it is perfectly okay to leave it in the tank over night. :D Like I said, they are nocturnal. They do their "thing" in the cover of darkness.

[Grindking89]

Your lfs will sell algae wafers for him. Drop one in when you turn your lights off. If it is still there in the morning, carefully scoop it out with your net. I say carefull because when they are soaked, they kinda get mushy and break apart easily.

As for weighing down a treat, you can just stick a fork in it, or tie it to an aquarium safe rock. When you blanch it (blanching: put a slice of cucumber/zuccini or whatever in enought water to cover it, then zap it in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Make sure its COOL before putting in the tank. lol ) it will normally sink. However, if you have a current in there and the pleco starts on it, it might float off on him.

Yes it is perfectly okay to leave it in the tank over night. :D Like I said, they are nocturnal. They do their "thing" in the cover of darkness.

Great! I will try blanching a little treat for him when I get home.

Thanks so much:ssmile:

[troy]

Most algae wafers don't have much algae in them and it would be the equivalent of people eating potato chips their entire lives.Try feeding your pleco summer squash, cucumber, peas, and spinach.

[Gemini]

You don't need to blanch cucumber. I use a bamboo skewer with a fishing sinker stuck on the bottom. I cut cucumber in half and push it on and toss it in. I leave it 12-14 hours and my BN eats all but the skin.

[toddnbecka]

a clown loach (who is also always hiding)
Most likely because clown loaches are social fish, and don't like being alone. They're best kept in groups, the more the merrier, and given proper care will eventually grow much too large (12"+) for your tank.

[Grindking89]

Most likely because clown loaches are social fish, and don't like being alone. They're best kept in groups, the more the merrier, and given proper care will eventually grow much too large (12"+) for your tank.

Well this is something I have thought about, and it leaves me in a predicament.

Do I stick with one, as they are too big for my tank, or do I get him friends and basically create an overstocked environment.

[Gemini]

You return him or buy a bigger tank and get him friends.

[karbomb]

You return him or buy a bigger tank and get him friends.
i agree i would see if you can get credit from a local LFS for him. or get a bigger tank...100g+

[toddnbecka]

I'd swap out the fish if you don't have tankspace for it. Just about any lfs would likely be willing to trade for a more suitable fish.

[Jeffbdd]

Just another idea why they might hide. Do u have many rocks or trees or any cover for them besides what they hide behind. More cover will make the fish comfortable and come out more but dont clutter the tank at the same time.