New Plec not eating

[PlecoCollector]

I finally got myself an L014 on Tuesday, but the little guy doesn't seem to want to eat. When I purchased him, I specifically asked the seller if they were eating and what they were eating. He said they were and that he fed them zucchini and something else (can't remember).

He's very active and 'chews' on driftwood, but his belly is slowly sinking in. I've tried algae wafers, shrimp pellets, and zucchini, but alas, I've yet to see him eat. Trouble is, I have rather aggressive eaters in my tank, so very few bloodworms or other frozen goodies reach the bottom, and if they do, my Syno gets 'em.

I'm at a lost as to what I can feed him and how I can get him to eat it.

 

[GeraldTheMouse]

Do you have a less aggressive eaters tank you could put him/her in?

 

[PlecoCollector]

Sadly no, besides my Zebras.

There's no hiding spots in my 3g.
I'm afraid to put anything in with my Zebs for fear of them either beating him up or he beating them up.
And my L001 is a meany who killed my last Common, or I'd put him in my 40g.
My last attempt at a QT tank led to 4 dead Clown Loaches, so I'd prefer to avoid that if at all possible.

 

[Dino]

Eatting may not be the problem.
A slowly sinking belly probably means it was not feed for too long while in the process of getting to you and all it's gut fauna are dead.
Keep it in a tank with other plecos and there is a chance it will ingest some of the bacterium released from the other fish, ( yeah, I know, gross, but it may save your fish).

Best of luck,
Dino

 

[Pure]

It also could be internal parasites.

 

[PlecoCollector]

He was pretty plump when I got him and I know the guy had him for a few weeks prior, so I assume he was eating before.

I'll keep giving them zucchini and see if he goes for it.

 

[Dan Steveo]

good luck... i hope all goes well for you. the plec is a nice kind and i never knew about it till now

 

[PlecoCollector]

good luck... i hope all goes well for you. the plec is a nice kind and i never knew about it till now

Thank you, I appreciate it
L14s are my favorite kind of Pleco next to the Zebras. Big Al's used to have a full-grown one; they're absolutly beautiful no matter their size!

 

[Pure]

If all else fails try the shrimp mix I decsribe in my chronicles thread. I've yet to see a pleco carnivorus or herb not eat it with gusto. A small amount of "fresh" garlic can help in case there are peristites at work here.

Remember most exotic plecs are wild caught.

 

[PlecoCollector]

I will have to give your little mix a try I just worry that my other fish will go after it, especially my Rainbows and Flagfish. Worth a shot though, right?

He is wild caught- that was the first thing I asked the seller. I was very proud of myself for asking a bunch of questions xD

 

[Pure]

It's good for other fish as well, all mine love it.