How to Feed Zucchini to Pleco
Plecostomus fish, dubbed "algae eaters" by hobbyists and "plecos" by aficionados, comprise a large group of species that occur in a wide variety of sizes and patterns. Interestingly, says Fish Lore.com, a widely-held superstition among enthusiasts says that the fish must be referred to only as "plecos", for if the full, scientific name is uttered aloud the fish will die. Plecos enjoy grazing on a variety of vegetables, meats, insects and wood, and should not be expected to thrive solely on aquarium algae. Vegetables like zucchini are vital to the growth and continued good health of your plecos.
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Things You'll Need
- 2 cookie sheets
- Plastic wrap
- Large bowl
- Ice cubes
- Cold water
- Zucchini
- Cool water
- Sharp kitchen knife
- Medium-sized pot of water
- Colander
- Freezer bag
- Vegetable clip
Instructions
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Prepare the Zucchini
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1
Line two cookie sheets with plastic wrap. Fill a large bowl with ice cubes and cold water. Set aside.
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2
Wash 1 or 2 whole zucchini in cool water.Using a sharp kitchen knife, slice zucchini crosswise into 1/4-inch thick slices.
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3
Place a medium-sized pot of water on your stove over high heat. Bring to a boil.
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4
Drop zucchini slices into the boiling water. Boil for 3 minutes.
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5
Remove zucchini immediately from heat. Pour through a colander to drain water.
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6
Plunge the zucchini into the bowl of ice cubes and water. Make sure that it is completely submerged. Allow the zucchini to sit in the water for one minute.
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7
Remove the zucchini from the ice cube/water bath and line them up on your plastic wrap-lined cookie sheets. Place in the freezer for approximately one hour or until frozen solid.
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8
Place frozen zucchini slices into a plastic freezer bag and store in your freezer.
Feeding Zucchini to Plecos
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9
Feed your plecos their zucchini in the evening. Plecos are typically nocturnal feeders.
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10
Remove one piece of frozen zucchini from your freezer. Thaw at room temperature.
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11
Attach the thawed zucchini to a vegetable clip. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the proper and secure attachment of food to the clip.
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12
Attach the vegetable clip to the aquarium glass by its suction cup. Be sure to place the vegetable clip close to the bottom of your aquarium where plecos like to feed.
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13
Remove the vegetable clip and any uneaten zucchini after 24 hours. If left too long in the aquarium, the zucchini will become mushy and inedible. This will have a negative effect on water quality.
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14
Repeat Steps 2 through 5 every evening.
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1
Tips & Warnings
For large numbers of plecos, use additional vegetable clips each evening. The number of clips you use will, of course, depend on the number of plecos in your aquarium.
Plecos also enjoy cucumbers, green beans, broccoli, squash, peas or other green vegetables. Feed a variety of veggies for healthier, happier plecos.
Do not overfeed your plecos. Overfeeding can be fatal to fish and destructive to your aquarium's environmental balance. Be diligent about removing uneaten food every morning.
