Blanching Zucchini For Fish? All Answers

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Can you feed raw zucchini to fish?

If you’re just looking to get your feet wet with vegetables, one of the most widely accepted vegetables is zucchini. These are especially appreciated by live-bearers, but nearly any fish that eats plants or algae in the wild will accept these. Just slice them up into medallions, blanch and then feed them to your fish.

How long do you blanch zucchini?

Blanch the zucchini by first filling a large pot about 2/3 full with water. Bring the water to a full boil and toss in the zucchini. Let the zucchini cook for just one minute. Side note, do not add any salt as this will cause it to become mushy before freezing!

Tips for Preparing Zucchini

Home » Recipes » Ingredients » Zucchini » How to freeze zucchini

How to freeze zucchini

If you have an abundance of zucchini in your garden, don’t let them go to waste. Freeze it! Today I show you how to freeze zucchini so you can enjoy them all year round.

Zucchini is one of my favorite ingredients because the recipe variations are endless. You can bake it in bread, spiralize it into pasta, sauté it as a side dish, or stuff it. It’s incredibly versatile. Do you see why I’m such a fan?

Zucchini is a great low-carb, hydrating vegetable that’s perfect for light summer meals. But if you grow it in your garden, you know that sometimes you get more than you can eat. And of course you don’t want it to go to waste.

Then you should freeze it! Let me show you how easy it is.

How to freeze zucchini

First, think about how you might use the zucchini in the future. I cut the zucchini, which is perfect for soups, casseroles, sauces and smoothies. If you plan to make zucchini bread or any other baked item, consider grating rather than slicing (and steaming rather than blanching).

Do you want to see how I freeze zucchini? Watch the video below!

Here is the step-by-step freezing guide:

Thoroughly wash the outside of the zucchini to remove dirt and debris. Prepare and trim the zucchini by washing and slicing into 1/4 inch thick slices. Blanch the zucchini to deactivate the enzymes that keep them from discoloring and becoming mushy. Do this by placing the zucchini in a saucepan of boiling water for a minute. Side note, don’t add salt! Then, use a slotted spoon or slotted spoon to place the zucchini in an ice water bath. Make an ice water bath by filling a large bowl with water and ice and letting the zucchini sit in the bath for about 2 minutes. Drain the zucchini from the ice water bath and gently pat the zucchini with a paper towel to pat dry. Pre-freeze the zucchini by lining the slices on a baking sheet with a baking sheet. Place in the freezer for 1-2 hours or until frozen. This will ensure that you don’t end up with a large clump of frozen zucchini. Pack your zucchini in freezer bags and store them for up to a year! I like to use Stasher Bags, but you can use any freezer safe storage container.

Use frozen zucchini

Since zucchini is 95% water, it can become quite soft after freezing and thawing. A small puddle of water may surround it. Therefore, it is best used in soups, casseroles, sauces and smoothies.

In fact, it’s a great way to sneak more veggies into a smoothie (it practically goes undetected!). This is what I make most with it, and it’s a great alternative to bananas for a low-sugar smoothie.

I wouldn’t recommend it as a standalone side dish or in salads or stir-fries as it’s too watery.

More zucchini recipes to enjoy

You can’t go wrong with these delicious zucchini recipes!

Want to learn about another great veg to freeze? Cauliflower. You can follow a similar process to freeze cauliflower.

How often should I feed my pleco zucchini?

One to two times per week, feed your Pleco pieces of cucumber, zucchini, or lettuce (not iceberg).

Tips for Preparing Zucchini

“Pleco” is the name commonly used to refer to a variety of catfish that have armor-like plates and sucker mouths. These freshwater catfish are known to be algae eaters, bottom feeders, and scavengers that will eat almost anything, making them a helpful addition to an aquarium.

Coming from Central and South America, there are countless species of plecos/catfish. The most popular pet species are the suckermouth catfish (Hypostomus plecostomus) and the bristlenose catfish (Ancistrus dolichopterus).

With proper care, Plecos can live up to 20 years and sometimes longer!

