How can I tell if they're eating?

[rphox2003]

I had 5 Ls in a fairly new tank up until last month. I had to go abroad for 3 weeks and only one was still alive by the time I got back. By the color of the water when I vacuumed the gravel, I think my daughter may have overfed them.

Anyway, after a good cleaning, I still have my L190 and bought an L081 about two weeks ago. I feed 1/2 Hikari algae wafer in the morning and two Aqueon shrimp pellets at night. The tank is in a dark room and, using a flashlight, I can see the L190 go after the food right after I turn off the lights. He seems to prefer the shrimp more than the algae.

But I've yet to see the L081 eat.

1. How can I know if it's getting enough food?
2. How do I know that I'm feeding them enough?

Thanks.

 

[Lornek8]

Thouh not easy the easiest method is to simply observe their body shape. A healthy plectrum will generally look well proportioned and not skinny or emanciated. A sunken belly is a sure sign of a problem. Also if you can see it making poo that's a sure sign it's eating.

As an aside. You need to be careful with the diet you provide your places. You've currently have two place with somewhat incompatible diets. The L190 is a herbivores, which should eat primarily wood and veggie matter. The L81 is more of anomnivore that appreciates a bit more meaty foods. If the L190 gets too much animal provirus (like shrimp) it could cause digestive distress and bloating. You should feed less shrimp pellets,likemaybe once per week, less algae wafers (depending on brand can still have lots of animal protiens) and more veggies.

 

[rphox2003]

Thanks, Lornek8.

I've seen from other posts that most leave the veg in the tank for up to 12 hours. But how many times a week should I give it to them?

BTW, I do have a nice big piece of driftwood in the tank for them.

 

[Lornek8]

5 or 6 days per week. Then one or two days with algae wafers or shrimp pellets.

Only the L190 actually eats wood. The L081 might graze over it but its after the biofilm on the wood more than the wood.