Plecos not eating

[Whip]

Hey guys. In a seemingly never ending string of new frustrations I’ve got a new concern. A few weeks ago, I added (2) L201 Snowball Plecos to my 55 gallon tank. They hang near each other but never move much during the day. It’s been hard to tell if they are actually eating anything. They are in the tank with Corydoras Acutus and Red Eye Tetras which are all super peaceful. So last night, I put 2 pieces of ZucchinI in the tank right near the spot they are usually at (back left sponge filter). I left early for work this morning and when I just got home the zucchinI hasn’t been touched. I thought that was a for sure way to entice them. Any advice on feeding them? Or how to be sure they are eating? Put them in another tank briefly to monitor them more or will that possibly freak them out more? Thanks.

 

[Flounderman555]

Try doing it at night when the lights are off they are nocturnal feeders that’s how I get my stubborn bristle noses to eat there pellets do it right before you go to sleep

 

[Whip]

Try doing it at night when the lights are off they are nocturnal feeders that’s how I get my stubborn bristle noses to eat there pellets do it right before you go to sleep

That’s what I did last night. I had the lights off for about 20 minutes before I put the food in. Forgot to check this morning but afternoon... still wasn’t touched

 

[mattgirl]

That’s what I did last night. I had the lights off for about 20 minutes before I put the food in. Forgot to check this morning but afternoon... still wasn’t touched

Sometimes it takes a while for them to find out that it is actually good food. You may be able to entice them to try it by inserting some of the food that you know they will eat into it. Just keep putting the zucchinI in the same place every time until they finally get a taste for it. If you put it in there raw you can leave it for up to 48 hours before you have to remove it and replace it with a fresh piece.

 

[FinalFins]

Maybe try meatier products? Hypancistrus are more of a meat eating pleco than others.

 

[Whip]

Sometimes it takes a while for them to find out that it is actually good food. You may be able to entice them to try it by inserting some of the food that you know they will eat into it. Just keep putting the zucchinI in the same place every time until they finally get a taste for it. If you put it in there raw you can leave it for up to 48 hours before you have to remove it and replace it with a fresh piece.

Ok. Thanks. What about cucumber? I know they are in the meatier side but it’s tough to tell if they are even eating that. 2 days ago I put some blood worms in a syringe and brought it down to make sure it made it to them. I honestly have no idea if they are it. Maybe it’s just me but I always feel like if I linger my fish don’t eat much. I think I’ll set up a camera.

Maybe try meatier products? Hypancistrus are more of a meat eating pleco than others.

Any suggestions? I’m still new to the hobby a bit. I’ve dropped bug bites, some thawed blood worms via syringe, amongst other things. What about live food? That’s still one area I haven’t really looked in to much. Because of the Corydoras down there I can’t be certain who’s eating what. The Corys show no trepidation while perusing Pleco Parkway so I can’t be sure they aren’t cleaning it up.

 

[mattgirl]

Ok. Thanks. What about cucumber? I know they are in the meatier side but it’s tough to tell if they are even eating that. 2 days ago I put some blood worms in a syringe and brought it down to make sure it made it to them. I honestly have no idea if they are it. Maybe it’s just me but I always feel like if I linger my fish don’t eat much. I think I’ll set up a camera.

Elbert, that handsome fellow over there in my avatar isn't too fond of cucumber but he loves his zucchini, specially the skin. Since your type of pleco needs a meatier diet maybe you could stuff some shrimp pellets in the cucumber or zucchini. That way he will get both veggies and some protein at the same time. Just keep an eye on your little guys belly when you see him out and about. You should be able to tell if he is eating if you see a bit of a rounded belly.

 

[FinalFins]

Since your type of pleco needs a meatier diet maybe you could stuff some shrimp pellets in the cucumber or zucchini.

Oooh, creative!

 

[Whip]

Elbert, that handsome fellow over there in my avatar isn't too fond of cucumber but he loves his zucchini, specially the skin. Since your type of pleco needs a meatier diet maybe you could stuff some shrimp pellets in the cucumber or zucchini. That way he will get both veggies and some protein at the same time. Just keep an eye on your little guys belly when you see him out and about. You should be able to tell if he is eating if you see a bit of a rounded belly.

Thanks.