The aquarium

Plecos are sold quite small in pet stores, so most people are unaware that they grow to 1 to 2 feet in length. As your Pleco grows larger, be prepared to house it in a 50-100 gallon aquarium. An older, larger Pleco may need a tank size closer to 150-200 gallons. Although Plecos can be kept with a variety of fish, they are very territorial towards their own kind. As such, it’s best to play it safe and keep only one Pleco per tank.

Even with a large tank, it’s important not to overfill your Pleco. Fish should have enough space in the tank to have their own territories. This will help avoid negative interactions. Avoid harboring your Pleco with shallow fish as it can do damage with its maw.

Plecos can scratch an acrylic tank with their mouths, so your Pleco should be housed in a glass tank with reliable water parameters and proper filtration. Accustomed to living in flowing water, Plecos will not thrive in water that lacks circulation and current.

Finally, Plecos are agile jumpers. Be sure to purchase a secure fitting cap for your tank.

decoration/habitat

A habitat is an important aspect of pet care for any animal, and it’s no different with Plecos. An infertile tank will stress your fish and make them timid and bored. Plecos need hiding spots throughout the tank where they can hang out during the day because they are nocturnal. Hides can be created using all types of aquarium decorations such as caves, tunnels, dark pipes, wood and artificial plants.

Substrate, such as pebbles or gravel, is a must for plecos as they spend much of their time combing through sediment and debris in search of food. Wood should be included in your habitat for your Pleco to chew on. Many freshwater hobbyists say that wood helps balance the pH in the tank.

Choose hardy, fast-growing live plants, as plecos have been known to uproot or eat them. Bury the roots deep and safe in your substrate. Artificial plants are safer for your wallet.

Stable water quality, temperature and pH levels are crucial for the health of your fish. You will need to purchase a freshwater test kit and ensure your tank is at a stable temperature (72-82°F) and pH (6.5-7.5) before adding any fish.

Every day

Check the water temperature and the filter

Turn the light on in the morning and off every night

Feed your Pleco every 1-2 days

Weekly

Check the water quality and pH with a freshwater test kit

Feed your Pleco vegetables 1-2 times a week

Monthly

Depending on the size of your tank, you should change 15-20% of the water 1-2 times a month (the smaller the tank or less filtration, the more frequently you need to change water). Here is more detailed information on freshwater tank care and water changes.

Water Temperature: 72-82 degrees F

pH: 6.5 and 7.5

Plecos prefer semi-soft water (not too soft as this can cause a pH crash)

Plecos prefer highly oxygenated water with strong currents and filtration

Because Plecos are nocturnal, the best time to feed them is just before you turn off the lights at night. This is the best way to avoid other fish eating the Pleco’s food.

While plecos will eat detritus and algae, they still need a dietary supplement. Feed your Pleco Pleco-specific food every day or every other day. Feed your Pleco chunks of cucumber, zucchini, or lettuce (not an iceberg) once or twice a week.

Heating & Lighting

It is important to the health of your Pleco that you mimic natural sunrise and sunset. Turn your aquarium lights on every morning and off every night, or buy a light timer that will manage this for you.

While Plecos are unlikely to come out during the day, you can increase the chance of seeing them during the day by dimming the aquarium lights in the morning or evening, or by adding floating plants that will block some of the light.

The temperature in the aquarium should be maintained between 72 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit at all times.

Shopping List

Signs of a healthy Pleco

Strong appetite

Clear eyes

Stays on or near the bottom of the tank or the side of the aquarium and decorations

cloudy eyes

fraying fins

color loss

difficulty breathing

spots on the body

Feeding during the day – more than occasionally

Common health issues are Cloudy Eye and Me. Improving water quality is often an appropriate solution for Cloudy Eye. For Ich, you must quarantine your Pleco immediately and use a medicated solution for about two to three weeks.

This overview is intended to be a simple guide to maintaining Pleco. For more information or advice on health issues, please consult a fish expert, your veterinarian, or additional resources online.

Can you feed raw zucchini to pleco?

It makes feeding your plecos and other aquarium fish a varied healthy diet quick and easy. Just screw a piece of fresh shrimp, zucchini or any vegetable and place it in your tank.

Tips for Preparing Zucchini

About the Pleco Feeder

The Pleco Feeder was born out of a need to feed my Plecos more easily. I got tired of tying a piece of zucchini to a rock and then wetting my arm and covering it in duckweed when I put it in the tank and again when I had to take it out. I started thinking there must be an easier way.

