How to Feed Pleco Fry

The pleco is one of the most fascinating, and most useful, residents of any aquarium. These armor plated fish are known for spending hours attached to the sides of the tank, where they help to remove algae and other debris. Breeding plecos and raising pleco fry can be challenging, but it can also be quite rewarding.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium
  • Liquid fry food
  • Algae tablets
  • Green beans
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the other residents of the tank if you have not done so already. The other fish in the tank will harass the pleco fry and compete with them for food. The adult plecos can be left in the tank with the fry--the male pleco takes care of the eggs after they hatch.

    • 2

      Use a liquid fry food to feed the newborn plecos. Follow the feeding instructions on the package to avoid feeding too much or too little.

    • 3

      Place algae tablets into the water and let them dissolve. The fry can eat this dissolved algae as they grow.

    • 4

      Cut fresh green beans into the smallest pieces you can and place them in the aquarium. As the fry grow they can eat this plant matter.Using a chopper or a blender to get the pieces as small as possible is recommended.

    • 5

      Change 20 percent of the water in the pleco tank on a weekly basis. Water quality is critical to the growing fry, and changing the water on a regular basis is the best way to maintain good water quality. Drain 20 percent of the water with a siphon, being careful not to suck up any of the pleco fry. Slowly add fresh, dechlorinated water back into the tank until it is full.