Can a bristlenose pleco survive without real wood?

I currently have only fake wood as real wood will rot.




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They need real driftwood to rasp on as it aids in their digestion and is a necessary part of their diet. Alison

 

Some plecos do need driftwood. Driftwood helps them with their digestion. As far as I know, BN plecos don't really eat it as much as other species of plecos. It would help to have a piece of driftwood for them, even if it's just a small piece. From what I know of wood won't rot. Well it depends what kind of wood you get. I have some MopanI wood and malaysian driftwood and I've had no problems with it.

 

BN Plecos don't Need Driftwood in the same way that wood eating plecos (Like Clown Plecos) do. But I hear it aids in their digestion and it would definitely help to have some Driftwood in the tank. I never had Driftwood rot in my tank, I have all MopanI Driftwood in my tanks.

 

Fully submerged wood does not rot. It needs air to decompose.

 

okay so it's drift wood which he needs to eat? So he doesn't nee to live in it because then I'll just a piece of driftwood.


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Yes just a piece is fine. I have three BN pleccos, one in each tank, and they all rasp on their driftwood every day. I have a piece of MopanI wood in one tank, And a piece of driftwood for each of the other two tanks that I bought from the pet store tanks with an annubias planted on it. Alison

 

Yes just a piece is fine. I have three BN pleccos, one in each tank, and they all rasp on their driftwood every day. I have a piece of MopanI wood in one tank, And a piece of driftwood for each of the other two tanks that I bought from the pet store tanks with an annubias planted on it. Alison

I bought a piece online but they can only deliver it next week will my pleco make it until then?


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My guess is yes but make sure to feed fresh veggies like squashes, dark leafy greens, cukes, sweet potatoes, green beans, etc. Alison

 

My guess is yes but make sure to feed fresh veggies like squashes, dark leafy greens, cukes, sweet potatoes, green beans, etc. Alison

and cabagge and normal potatoes and tomatoes do they eat them too?


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I feed mine cucumbers and zucchini. All my fish go crazy for them it seems. I put 4 slices in yesterday morning and now there is just a little bit left between the rind and the middle.

I have noticed that microwaving them for about 15 seconds makes them softer and my fish tend to get to eating it sooner. If I skipped this step, its several hours before they start eating it. Just make sure you don't put it in the tank while hot, if its too warm run it under cold water. No need to worry about the chlorine in the tap. The minuscule amount that would get in your tank won't harm anything. However if you really want to get picky, you can put it in the fridge for a while so it cools down or pat it dry with paper toweling.

 

I have not tried tomato yet I think it might be too messy. However regular potato and cabbage are fine. I just feed every thing raw and either stick a fork in it or a bamboo squewer in to keep it down. Also carrots and chunks of melon as well. Alison

 

I feed mine cucumbers and zucchini. All my fish go crazy for them it seems. I put 4 slices in yesterday morning and now there is just a little bit left between the rind and the middle.

I have noticed that microwaving them for about 15 seconds makes them softer and my fish tend to get to eating it sooner. If I skipped this step, its several hours before they start eating it. Just make sure you don't put it in the tank while hot, if its too warm run it under cold water. No need to worry about the chlorine in the tap. The minuscule amount that would get in your tank won't harm anything. However if you really want to get picky, you can put it in the fridge for a while so it cools down or pat it dry with paper toweling.

But the problem is I think that plecos can't digest anything if they can't eat wood. So will my pleco be able to eat cucumber even though there is no wood.


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All wood rots in water. Air isn't required, just oxygen, although water has air dissolved in it.

BNs don't need wood. But if all you're concerned about is rotting, it takes a few years for most woods.

 

I think they need it for optimum health, mine spend most of their time on wood

My wood is not. Rotting and its been there fora couple years already. Its still hard enough to be an effective club

 

I think they need it for optimum health, mine spend most of their time on wood

But will he/she is make it without wood for at least a week?

All wood rots in water. Air isn't required, just oxygen, although water has air dissolved in it.

BNs don't need wood. But if all you're concerned about is rotting, it takes a few years for most woods.

And what are the signs of rotting wood?

 

It gradually gets softer. Some wood takes months, most a few years, true bogwood takes a while, say 10-15 years or so before it's obvious. Little bits also start to break off.

 

If you're doing occasional water changes those small pieces shouldnt matter.
better yet, black substrate

 

Felix. How is your BN doing? Did you get your driftwood yet.. Have you tried some vegetables yet? ..Alison

 

Felix. How is your BN doing? Did you get your driftwood yet.. Have you tried some vegetables yet? ..Alison

I'n getting the wood this friday. The pleco is doing well because he get's his fibers from the cucumber


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Glad to hear he is doing well. They are such fun and funny fish to watch. I love my three. Alison

 

If I can add another thought here...

for my pleco the driftwood adds something that vegetables never will, stress relief. Many pleco have natural camouflage mimiccking wood patterns as well as sand. I know that mine are much calmer when. Wood is nearby.
Also, the baby plecos, maybe not a concern if you don't have spawn, always go straight for wood. It an area where they can eat as mcuh as they want without fear of predation.

 

If I can add another thought here...

for my pleco the driftwood adds something that vegetables never will, stress relief. Many pleco have natural camouflage mimiccking wood patterns as well as sand. I know that mine are much calmer when. Wood is nearby.
Also, the baby plecos, maybe not a concern if you don't have spawn, always go straight for wood. It an area where they can eat as mcuh as they want without fear of predation.

Well I must say that I have a piece of fake wood in which he/she likes to hide. He/she also loves to lay in the leaves of the anubia.


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So I finally got my piece if drift wood. It's around 15 cm long and hollow so that's anther hiding place.

But does my pleco eat the wood? In the way that within a year it disapeares in it's stomach?




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The pleco gnaws on it. He won't eat it lol.

 

So does it have to be driftwood? Can't I put other piece of wood in there as long as it is sterile and not rotting?


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What kind of wood are you thinking of adding?

 

What kind of wood are you thinking of adding?

Just a piece of hollow oak or birch branch. Without the bark otherwise it's will get messy and I'll drown any insects inside (before I add it to the tank).


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