After several iterations and many design changes, the Pleco Feeder was born. Constructed of 316 stainless steel and food grade silicone rubber, it offers a lifetime of durability. It makes feeding your plecos and other aquarium fish a varied, healthy diet quick and easy. Just screw a piece of fresh shrimp, zucchini or any other vegetable and put it in your aquarium. A healthy fish is a happy fish.

Your Plecos and other fish will eat this new fresh food and will quickly find that they are getting a tasty treat when you place The Pleco Feeder in the aquarium. It is possible that your fish will not eat the food you gave them from The Pleco Feeder. This happens when the fish have not been exposed to the food you offer them.

I had a group of adult farlowella that I recently bought. They’re vegetarian so I offered them romaine lettuce, no luck. Tried zucchini three times, no interest. This was frustrating because they ate the catfish pellets I offered them. So I cut off a piece of zucchini and impregnated it with the catfish pellets they ate. It did! The farolowellas went to eat the pellets off the zucchini and had some zucchini with them. Now I can put the courgettes in the tank and the fish recognize them as tasty food.

Start feeding your fish a healthier diet today. With the Pleco Feeder you can feed nutritious food quickly and easily.

How long can you leave zucchini in fish tank?

I keep Zucchini max 12 hours in my tanks, after this time they get slimey, and I fear about my water quality. Cucumber can stay for 24 hours in the water. i leave mine in for up to 48 hours after that it starts to come apart. rarely does it make it to the full 48 hours before it’s completely gone though.

Tips for Preparing Zucchini

View Full Version : Zucchini – How long in the tank?

Spudbuds I put zucchini in my tank for the first time yesterday to give the otocinclus something else to eat. The other fish love it too.

My question is how long should I leave it in the tank? I assume that at some point it will become uncomfortable to look at. Are there any downsides to leaving it in too long other than making a mess when it falls apart?

Many Thanks,

– Invoice

Arkie, when I put in vegetables for my catfish, I put them in at night, and then the next night, when it’s not all eaten (but usually with a sailfin catfish and five bristleheads), I remove it. As you know, if you leave it in for too long, it will fall apart and float around in the tank, rotting and fouling the water. my plecos also love cucumber, pumpkin and watermelon.

P.S. most of my other fish eat it too, I’ve even seen my albino Oscar chase the plecos off the cucumber!!!!

2manyfish Yes about 24 hours is right but like Arkie it never lasts that long in my tanks!

nanaglen2001 I keep zucchini in my tank for a maximum of 12 hours, after which they get slimy and I’m worried about my water quality.

Cucumber can stay in the water for 24 hours.

Sergo I leave mine in for up to 48 hours after which it starts to fall apart. however, it rarely makes it the full 48 hours before completely gone. I keep mine frozen and thaw them before putting them in. It ends up being a bit softer for the fish when you freeze it.

Cucumbers, on the other hand, shouldn’t be left in the tank for long and shouldn’t freeze or they’ll fall apart quickly (found out the hard way). I don’t know how long exactly because my fish won’t eat it

Algenco my otos don’t touch it for 24 hours, after that it softens and they attack!

spudbuds yes, it took my otos a day before even approaching him. I don’t know if it wasn’t soft enough or if it was just something new for her. Now only one of them is around all the time, but he was the skinny one, so that’s what I wanted.

It’s been a few days so it sounds like it’s ready to come out. I put way too big a piece in it so I would have been shocked if they ate it all.

Thank you for the information.

– Invoice

Sergo, if you freeze it first, thaw it and then put it in, it will be much softer than freshly cut and your fish will be able to eat it faster. They can’t get a hold of it when it’s freshly cut and they lose interest as a result.

Zackisch Is it important to cook the zucchini?

2manyfish I’ve never had the problem of a fish not being able to eat the veg as I give it to plecos who have no problem with that.

