Bn Pleco And Cucumber Question

[poopsydrew]

Hey guys,
just got a 1-1.5 inch bristlenose pleco for 5 us dollars! pretty good where i live because i can never find them. Anyway, I brought him/her home today and put him in my 55 gallon (yes, its cycled ) I have heard they love cucumber but was wondering how to prepare it? i have a veggie clip to sink it if needed. Do i just drop it in? or boil it? also is he large enough to eat a cucumber slice yet? Sorry if these are somewhat silly but nevertheless, i dont know. Any help much appreciated friends.

 

[dwarfgourami]

I usually parboil it (pour boiling water over it) but don't think it's really necessary, just in case there are any chemical nasties on it. He will be fine eating cucumber, just give him a small piece. Courgette is another option, considered more nutritious, and you can also alternate with peas- and basically any non-acid vegetable.

 

[poopsydrew]

I usually parboil it (pour boiling water over it) but don't think it's really necessary, just in case there are any chemical nasties on it. He will be fine eating cucumber, just give him a small piece. Courgette is another option, considered more nutritious, and you can also alternate with peas- and basically any non-acid vegetable.

Cool thanks for your help! How would i go about feeding peas? Parboil? Will they sing to the bottom? sorry for the silly questions but i am new to feeding vegetables to my fish. Thanks a lot dwarfgourami.

 

[Azaezl]

Yeah it's the same thing, I usually put mine in a little container, pour boiling water over, leave for a few mins then deshell and drop in. I also mush some up between my fingers for my other fish to eat, they all go mad for peas.

 

[poopsydrew]

Yeah it's the same thing, I usually put mine in a little container, pour boiling water over, leave for a few mins then deshell and drop in. I also mush some up between my fingers for my other fish to eat, they all go mad for peas.

Azaezl,
thanks a lot. I think i will pick up some peas tomorrow and give my little BN a nice treat. and then he will thank me by pooping. Thanks for your help

Drew

 

[Teelie]

I have 5 BN's in my 55 and just feed them raw cucumber, squash and zucchini on a veggie clip. They have no trouble eating it like that. Same for my Candy Stripe in a 29g. Blanching is supposed to help soften it up but I haven't seen any "backed up" plecs yet and if anything the opposite.

 

[Alps]

I hear that they like broccoli stem a lot also. I just nuke things in a cup of water in the microwave - easier for me....

 

[poopsydrew]

Well....
I am sorry to report that he didnt touch any of the cucumber??!! He swam right by it many times, even running into it while sucking on the glass....I am kinda worried because i know they eat algae and there isnt really any in my tank. I am just worried he is not getting enough to eat. I drop alage wafers in often for the corys but he didnt seems to touch/find those either...Do you guys have any feeding reccomendations? Will he eat frozen bloodworms like the corys once they sink to the bottom? thanks...

Drew

 

[Teelie]

Leave it over night. They usually start off as a nocturnal feeders but gradually will acclimate to day time.

 

[poopsydrew]

Leave it over night. They usually start off as a nocturnal feeders but gradually will acclimate to day time.

Teelie,
first let me say thanks a lot for answering nearly all of my questions tonight! I did leave it in overnight, and then some later the next day and it still went untocuhed. Any advice?

 

[Teelie]

It might be the fish is still acclimating to the aquarium. Sometimes they can take a week or two before they feel comfortable with their surroundings and begin to feed. I wouldn't worry if he doesn't eat for a week or two. Males will go for a few weeks guarding their eggs and then fry before going out to feed for instance. When my pair spawned, I didn't see my male leave his cave for two weeks while the fry grew. Once they were gone though, he went back to eating like normal.

 

[poopsydrew]

It might be the fish is still acclimating to the aquarium. Sometimes they can take a week or two before they feel comfortable with their surroundings and begin to feed. I wouldn't worry if he doesn't eat for a week or two. Males will go for a few weeks guarding their eggs and then fry before going out to feed for instance. When my pair spawned, I didn't see my male leave his cave for two weeks while the fry grew. Once they were gone though, he went back to eating like normal.

Oh really? that makes me feel twenty times better. I was afraid if he didnt eat soon he would get stressed and then who knows what. I will continue to try to feed vegetables and wont freak out if he doesnt eat for this week. Thanks a lot teelie!

Drew

 

[Teelie]

No problem. So long as he looks active and healthy he should be fine. I had a Candy Stripe that had almost no stomach left to him when I first got him. Now he's got a nice little pot belly so they can survive some extreme conditions and recover from them.

 

[wendywc]

I agree. Try again in a few days.

 

[poopsydrew]

No problem. So long as he looks active and healthy he should be fine. I had a Candy Stripe that had almost no stomach left to him when I first got him. Now he's got a nice little pot belly so they can survive some extreme conditions and recover from them.

Great! thanks teelie. Tonight would have been stressful without you! I owe you one. he/she is very active and always swimming around sucking on things so i am guessing thats a good sign. And my BN is ALWAYS pooping so i guess he cant be that hungry thanks again teelie.

Drew