Do i need to blanch lettuce?

Hi All,

Do I need to blanch lettuce before putting it in as either a snail trap/snail food? I have some ramshorn snails I want to get out but the mystery snails will eat it too. Thanks!

 

Hi All,

Do I need to blanch lettuce before putting it in as either a snail trap/snail food? I have some ramshorn snails I want to get out but the mystery snails will eat it too. Thanks!

You don't need to blanch it and it actually decays slower if not blanched. In general, I wouldn't do lettuce as it is mostly water and there are better alternatives such as zucchini.

 

My friend Who works at a lfs never Blanches anything, it removes nutrients, just make sure it’s organic

 

And you do not need to blanch zucchini.

 

I agree lettuce and cucumbers are mostly water and less nutrients than zucchini and spinach. They will definitely work in pinch though. I blanch them for a small bit just so they are a bit softer.

 

I don’t blanch any leafy things. I’ve got unblanched spinach in my tank right now, and my fish aren’t having any problems with it.

 

And you do not need to blanch zucchini.

Was that a question or a statement?

 

statement.

Was that a question or a statement?

 

I always blanch / soften lettuce, spinach, brussels sprouts, brocolli. cumcumber, zuchini, sweet pepper go in raw.

 

My rosy barbs don't eat unblanched spinach, they cannot take a bite off it. I guess I could cut it to pieces, but that's more work than blanching.

 

Knowing most fish eat dead / decaying leaves / soft plants I'd say blanching / softening is a good idea.