It sounds like if you have otos you should soften it up a bit and freezing will do it. The added bonus is that the frozen food stays usable for quite a while. If you don’t want to freeze, you can always blanch the vegetables first (boiling water for a very short period of time like 30 seconds). But of course you have to do this every time. At least when freezing, you can pre-cut the veggies and just freeze the whole thing. Then simply place the piece of frozen vegetable in a small cup of aquarium water and let it thaw before giving to your fish!

digital3 Out with it before it gets “furry”! :hmm3grin2orange:

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How do you feed an algae eater zucchini?

Zucchini for freshwater aquarium scavengers

Place it in the aquarium somewhere your algae eater will find it quickly. To give your fish the maximum amount of time to enjoy their algae eater food supplement, leave the zucchini in the tank for at least one day but no longer than two days otherwise it will rot.

Tips for Preparing Zucchini

Many aquarium enthusiasts add algae eaters like Plecos to their aquariums to control algae growth. Plecos or Plecostomus include several types of aquarium catfish species. Algae eaters are scavengers in the freshwater aquarium and actually need a more varied diet to survive.

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Algae eaters also need other foods. Credit: Pavliha/iStock/GettyImages

video of the day

While algae eaters primarily feed on algae and decaying plant matter, they require a plant-based dietary supplement to stay healthy. In addition to algae eater food such as spirulina flakes or algae waffles, offer your algae eaters fresh, cooked or blanched vegetables from time to time. Cut veggies into small pieces, and you can even mix veggies together to create a salad that catfish will love.

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Zucchini for scavengers in freshwater aquarium

Many algae eaters, particularly the oto catfish, enjoy the occasional slice of zucchini. Before adding the zucchini to the tank, briefly blanch them in hot water to soften the vegetables and remove any germs or dirt. Submerge the zucchini piece in the tank after it has completely cooled.

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Place it in the aquarium so that your algae eater can find it quickly. To give your fish the maximum amount of time to enjoy their algae eater supplement, leave the zucchini in the tank for at least a day, but no more than two days or they will rot.

Lettuce as algae eater food

Many species of fish, not just algae eaters, enjoy the addition of lettuce to their diet. Lettuce is a fairly inexpensive vegetable, and most grocery stores sell several varieties. However, keep in mind that some varieties, such as iceberg lettuce, contain fewer nutrients than romaine lettuce or green leaf lettuce.

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Briefly blanch the lettuce before inserting and secure with a vegetable clip. Remember that plecos are bottom eaters, so weigh the lettuce branch down with something so it can rest on the bottom of the tank where algae eaters can get to it.

Broccoli for aquarium catfish

Cooked broccoli is a favorite of many algae eaters, especially the common catfish. Prepare fresh broccoli by cooking it until tender but not mushy, then strain and let cool completely. Slice the stalks of broccoli and let them sink into the tank for your algae eaters to enjoy.

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You can use the tops of the broccoli if you like, but this can be messy because the tops of the broccoli break apart easily after cooking. Never feed or eat yellow broccoli florets as this vegetable is poisonous after flowering.

Green peas and beans for fish

Not only are green peas a great vegetable to add to your algae eater’s diet, they can also help regulate the digestion of your other fish. Goldfish in particular can benefit greatly from the fiber in green peas. Before serving peas to your fish, boil them in water and let them cool.

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If you use snow peas, you will need to split them up after cooking and add them to the tank. Similarly, green beans need to be cooked, cooled, and then divided before adding them to the tank. If you use snails as algae eaters, green beans are a good vegetable choice. Snails love green beans.

Do catfish eat zucchini?

There are numerous veggies that make an excellent and appreciated food source. This is an area wherein you can experiment to find your catfishes’ tastes. A good place to start is with zucchini (or other squashes). These can be washed and then sliced (long- or cross-way, your choice) and offered to the fish.

Tips for Preparing Zucchini

Feeding Green: A concept for all catfish

Author: Lee Finley

It should come as no surprise that catfish feeding strategies are as diverse as the species themselves. A recognized catfish expert explains why all catfish still benefit from some greens in their diet and offers tips on how to get them to eat it.

Catfish and aquarium feeding

Time flies. It seems only a short time ago that I sat at the same desk writing an article for the 50th anniversary issue of this magazine. Now the 60th anniversary has come. Ten years ago I gave an overview of 50 years of the magazine. Although a lot has happened to the magazine in the last 10 years, it felt best to take a different path this time. To that end, I present a combination of two of my favorite topics: catfish and their aquarium diet.

