I have one medium sized pleco and one small zebra pleco and both of them are rather skittish, I love to watch them in the evening when they come out to play but as soon as they clock me they zoom off and hide. I want to sit and enjoy watching them. How can I coax them into being my pals?!!
2007-05-06 08:54:58 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
Plecos are almost always a bit skittish. Turning the tank light out and feeding them veggies will help keep them out so that you can see them better.
MM
2007-05-06 09:21:21 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Keep your lights down, don't sit too close to the tank and stay quiet and still. Most plecos are skittish and tend to be nocturnal anyway.
Try putting a slice of cucumber or courgette (weighted down)near the front of the tank as plecos often go for these and it would encourage them to come near the front of the tank.
2007-05-09 12:51:30 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is kind of difficult, because the type of fish is nervous anyway. How long have you had them? The longer- the more used to you they will get. Also, when watching them sit about half a metre away from the tank at least, and stay still. If you wait, they will come out. Then try not to make any sudden movements, even as you leave. As they get used to you feeding them and cleaning the tank they should get happier about seeing you- mine now get skittish if I'm NOT in the room and someone else is; they're quieter when I'm about. (Wierdly).
Also, sometimes have the light off (assuming you normally have it on) when you watch them- they get a little more relaxed and feel safer when it's darker normally.
2007-05-06 16:03:31 · answer #3 · answered by Kat . 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As everyone has indicated, Plecos are skittish , solitary and basically nocturnal in nature. I have 11 different types in my tank and can only see a couple of them moving around freely at any time, mostly around feeding time. So, you've received all good answers, *but* the veggie thing will not work for the L046 Zebra pleco. They are not vegetarians/algae eaters. Try a chunk of frozen beef heart or something similar for it's meat eating nature.
2007-05-06 16:39:53 · answer #4 · answered by chaos_and_amber2 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
plecos are naturally a skittish kind of fish when they are younger. they are naturally a nocturnal animal and if they have a bright light they may not come out.
if you tank has a two light hub or anyway that you can put two lights in the tank you can buy a Marine Blue Actinic tube this will give a nocturnal light effect and may bring you plecos out.
this is perfectly harmless to the fish and can be used as a secondary light system.
2007-05-06 16:21:47 · answer #5 · answered by kookie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
try putting a piece of cucumber on the bottom of the tank at the front and sit quiet
2007-05-06 16:07:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont know how you would do that with a fish. get a puppy or a kitten and make little pleco. costumes then you will have pleco buddys
2007-05-06 16:01:56 · answer #7 · answered by me 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