hungry plecostomus?

Question

I just bought a plecostomus (those algae eating fishes) a week ago. he is in a tank that is 75 degrees and is well filtered.

The lamp on the tank causes some algae to grow in the tank.
However, it seems like my plecostomus is hungry, but does not eat the algae. I'm guessing it is because the algae grows near the top of the tank, and my Pleco is a bottom dweller and is too afraid to go to the top.
I have clipped down some spinach for him also but he has not eaten any of the spinach either.
So my pleco seems very hungry, but also at the same time not wanting to eat anything.

I am not sure what to do to have him not starve.

Answer 1

If you have just bought him, dont worry about him not eating. Many fish are reluctant to eat when first in a tank. Your pleco will in time learn to cruise the sides of the tank. Remember that being a catfish, a pleco is nocturnal and works the night shift. Eventually it will probably learn to eat during the day and even eat regular fish foods. Remember they like to hide so provide it with atleast one cave for security. If all else fails, try some algae wafers which they usually devour day or night.

Answer 2

You can buy algae wafers, and sinking pellets. Just throw them in before lights out. (Keep in mind pleco are omnivores.) Veggies work fine as well sliced zucchini, sliced broccoli stems, crushed peas... Anything that sink, or becomes water logged and sinks. Spinach should work as well.

Just keep in mind a pleco generally will wait until the food softens. So wait a couple a day before giving up and removing it. Also it may take a while for the pleco to warm up to a new food. My pleco generally wait a day or 2 before going after broccoli stems, but now that they are use to it. Them will go after it in under an hour if they are hungry.

PS- A chunk of drift wood is also good for them. Many pleco like to chew on wood.

Answer 3

He has to get used to his new home just like you do. If he is moving around the bottom of the tank then he IS feeding. Once he becomes accustomed to his tank you will see that he is feeding not just on the bottom but on the rocks, in the sand, on the glass.

They are natural scavangers and I really don't think he is going to let himself starve.

Ask the pet shop where you bought him. By the way the biggest I have seen is about 8 inchs long - pretty good size for one of those dudes.

Answer 4

mine is in a 55 gallon aquarium of live bearing fish that stays between 74 and 78 degrees farenheit. he has no algae unfortunately the tank stays to clean. he is 8 1/2" long. he eats algae disks and english peas. he is doing great. i feed him daily cause he is so big. but only once a week when he was small. but god he leaves poop streams about as long as he is! LOL!

Answer 5

You should give him some algae wafers once in a while. But make sure to give them to him at night or close to nighttime. Since I'm pretty sure they're nocturnal.

Also, make sure you give him a place to hide. I always look in the fishtank in the daytime and see my pleco inside the ship, he loves it there!

Answer 6

They are nocturnal, they don't eat during the day usually. You do need to feed him an algea wafer after you turn off the tank lights at night.

Answer 7

Check you tank at night time. He should be eating the algae then. Are you supplementing him with algae wafers? If his stomach starts to appear caved in you should feed him the wafers right away.

Answer 8

go to the pet store and get some live plants for your tank. it may not be the right kind of algae for your plecko. you can also get algae tabs that the fish may eat.

Answer 9

go to walmart or any fish store and get tubeworms, they come in a bottle in little squares, give him a square in the morning and the evening, he wil be fine, but stop the spinach!! they are very inexpensive, about 3.00 a bottle**