Firecracker

OK, I know about the cucumbers/zucchinis/etc. But how often should you give them a piece? And if they are eating that, will they ignore the dropped food/waste/algae/etc that we get them to clean up? How do you know if they're getting enough food or not?

susitna-flower

When you see the pleco working on the glass, check out his tummy, if it looks full and plump everything is fine, he's eating and getting enough......a sunken tummy is not good....

I only feed my pleco's veggies if they aren't getting enough algae. Some feel they are good to feed several times a week. I do add algae wafers if the tank algae is not visable. I will feed one wafer per pleco once a day in this case.

This makes sure they get the ruf***e they need, and are still looking for tid bits. They will also get algae you can't see....

Firecracker

I don't have any visible algae in that tank because it's fairly new, so he should probably get a piece of cucumber 2-3 times per week then?

susitna-flower

Depends on the size of the fish. I would use cucumber or zucchini twice a week, and algae wafers every day. A small wafer for small fish 2-3". My tanks get a couple of large wafer every day as most of my snails, shrimp, mollies, and most other fish help to eat them....even the bala sharks! Better to feed than to let your pleco suffer.

What kind is it? Do you have driftwood? Many need wood also, depending on the species.

Firecracker

He's a clown, and he does have driftwood.