My pleco never eats any of the cucumber or zuchini or anything else i feed it. But it eats the algae on the tank. Ive had it about 8 a year. Also, i do have driftwood in my tank (or so i think) i got it at petsmart so it could be synthetic because it sank right way, but on the other hand, when i used to clean it with a toothbrush some redish colored water came off, so im assuming that it is real wood. Also, my java moss grows on it, so wouldn't it have to be real? Thanks.