Pleco and cucumber

[Waricks]

Is there a special way to prepare a cucumber before putting it in the tank so it pleco can have an extra snack?

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

My Otos only like cucumber (and specifically English), I just cut the skin off and use a veggie clip on the side of the tank. I have not needed to blanch cucumber for them and by the next day the cucumber usually is very soggy or falls apart. 

[Colu]

I peel mine rinse  it under the tap stick a plant weight though it and drop in  the tank 

Edited May 25, 2022 by Colu

[Brian]

Just cut it.   Rubber band it to a rock, veggie clip or whatever.   I have had some fish like the skin.   I figure what’s the harm.   So I leave it.  Cucumber- zucchini- squash….   I would use butternut squash a lot for breeding….   Once the fish realize it is a food source, a lot of fish will eat it.   

[Brandon p]

With the pleco pictured that feeds plant matter and detritus it’s great I’ll have used blanched zucchini and yellow squash blanched. If you Ever buy a new pleco make sure you know if it eats plant matter and detritus water or one of the many types that are more carnivore. I have Observed every pleco I’ve ever owned chewing on a piece of Wood once in a while

Edited May 26, 2022 by Brandon p

[Guppysnail]

I find zucchini makes a little less mess than cucumber.  I get the English seedless cucumbers they seem to make a bit less mess than standard ones. Those I wash slice and put a plant weight on. My BNPs favorite is lightly steamed fresh green beans. I open them to remove the seeds and clip a plant weight on and lay meat side up.  Other veggies I steam lightly orange, yellow and red bell pepper( note their poo will be the color of the pepper), broccoli stems, baby carrots(I steam these a bit longer as they are so hard soft but not mushy.  I use suction cup clips with a plastic spring for romaine lettuce, spinach and kale.  I also sometimes use a bamboo skewer.  

Edited May 25, 2022 by Guppysnail

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

I cut it lengthwise and make spears, blanch it and then throw it in with a terracotta saucer as their food bowl so they always know where to look for food. Nothing is left within 24 hours with my breeding group. 

[Brian]

On 5/24/2022 at 8:12 PM, Brandon p said:

have Observed every pleco I’ve ever owned chewing on a piece of Wood once in a while

I agree.   When I spawn plecos…. Any type I place a small piece of drift wood.  

[Brandon p]

On 5/25/2022 at 8:39 AM, Brian said:

I agree.   When I spawn plecos…. Any type I place a small piece of drift wood.  

I think that spawns of plecos should have wood in with them. I think that it helps get the gut moving> i have seen some that still have a small yolk sac chew that wood. I dont like that cholla wood though.

[HH Morant]

OK, this is zucchini, but I just stick a lead weight through it an drop it in.