Loaches Online Forum

Hi everyone,
I have been reading the past posts to learn as much as possible about my clown loaches. I just read a recent reply from NancyD to another new member on how to get them interested in veggies. I have tried all the tricks she suggested, using garlic, sticking a vege tab in the squash...I have tried spinach leaf, zucchini, peas(froz, blanched and de-shelled), yellow squash , all blanched and weighted with plastic clip, but they don't touch any of it. I had to start my plec this way and he picked up on it quickly. I had assumed it would work for the clowns too

It should be noted that they have been eating the flake food which falls to the bottom, vege tabs and shrimp pellets. They are the new guys in the tank.

Does anyone have any other ideas? I keep a good variety of veggies on hand and would love to see the clowns enjoying them too .
Hope to hear some ideas!
Thanks, Cider

tank54g corner
water all good
increased wc 's to 20% 3xweekly
tank buddies-common plec, a few guppies and platys

I also tried the garlic technique last night on some chunks of zucchini - there are a few bite marks, but not many. I don't think it helps that most fish stores feed them flakes and pellets only, but it might be useful to ask them what your fish used to be fed? I used to have a very haughty Betta who refused even flakes until he'd been fed some brine shrimp!

I did ask the store manager. He said he had been giving them high quality flakes, shrimp, and snails. He quarrantined a few for me for a few weeks as my q-tank is chugging along ,but not ready yet and said he dropped a handful of snails in the tank the previous night and all gone in am.

They seem to be ok and are coming out to eat and scavenge , but they completely ignore the choices of yummy veggies I offer. I leave the veggies in for about 8 hrs , tops, cuz I don't want water probs , but that is enough time for them to get interested and they are not -yet. I am hoping I can get some ideas here ? thanks too .
cider

Drop the vegies in after a day of fasting

Also try feeding at early morning or later at night

With a new food it sometimes takes 3 or 4 feedings before they really take to it. My loaches have been that way with most vegetables, with the homemade frozen food, and with most new dry foods that I try. After they have seen it a few times then they start going for it more aggressively. So don't give up. Mine like cucumber and broccoli best.

I don't even blanch the veggies. I stick them on a fork or kabob and drop them it in the tank.

many thanks everyone , for the great tips! It seems this is a gradual thing and I will persevere --they WILL eat their veggies ..in their own time as it looks and I will just keep putting the veggies in for them. And yeah, waiting a day of fasting or light feeding ,,,sounds like a plan!
Glad you guys are willing to help/advise us new clown keepers.