Your Bottomfeeders' Favorite Foods?

[magpie]

Hey there,

I have some stiphodon gobies, kuhlis, and farlowella. I currently feed some Omega One shrimp pellets, Omega One veggie rounds/wafers, and Hikari Algae wafers. I also give some occasional blanched zucchini. (And frozen foods, as well as live brine shrimp, which when they make it to the bottom, will get eaten at least by the gobies and kuhlis.)

I have found that the algae wafers really aren't eaten as readily as anything else. I realize that I only have one true algae eater, the farlowella, but they much prefer the zucchini and the veggie rounds. Also, when they aren't eaten right away, they kind of quickly break down, vs the veggie wafers which hold their shape longer. The gobies are algae eaters but they seem to go crazy over the shrimp pellets and will munch up brine shrimp very happily, so they definitely like some of each.

Has anyone else had similar experiences? Are there any algae wafer brands/types that others have had good luck with? I figured the more variety the better. Do I even need a true algae wafer?

What else should I add? Does anyone here feed peas, and if so, how do you feed them - do you blanch them, take off the skin, or...?

Thanks!

In this photo you can kind of see what I mean about the algae wafers breaking down quickly. Seems like it's messier. (and you can see a twig butt hanging off of a zucchini)

 

[Fishy friend2]

I have found that my bottom feeders love frozen bloodworms the most

 

[Keeper Of Cichlids]

My senegal loves blood worm, frozen shrimp and prawns!
My plec will eat anything and everything that falls to the bottom.
His favorite is broccoli though.

 

[magpie]

I definitely feed bloodworms! My kuhlis go bonkers over them. I pipette them and are sure to get some to the bottom.

I guess I'm more wondering about the algae eaters like the farlowella and gobies. I know the kuhlis will eat pretty much anything they can find, even the zucchini! The gobies won't touch the zucchini, it seems.

Do you cook the broccoli or feed it raw?

 

[Keeper Of Cichlids]

I simply boil it, my pleco hates it raw.

 

[magpie]

OK, good to know - do you freeze a bunch after boiling or do you just do a small piece at a time?

With my zucchini I blanch it - boil for a short time, like 5 min I think? Then plunge into ice water. Then lay it all out on a cookie tray, and freeze. I just pop in the microwave for a few secs before putting it in the tank. Makes it really easy. I wonder if I can do something like that with the broccoli.

 

[Keeper Of Cichlids]

I just do a little bit at a time.