The feeding of aquarium catfish, or any fish for that matter, has changed immensely in many ways since this magazine first appeared in late 1952. Commercial fish food formulas have been greatly improved and both owner and pet have benefited. But what goes around comes around, and many hobbyists are rediscovering some of the good things about fish feeding from the 1950’s and later (more live food, custom blended homemade fish food, etc.). That’s not to say that many, if not most, of the – how shall I put it – more mature fish farmers have ever given up their “older” habits. They have carried on with these and adopted (and adapted) some of the newer aspects of their charges’ diets.

Plecos and other vegetarian catfish

Loricariids have been at the peak of their popularity for a number of years and it seems only to be peaking. For many years (decades actually) they were basically the cleaning crew and were apparently tolerated for their seaweed eating habits. Also appreciated was their detritus-eating character (which uses much of the mulm that can accumulate on the bottom of a tank that receives less than reasonable maintenance) for sustenance. But there was always a small group of aquarists who valued them more for who they were than what they did.

The times have changed; Loricariids are now one of the hottest groups of catfish and are valued equally by die-hard catfish fans and general aquarists alike. Do you think the zebra catfish (Hypancistrus zebra) and the ever-growing list of similarly beautiful catfish have anything to do with it?

A varied palate

First of all, it must be noted that not all loricariids are primarily vegetarian catfish. The H. zebra mentioned above has shown in the wild and in captivity to have a preference for meatier foods. Although algae and detritus are eaten in the wild, this species also feeds on bryozoans (mossy animals), non-shrimp crustaceans, and insect larvae (bloodworms).

Scobinancistrus spp. diet

Other plecos are also more carnivorous: Scobinancistrus spp. are, at least in the minimal literature available, apparently entirely carnivorous, although their main prey (mussels and possibly snails) would provide some green material that they included in the dietary profile of these species.

Loricaria spp. diet

Other plecos, such as some Loricaria spp. and some other genera also have a heavy diet, at least seasonally (or based on diet in the environment), on fleshy foods such as various insect larvae, mollusks, and sponges. This situation needs to be kept in mind and researched if you are considering adopting a new species from this large family of catfish.

Commercial Diets

Overall, loricariids adapt very well to commercial captive diets, and generally these should consist of foods with a higher proportion of plant matter. Such foods also provide animal material to round out the nutritional profile. Most commercial foods tend to use spirulina as their primary plant base. This is actually a cyanobacterium, but that’s another story. Despite this, it is a wonderfully healthy food source for both fish and humans. Although the name Spirulina is commonly used, the most commonly grown species belong to the Arthrospira genus. But the name Spirulina remains in common use, and likely will continue to be for some time. Chlorella algae (unicellular microalgae) are also being used more and more, which is a promising development.

Additionally, some formulas use different types of vegetables that you might find at your dinner table. At least a few of these foods are said to contain the following ingredients (in addition to spirulina): carrots, celery, beets, parsley, lettuce, and spinach. Wow! Sounds like my dinner. Of course, these foods contain many additional elements, including vitamins and minerals, to round out their nutritional profile. Many of these commercial foods come in a variety of formats – flakes, discs, sticks – so you can choose what suits the needs of your particular catfish.

algae

But when using the above items, don’t overlook using the real things. Algae come first. As mentioned above, algae is a staple food for many Loricariidae. Providing these catfish with live algae is a goal worth striving for; It gives the fish a more natural experience as they can graze the food like they normally would in the wild. But as anyone who has kept even a single bush-nosed catfish (Ancistrus spp.) can attest, these fish are very determined. Few natural algae growing in the tank are left behind.

The feeding platform method

The best way to fix this is to grow algae elsewhere and bring them into the tank with the target species. This can be done through the feeding platform method. They take a suitable platform (a rock, a piece of driftwood, a flower pot, etc.) and, in the absence of fish feeding on algae, let it develop a beautiful green growth. This platform can then be moved into a tank with your plecos and they will be treated to a lively green treat. Such platforms can be removed from other aquariums where algae may be growing. Such a tank could even be set up for this specific purpose, with numerous platforms that can be used in rotation. However, make sure there are no health issues with trapped fish that may be transported with them.

