Adding plicos to your aquarium is a great way to keep it algae-free.A type of catfish called the pleco is often housed in aquariums.Your home aquarium won't be enough to keep your pleco full.You will need to feed the algae wafers.You can feed plicos meat, like shrimp and bloodworms, as well as vegetables like zucchini and kale.
Step 1: At all times, keep the driftwood in the tank.
They can get a lot of fiber from driftwood.It is important to provide several pieces of driftwood in the aquarium at all times.The small pieces of driftwood help with the digestion of the pleco.If you want to make sure it's safe for your pleco, choose real driftwood sold at fish or aquarium stores.
Step 2: Feed your wafers.
You should supplement the algae in the tank with wafers to make sure it has enough to eat.The wafers sink to the bottom of the tank to make finding them easier.You can find algae wafers at your local store.
Step 3: Add meat to your diet.
omnivores are people who eat plants and animals.You will enjoy earthworms, bloodworms, and shrimp.You have the option of choosing between fresh or frozen varieties.There are arthropods at pet shops and fish stores.
Step 4: You should feed your fruit and vegetables.
A variety of vegetables will be enjoyed by your pleco.cantaloupe, honeydew melon, breadfruit, and papaya are small pieces of fruit, so you shouldn't give them acidic fruits like oranges and tomatoes.Simply wash and slice the fruit or veggies into small pieces.
Step 5: Take your pleco's age and size into account.
If you have a small juvenile pleco, they may be able to get by on the leftovers from feeding other fish.The pleco needs to be fed more often if it is the only fish in the tank.As your pleco matures and grows, it will need more variety in its diet and a larger amount of food.Young people can eat one wafer per day.The mature size of the pleco is 24 inches.
Step 6: After feeding, observe your pleco.
If you give food to your pleco, watch to see if they eat it.If your pleco begins to snack on the food, they may need to be fed more often.They may need to be fed less often if they ignore the food.
Step 7: Offer at least one wafer per day.
Your home aquarium will not be able to keep up with demand.If you want to eat at night, give your pleco an algae wafer before you go to bed.If the wafer is completely eaten by the time you wake up, you can give another wafer to your friend.
Step 8: Meat can be given to your pleco once or twice a week.
The occasional meat treat will be enjoyed by your pleco.Give your earthworms, bloodworms, or shrimp once or twice a week.You have the choice of fresh, frozen, or pelleted meats.Before putting fresh meat into a tank, cut it into small pieces.Give your pleco a few small cut-up raw shrimp or several shrimp pellets, or one cut up earthworm or bloodworm as one serving.
Step 9: Fruit and vegetables can be fed once or twice per week.
They need to stay healthy by consuming fruit and veggies.Fruit and vegetables can be offered once or twice per week.Attach an aquarium weight to the bottom of the tank and cut them up into small pieces.You can attach the food to the side of the tank with an aquarium clip.Give your pleco a serving the size of a silver dollar, such as one slice of zucchini or a small piece of broccoli.
Step 10: Only one pleco will be kept in the aquarium.
When placed in the same aquarium, catfish fight each other.It is best to only keep one pleco in an aquarium at a time.Most other types of fish, except for oscars and piranhas, do well in a tank with placos.
Step 11: They should have plenty of room.
plecos can grow up to 46 cm in the aquarium.You will need an aquarium larger than 100 gallons.If you have a tank of less than 100 gallons, you can choose a smaller species of pleco.Clowns can live comfortably in a 20-gallon tank.
Step 12: It's a good idea to set up a regular light schedule.
They need darkness to signal that it is time to move around and eat.Keeping your aquarium lights on constantly is not ideal.To replicate natural light cycles, set a timer on your aquarium lights.
Step 13: There are hiding spots in the tank.
It's a good idea to hide places so you can feel safe.They will hide a lot during the day.Put small tunnels or caves designed for fish in the aquarium.
Step 14: Don't fill the tank all the way up.
If you fill the tank all the way to the top, the plecos will be forced to gulp air in order to improve their strength.They may not be able to get the air they want or they may hurt themselves if the tank is full.
Step 15: The lid on the tank needs to be secured.
If the tank has a loose lid, plicos may be able to jump out of the water and escape, potentially killing themselves.The lid on your tank needs to be secured.