encouraging algae/supplementing diet, l148's

[chris_1127]

I'm a bit concerned that my l148 rubbernose plecs arent getting enough to eat - theyre in a planted tropiquarium with a plant-gro and normal tube so before they went in there was a huge algae problem. they soon cleared this, but one of them is looking quite thin now - his abdomen is looking much more concave then when i first had him. I've tried algae wafers, potato, courgette and spinach but they dont touch any of them. Any suggestions for how i can encourage more algae growth, or other stuff i can try supplementing their diet with?

 

[bunjiweb]

have you tried feeding it after dark?

I feed my plecs after i have put the lights out. They all seem well fed and no thin bellies.

Another thing is to feed something that other fish wont enjoy as much, such as cucumber etc.

Ben

 

[WILDER]

What does it look like when the fish goes to the toilet as it's soundling like internal parasites, also is the anus inflamed and red in colour.

 

[chris_1127]

theyre in with puffers so theres no competition for food at all, its just that courgette, potato, spinach etc goes uneaten. Theres no redness, or white stringyness to the poo either, just looking "sunken" around the belly. They are still chomping along the glass a lot, but theres no visible algae in the tank at all at the moment

 

[bunjiweb]

Have you tried using "Algae Wafers" sometimes called "Variety Wafers" or similar. They contain algae and other plant extracts and various other things. I feed them to my loaches, catfishes and plecs. They all enjoy them, although be careful not to use them too much as it can stop the plecs enjoying the algae on the glass.

Ben

 

[WILDER]

Don't want to panic you but just read this to make sure.
Mycobacterium species (Tuberculosis)



A. Gram positive, acid fast rods (M. marinum, M. chelonei and M. fortuitum are the most common Mycobacterium species involved.)



B. All species of fish are affected. This disease affects both saltwater and freshwater aquariums.



C. Clinical signs of tuberculosis are quite variable. The most common signs are anorexia, emaciation, vertebral deformities, exophthalmus, and loss of normal coloration. Numerous variably sized granulomas are often observed in various organs throughout the body. Often numerous acid-fast bacteria are observed in the granulomas.



D. The aquatic environment is believed to be the source of initial infection with fish becoming infected by ingestion of bacterial contaminated feed or debris. Once an aquarium is infected with this disease, it is difficult to remove except by depopulation of the aquarium and disinfecting the tank. Remember this is a zoonotic disease (atypical mycobacteriosis).



E. Atypical mycobacteriosis may manifest itself as a single cutaneous nodule on the hand or finger or may produce a regional granulomatous lymphadenitis of the lymphatics near the original nodule. Occasional local osteomyelitis and arthritis may also occur.

 

[chris_1127]

no theres no other signs, lesions, bending of spine or discolouration or anything, still both very active, and the puffers are just as greedy as ever so i dont think its tb. i'm just concerned cos theyre such effective algae eaters that theyre not getting enough nutrition. They wont touch the brand of algae wafers that i use on my other plecs (hikari i think). Just wondering if anyone else kept these fish and if so what theyd feed on.

 

[bunjiweb]

I feed mine hikari wafers... they all seem to enjoy it.

Just feed them after dark like i said, the puffers wont get much of a look in then.

Dont worry about infections etc, people always jump to this conclusion when a "sunken belly" is mentioned..

Ben

 

[WILDER]

Best to make sure on these things as it's possible, best to rule them out first, wasn't meant to upset you, just wanted you to make sure.

 

[Paul_MTS]

try a few lance fish. none of my plecs can resist chomping away on a nice lance fish!!

have you tried any meatier foods aswell? bloodworm, shrimp, prawns, cockles and museels for example.

 

[chris_1127]

i give the puffers a cube of bloodworms a day so they may be getting some of these, might try a cube after dark just for the plecs perhaps - good thinking