Algae growth outdoors

This can also be done outdoors (at least for the warmer seasons in more northerly latitudes). I use styrofoam fish boxes filled with multiple platforms to ensure they get full sun. Although algae will grow there easily, I usually inoculate such tanks with an initial dose of algae from a tank or tanks in the fish room. Such a setup of two or three boxes can provide a large amount of live algae for food. I will note that my wife, Aline, was less than amused at the use of our patio, but eventually warmed to it. If you want to be specific with your algae type (e.g. chlorella) you can purchase starter culture units, although these will end up having to compete with Mother Nature’s choice of greens.

vegetables

Feeding real vegetables, as mentioned above in some commercial feeds, is a tried and tested way to provide loricariids and many other catfish with a green diet. There are numerous types of vegetables that provide an excellent and valued source of food. This is an area where you can experiment to find your catfish’s taste.

zucchini

A good place to start is with zucchini (or other squash). These can be washed and then sliced ​​(longitudinally or transversely as you choose) and offered to the fish. Opinions differ as to whether such food should be served raw or lightly cooked (in boiling water for about a minute). I prefer the cooked method. Firstly, such products sink easily and do not need to be tied down. Second, research has shown that lightly cooking zucchini makes more nutrients available by initiating the breakdown of cell walls. Note: With zucchini, make sure that your catfish eats the skin – this is where most of the vitamin A is found. This sometimes takes a little practice, as the softer center is often eaten and the fish then moves on. If you leave the skins in the tank and hold back other foods a bit, they’ll take it. If using cross-cut rounds, also cut open the skin in one spot so that there isn’t a ring of skin left. These can be a problem and I’ve seen plecos get caught in them and die.

other vegetables

From zucchini, let your imagination run wild and try a variety of vegetables. The FDA publishes nutritional tables for vegetables, and these can be a good guide to help you choose a good mix. Among other things, I like canned (or frozen) green beans. I have most often used French cut species as a permanent food for baby loricariids. The French style is good in that it exposes large areas of the softer pulp that the young fish initially feed on.

Whatever approach you take with vegetables, and if you’re making your own light cooking, you can take the end product, freeze it on baking sheets, and then store it in airtight containers in the freezer. Then just take what you need and add it to the tank(s).

Meaty Supplements

As a final thought, it should be noted that even most algae eaters of grazing plecos regularly eat small amounts of meaty food. These can include insect larvae, small crustaceans, etc. So, in addition to commercially available foods, seaweed and vegetables in small amounts, regularly add foods like frozen or freeze-dried artemia, mosquito larvae, small krill, etc. for that extra flavor and nutritional value. You can offer it right next to the other foods or as a separate treat.

Other herbivorous cats

Three genera of the African catfish family Mochokidae (Atopochilus, Euchilichthys and Atopodontis – the latter has never been imported to my knowledge) are basically ecological equivalents of many Loricariidae and have similar diets. Even visually there is at least enough resemblance that they were sometimes sold as “African Plecos”, a name I clearly dislike, but that’s another story for another time.

predatory catfish

There are many catfish popular in aquariums that are generally considered to be a fish-eating group, but you can go beyond that in principle. This dietary classification is not necessarily correct, as other foods such as shrimp, crabs, molluscs, etc. may also be consumed depending on the environment and/or the season. Many of these predatory catfish are also known to eat a variety of fruits, again depending on seasonal availability. The South American red-tailed catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus) is one such animal and its diet of such items is well documented. This work has also shown that they pass on the seeds of such fruits, which then germinate and grow under suitable conditions.

vegetable material

Even catfish that don’t specifically eat fruit often ingest plant matter in other ways. One possibility is that when prey are digested, the contents of their intestines then become food for the fish that ate them. At least some of the various prey fish for a variety of predatory fish are known to be vegetarians or detritus eaters. Detritus is broken down plant matter, generally with a good complement of micro and macro invertebrates. It has also been found that predatory fish may secondarily ingest plant material when hunting and capturing their prey. This is undoubtedly true, but in some cases the situation can involve more.

meat

A case in point for the latter situation is one of my favorite smaller (maximum size about 10 inches TL) predatory catfish, the Auchenipterid Ageneiosus magoi. Two dietary studies on this species indicate that it is primarily a carnivore, with fish, frogs (during the breeding season), shrimp and insect larvae making up the majority of its diet. However, these two studies showed that plant matter (plants and detritus) was present in equivalent values ​​of 1) approximately 1.4 percent by weight and 2) 8.6 percent by occurrence. These numbers do not, and indeed could not, reflect the additional percentage of plant matter contained in the gut contents of their prey.

