feeding plecos

**rookie** · 09-19-2009, 05:00 PM

i recently got 3 new young bn's and i just want to make sure they are getting enough to eat. i have been putting in two waffers at night and they have been gone in the morning but i dont know if the glo lights are eating them. the glo lights seem to pick at them. i have yet to put veg's in there i think im going to get some today but how the heck do i know if these guy are eating enough

**KingFisher** · 09-19-2009, 05:05 PM

Look at their bellies when they are on the glass. If they look sunken in, they are not getting enough food. You should be putting veggies in there a couple times a week, and the algae wafers on most other nights. Make sure you have wood in the tank as this is an important part of their diet as well. They will also eat algae, but most tanks do not have enough to keep them fed. Try blanched zucchini, cucumber and spinach. Mine like all those. I recently found out that mine also love papaya.

**Goodbye** · 09-19-2009, 05:07 PM

When I put in algae wafers or shrimp pellets for my BNs, the Salvinis always pick at them, but ssince its to large for them to eat they eventually give up. Then the BNs finish it. Over the years, all my fish have pecked at the algae wafers and various other foods that I put in for the bottom feeders, but hte other fish always give up and the bottom feeders get their chance. Make sure to offer fresh veggies though.

As KF said above, check the belly when they are on the glass.

**rookie** · 09-19-2009, 05:20 PM

just as i read that the albino was on the glass, bellys look full but im still getting some veggies today. just one last question lets say im putting a cucumber do i slice the oustide harder part or can i also feed them the softer insides.

**KingFisher** · 09-19-2009, 05:28 PM

you can slice it and leave the peel on and just remove the peel the next day. It will help hold the cucumber together so pieces don't end up going all over your tank. You will also need a weight to hold them down. They sell clips for this purpose or you can use a fork.

**rookie** · 09-19-2009, 05:36 PM

great thanks. i already bought a clip it seems i make more trips to the lfs and petsmart then the grocery store lol
ps i have a small peice of driftwood in there alredy thanks for the heads up