feeding veggies to bristlenose plecos

[gheitman]

I was given some juvenile bristlenose plecos (aka Ancistrus) recently and in addition to the algae in the tank I would like to supplement their diet with veggies. What is the best way to prepare cucumbers and zucchini for feeding these fish as well as some otos I have in other tanks?

 

[black hills tj]

I simply slice about a 1/4" thick piece of cucumber/zuchini, rinse it with tap water, stab it with a fork, and sit it on the bottom of the tank. I remove it after ~24 hours so it doesn't fall apart in the tank.

 

[Alaris]

I think some people blanch the vegetable before putting it in the tank.

 

[black hills tj]

As far as I know, blanching just causes the outer layer(skin) of the vegetable to come off easier. If you are slicing the vegetable, I have not found that it is necessary.

 

[Alaris]

Ah. I didn't know why people recommended blanching veggies. I thought perhaps that it softens the veggie.

 

[mgamer20o0]

they will eat all kinds of things....

 

[Alaris]

What is that?

 

[black hills tj]

What is that?

That's what I am thinking. It almost looks like a sweet potato.

 

[mgamer20o0]

a peach. i mean its not every day feeding but here and there.

 

[black hills tj]

That's interested. I have never thought of feeding them a peach before. I have fed them asparagus, zuchini, and cucumbers.

 

[mgamer20o0]

try different foods worst that can happen is they dont eat them.... also done apricots. my fish water goes to the trees they make some wonderful fruit the ones that fall or has bugs get cut up for fish food.

 

[gheitman]

Right now I am feeding the bristlenose plecos slices of raw zucchini and they appear to like it. I'm going to try some sliced raw cucumbers as well.