Fresh veggies?

[groan]

a couple days ago i decided to try to feed my plecos some cucumber.
i read a bit on the web how to do it so i cored out a couple slices (removed seeds) and put a weight through the now cucumber doughnut to stop them from floating to the top.
The cichlids i have were somewhat intrested but never ventured to try it.
i left them overnight and when i looked to see what was left i was not surprised to see them untouched.
What's the general consensus on this?
Should I keep introducing it until they figure out it is food?
Should I be worried that the africans will eat it? (3 yellow labs and 4 afra 'jalo reef')
should i try feeding them something else?
Should I bother with this at all?

Thanks!

[beowulf]

Cucumbers are mostly water I would look more at zucchini or blanched romaine lettuce which have more nutrients.  I would not see a problem with the other fish having some as my loaches and firemouths have picked at it, especially the loaches.

[fender316]

I never had success with cucumber or romaine lettuce but my plecos always love zuchini, try to feed them some every week or 2

[groan]

OK, I'll try that...thanks!
i hope they like it

[toomanyfish]

My pleco's like Spinach.  Angel's pick at it too.

[beowulf]

My pleco's like Spinach.  Angel's pick at it too.

True forgot about that one.  Another that my fish like is banana though I try and not keep that in the tank more then a few hours.

[groan]

does the zuch float like the cucumber did?
What do you guys do to keep it down?

[beowulf]

does the zuch float like the cucumber did?
What do you guys do to keep it down?

It floats.  I rigged a suction cup to a clip and it hold it on the side of the tank.

[garnpet]

I use these with English cucumbers (not as many seeds).  My plecos devour a slice within 12 hours.

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18334/si1379929/cl0/leesvegiclipclownfish

[groan]

Great! Next time i'm out there i'll look for them!
I guess i better get myself a membership..i'll be doing a lot of shkopping in the next few months...should have done it a long time ago.

[Al]

I have found success with zucchini - but it is better appreciated when you blanch it - it breaks down the cellulose a bit and makes it easier to eat. I feed it to my tropheus and petrochromis tanks in this way with great success. You can oil it for about 3-4 minutes or microwave it for 2-3. Just don't get it to turn to mush. I also pull out the seeds.
Good luck.

[Al]

I meant "boil" not "oil it in the previous post.

[darkdep]

Definetly try zucchini.  I don't feed it often, because I intentionally don't feed my plecos to keep them interested in cleaning.  When I have tho, the plecos love it.  The Africans pick at it too, especially my Yellow Labs.

Not surprised you got nowhere with Cucumber.

[Laura]

I too blanch zucchini to get it to sink and make it easier to eat - I also feed green leafy things (collard, dandelion, mixed greens) which have either been blanched or frozen.
It's appreciated by my pleco, goldies, SAE, cherry shrimp, snails and surprisingly, I find my khulis having a munch on it every now and then.
I've also tried very limited fruit, peeled peas and beans (not just the hull, but the skin on them too) - I've found that cucumber is not a hit in my tanks.

[Jesse]

 I will put a piece of romaine lettuce or spinach and some zuchini in my tank once every two weeks. Its always gone or if not damn close! The loaches and plecos especially love the zuchini, and the rest of them go straight for the leafy greens.

[groan]

i've found that the suction cup tube holders (small one) work well as a clamp!
i just put it in so we'll see if they go for it.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[fishycanuck]

I lashed out and bought veggie clips from Big Al's a while back. Helps keep the zuke from floating, and I can enjoy the show better 

[groan]

i went down this morning to check on it and it showed signs of having been nibbled on. The suction cup also came loose but i guess the weight of it is keeping the zucchini from floating.
yay!

[gonzobluefuzz]

I just nail  mine down to my gravel with a piece of bamboo shish kebab skewer or jumbo "club sandwich" toothpics. Keeps it down but some times you need a couple of pokes to find the sweet spot in the gravel

cheerz

G

[babblefish1960]

I saw the funniest thing at jetstream's tanks, he puts a plant weight through the edge of the food, and throws it in, and has the weight tied to monofilament and the other end is available at the top of the tank. This way, the clever fellow can change the zucchini without ever having to stick his arms in the tank and get wet. Clever.