I only eats it off of the wall and the inside of the rocks, but it there doesn't appear to be any algae there at all. On top of the rocks it is getting pretty green, but I'm afraid to take it out and clean it because it took me 2 months to get enough algae in there to keep him from starving. I had to supplement him with algae pellets. It seems as if as soon as I got the algae started it took off though and he isn't really doing his job.
2007-03-15 03:55:09 · 8 answers · asked by Mommy to Boys 6 in Pets ➔ Fish
What kind of wood?
2007-03-15 04:06:18 · update #1
There is never a guarantee that a pleco will eat algae from all surfaces, and for the sake of the life of your Pleco - feed him! Algae in the aquarium is not nearly enough in nutrition or quantity to sustain a pleco - algae eating fish need a ton of it, much more then any aquarium can offer - this roughage is relatively low in nutrition and they make it up in quantity. They will readily eat fresh vegetables like cucumber, zucchini, and leafy lettuces and spinach.
It's also important to have some wood in the tank, it helps their digestion.
Algae grown on rocks and decorations in an aquarium can actually look very natural, and makes the different decor look like they all belong in the same place. It's existence only does an aquarium good too. Learn to love algae, not fight it!
*Any driftwood safe for aquariums will do the job, just check out what your fish store has to offer
2007-03-15 04:05:05 · answer #1 · answered by Ghapy 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Honestly algae isn't a bit deal. It's harmless on the rock, and really does some good. Personally I'd ignore it. He is keeping the glass clean then why concern yourself.
PS- Pleco are omnivores and not true herbivores. An Oto, Siamese (not chinese) algae eater, and apple/mystery snails are a better choice for algae control. Just keep in mind a pleco can't live off the algae growing in the tank. (They do eat missed fish food a well.) You should really feed veggies twice a week. Sliced zucchini, sliced broccoli stems, crushed peas, and the like work well. Just realize they often like them soft and wait a couple of day before eating.
2007-03-15 04:28:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have 2 bristlenoses, and they tend to prefer any wafers i stick in there over the tasty bits of algae the tank provides. maybe hold off on the supplemental feeding for a day or two and see if he'll make do with the algae. also, if the algae is too thick for his liking, maybe get some shrimp to work it off a little bit. i have some ghost shrimp that seem to make more of a difference on the algae in my tank than the BNs do!
2007-03-15 04:09:54 · answer #3 · answered by scampyfan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, there are thousands of species of "plecos," and a number of them do not devour a lot algae. case in point, the Zebra Pleco, Hypancistrus zebra, is exceedingly a lot a carnivore. those that do want to devour algae oftentimes don't like a number of style of algae. maximum of them will devour that comfortable yellowish-greenish algae, yet that undesirable-smelling blue-eco-friendly algae and the black hair algae are a not straightforward promote to maximum plecos. So my best guess is that there is a distinct style of algae turning out to be on the rocks and shells, and that's to not your pleco's style. in spite of everything, be particular your pleco is getting adequate to devour. some human beings assume plecos to live on no longer some thing yet algae they scrape from the tank, in spite of the undeniable fact that it truly is seldom adequate foodstuff, and many plecos starve to lack of life in fish tanks.
2016-12-02 01:17:45 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he isn't doing his job because contrary to popular belief...he does not "just" eat algae. He mostly eats the left over fish food that falls to the bottom of the tank. That is why he roots around the rocks but is not cleaning them of the algae. It's best to go ahead and clean your tank because the access algae is not real great for the fish in the tank...Trust me, he will not starve.
2007-03-15 04:05:27 · answer #5 · answered by mom tree 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why hasen't anyone asked WHAT type of Pleco is in question? Are we just assuming its a common? Might be better to know what type the Q is about, then just stating assumptions and throwing out driftwood as an answer. Not all plecos eat algea and not all plecos eat driftwood. What type of pleco are we talking about? And BTW to the OP, when you start seeing alot of algea, its prolly too much, cut the lighting. If its a true algea eater, and hes "sucking" on things, assume there is algea present.
2007-03-15 10:43:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the algae is visible it's probably too thick and lush for his little lips. That's why he'd rather munch the microscopic stuff off the walls.
2007-03-15 04:04:26 · answer #7 · answered by J P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ditto to the second answer, Ghapy has it nailed IMO
MM
2007-03-15 04:12:36 · answer #8 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