When u keep plecos, one way or another, there is a chance that you will encounter this problem.

SUNKEN EYES AND STOMACH !

Well, i will like to let you guys know how to go about it. The most important thing is to catch this problem when its not that bad. This problem usually starts because of a few factors.

• Stress
• Not eating or not enough
• other faster or more aggresive fish in the tank

This is a serious problem as the fish will degenerate and eventually pass off.

To get the guys eating again is quite tricky and u should be willing to spend a bit extra...not much but rather if u can find it or not. U can feed the usual algae chips but that will degenerate the water if left over night...so its a no no. The only option available, tat is also a common favourite...zuchinis & carrot. Cut a small amount, just enough for 3 days, stuck it near where ur plecos hide. Switch the lights out for 3 days...no feeding of any algae tablets. Just pretend they are not there.

If on the third day you see that the plecos are a bit fatter in their stomach region, then the chances for their recovery is very good. If the zuchini is not touched and the plecos are getting even skinnier, the chances is basically zilch. That means that it will die. This is because you have only noticed the problem at the last stages and there is little that you can do about it.

hope this helps...

Dear Plecowhacko,

Thank you for posting a very valuable advise.
Can you tell us where to get 'Zuchini' around KL?
Also, what is the local name for 'Zuchini'?

Cheers!

BT Lee

Zuchini ar ??? Zuchini is locally called as zuchini also la...well thats wat i see on the price tag.

Got mine from Tesco Bukit Tinggi...I'm sure the other tesco's will carry it too.
Zuchini is sweeter than the normal cucumber and the pleco tend to like it a lot.

aiyo zuchini is italian cucumber...glamour only...dark green skin. sometimes huge...

__________________
So many aquascapes, so little time...http://www.my-mac.net/forum/

Yar yar...its a kind of cuke la...
Royals like the skin and the other sp. likes the fleshy content.

Zucchini is a squash--the vegetable is elongated with white flesh and green bumpy skin. There is also yellow zucchini (more difficult to find and a little sweeter). This is people food that is loved by fish that are omnivours. I chop up zucchini, carrot and shell peas (and chop the peas into small, bite size pieces), cook slightly and put into mini ice cubes to be used as daily food (this is in addition to protein -- shrimp, etc.) for my goldfish. They also like Romaine lettuce. Plecos are omnivours and should love this also. Hope that this helps.