Not Enough Algae!

[IdahoAquariumKid]

There's not enough algae in my 30 gallon for my pleco to eat!

Is there some way I can grow algae for him to eat?
He's gotten kinda thin within the last 2 weeks and I'm really worried!

I read somewhere that I can grow a type of algae if I leave a clear container full of water out in the sun, but I'm not sure of the kind of algae or whether or not he will eat it.


Please help!
~Sydnie

 

[superguppygirl]

Go to pet store and buy algae wafers! they are fairly inexpensive and won't need much to supplement his eating until you can grow more algae, personally I just leave my curtains open and it grows, so don't know sorry

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

Algae wafers +1

 

[IdahoAquariumKid]

I had algae wafers, but my mom decided to give them to her plecos instead.

Algae doesn't grow very fast in my room because it doesn't get much light... but I'll leave the curtain open and go get algae wafers when i have the money.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

What veg have you got at home? A piece of zucchini (courgette) slice open to expose the soft central bit will be enjoyed.

If you had algae wafers and your mum took them, then your mum should be giving you money to replace the algae wafers to your fish does not starve to death, if you do not have money!

 

[fluttermoth]

You can also feed him split broccoli stalks, lightly cooked deshelled peas, slices of apple or tomato (no seeds though!) or melon rinds, with a bit of the flesh left on.

I agree your mm should replace your algae wafers for you if she's used them up though!

 

[Flubberlump]

You'll probably find that he's healthier if you feed him a variety of vegetables as well as algae wafers too. A varied diet is always good. I don't buy veg specifically for my fish, I just give them a bit of whatever I have in the fridge. Zuccini is definitely a favourite though.

What species of pleco is he?

 

[IdahoAquariumKid]

He is a common pleco.
We have 3 common plecos and a weird one that my sister has.

I've attempted to feed my pleco lettuce once, but she didn't eat it.
She's really shy. She likes to hide in the back of my tank until she either thinks there's no one in the room or its night time and the tank light and my bedroom light are turned off.

Sometimes when my cories are done eating, she'll come out and eat whatever they don't.

I can cut up an apple or a tomato after school if its nice outside. I can feed the rest to my rabbits when I work with them. But it snowed really bad outside, so he might have to wait till tomorrow.

I'll talk to my mom about getting algae wafers. I need them and she needs them fir her pair of common plecos.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Plecos also enjoy driftwood.

 

[xingumike]

Don't feed tomato, waste of time and too acidic

 

[Cazgar]

Put a piece of wood or stone/slate in a bowl of tank water on a window ledge that gets some sun.
In a few days you should start to see some algae growth

 

[FishFanatic04]

Lightly boiled carrot works too.