In any case, one day I was walking around the fish room handing out small pieces of lightly cooked zucchini to a variety of tanks. As I walked past the Ageneiosus tank, which contained six individuals about 5 to 6 inches long, I said “What the heck” and threw a few pieces in. These were gobbled up as quickly as anything meatier (bloodworms, guppies) would have been. More has been added, more eaten – and I know the fish have not been deprived of any nutrients. The plant-based food then became a regular part of their diet in small amounts. Does this one example prove anything? I think it does, and it’s a point worth pondering and experimenting more with other catfish.

Feed your catfish

So for any predatory catfish you may be keeping, work on including some plant matter in their diet. When possible, direct feeding of vegetables or fruits is ideal, but if not, feed them a formula (at least partially) with a good seaweed/vegetable formula. When feeding live fish, use healthy fish and make sure you load them with a similar food before introducing them into the predator’s tank.

omnivore

Another group of predatory catfish to consider are the insectivore and mixed carnivore species. In fact, for aquarium feeding purposes, many of them might be better classified as omnivores. This basically means they eat plenty of meaty and plant-based foods. This includes many smaller and medium-sized catfish, which primarily feed on insect larvae and pupae for a living. Such a diet may also include terrestrial insects that unluckily fall into the water and other small meaty foods such as crustaceans, molluscs, etc.

looking for food

Many of these catfish can be considered speculators as they swim around ‘searching’ (by visual and tactile methods) for promising food and selectively ingest it. Such catfish include many smaller pimelodids, doradids, and species of Corydoras and Synodontis. This is often associated with the ingestion of some plant matter (higher plants and/or detritus), as with the larger catfish mentioned above. This can often make up a pretty good portion of the diet, at least seasonally.

diversity

And their prey are often life forms that earn their living from plant foods. Again, this is another good and necessary reason to make sure this group of catfish is adding some green foods to their diet. Many of these take small amounts of regular veggies, but lend themselves equally well to some of the ready meals available (flakes, slices, sticks) that have a decent veggie content. Remember that pleco food isn’t just for plecos! They make an excellent addition to the diet of any catfish that eat them – and that includes almost all of them.

These catfish also appreciate live foods as part of their diet and these can often be supplemented with a range of plant based foods. An excellent guide to coping with this dietary situation is the book Culturing Live Foods by Michael R. Hellweg (T.F.H. Publications, 2008). All aquarists should seriously consider having this book in their aquarium library.

More considerations

As a final note, there are a few issues that need to be passed on, such as an initially planned discussion of the increasing use of duckweed as an important fish food. But that’s for another time, and we’ll take it from there. Think green, feed green and eat green.

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What do you mean by blanch?

Definition of blanch

transitive verb. : to take the color out of Age had blanched his hair. : such as. a cooking : to scald or parboil in water or steam in order to remove the skin from, whiten, or stop enzymatic action in (such as food for freezing) blanch the asparagus in salted boiling water.

Tips for Preparing Zucchini

Blanch the potatoes before slicing them. a cup of blanched almonds She was blanched and kept silent when the shopkeeper accused her of taking the money.

Current examples on the web

To turn it into pesto, blanch the leaves in boiling water for a few seconds, then plunge them into a bowl of ice water. – Sally Pasley Vargas, BostonGlobe.com, June 14, 2022

Wash and slice the zucchini, then blanch in boiling water for a minute. — Mike Rose, Cleveland, April 6, 2022

Prepare the Fresh Dill Vinaigrette: Bring the water back to a boil and blanch the fresh dill in the water to preserve the light green color, about 10 seconds. – Michael A. Gardiner, San Diego Union-Tribune, June 8, 2022

These preparations bleach the normally deep burgundy tissue to a pale fleshy color that is not quite brown and not quite pink. — Brenda Goodman, CNN, May 13, 2022

Here’s how: Wash the ramps, then blanch them in boiling water for 30 seconds and place in an ice bath to stop the cooking. – Washington Post, April 19, 2022

Simply blanch the skin, boil in sugar water and dry in a bed of sugar. – Tribune News Service, Cleveland, April 12, 2022

But some advertisers and agencies may sneer at the idea that the network that makes money from the sale of advertising acts as a verification of the measurement system behind it. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, March 24, 2022

The Hornets may blanch at having to throw in a first-round pick after a few young players resign, but that’s what the Rockets will demand. — Matt Young, Chron, February 9, 2022

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How to blanch zucchini and cucumber to feed to your fish and snails. Takes 5 minutes!!

How to blanch zucchini and cucumber to feed to your fish and snails. Takes 5 minutes!!
How to blanch zucchini and cucumber to feed to your fish and snails. Takes 5 minutes!!


See some more details on the topic blanching zucchini for fish here:

How to Blanch Сucumbers and Zucchini for Shrimp, Snails …

Blanching process usually takes 1 or 3 minutes. When you notice that, the pieces of cucumber start changing the color. It is a sign that they have softened and …

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Source: aquariumbreeder.com

Date Published: 7/11/2022

View: 8262

Tips for Preparing Zucchini – Freshwater Invertebrate – FishLore

Blanching is totally unnecessary, and serves no purpose other than to soften the veg prematurely. A lot of fish prefer it before it has softened …

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Source: www.fishlore.com

Date Published: 9/19/2022

View: 627

Feeding Vegetables to Aquarium Fish

The best vegetables to blanch or steam are zucchini, squash, cucumbers (remove seeds), lima beans, peas (shell before serving), broccoli, cabbage, …

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Source: aquariumtidings.com

Date Published: 5/30/2022

View: 2412

Boiled & Blanched zucchini | The Planted Tank Forum

I would say spinach is a instant shrimp ball mosh pit, zucchini is a… … i d celery one time. the amanos and my cray fish ate it.

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Source: www.plantedtank.net

Date Published: 3/2/2021

View: 3887

Feeding fish zucchini? – AquariaCentral.com

Actually, blanching is fine…softening it and it will help it sink. Also taking the seeds out will save “fishing” them out later. However you …

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Source: www.aquariacentral.com

Date Published: 3/5/2021

View: 7402

How to Blanch Сucumbers and Zucchini for Shrimp, Snails and Fish the Right Way.

Today I will explain how to prepare a cucumber for your fish, snails and shrimp. You can actually do this with other veggies too. So if you want to provide your aquarium dwellers with something more natural in their diet, especially your snails and shrimp, things like zucchini, cucumber, lima beans, carrots, broccoli, lettuce, cabbage, etc. I will tell how to do it. It’s an excellent choice for feeding your bottom dwellers, especially those that tend to be more algae eaters. It’s easy, it’s fast and it’s cheap.

Also, I give you a table with the nutritional values ​​per 100g at the end of this article. for some products. You’ll see how rich they are in protein, vitamins, minerals, etc. Overall, it’s a great way to diversify your pets’ diet.

cleansing and exfoliation

Without further ado, let’s get started.

So we have a cucumber or zucchini. The first thing we have to do is clean it under tap water to remove dirt and possible impurities on it. Next we will peel it.

There are many articles on the internet and videos on YouTube where people don’t usually peel vegetables. In my opinion this is a mistake. An aquarium is a fragile ecosystem and there is no need to put it at risk. Unfortunately, we’ll never know what chemicals were added to or applied to the peel, either during cultivation or when storing it for stores.

For example, there have been situations where people would buy zucchini at the grocery store and put them in their tanks unpeeled. As a result, they had a massive die-off right after. That’s probably because zucchini has been treated with pesticides.

Again, there’s nothing wrong with pitching it first without peeling when you know it’s been grown without pesticides and is perfectly safe. Still, it’s easier to just peel off the shell and not worry about what’s actually on the shell and whether it’s safe or not. Safety first. In addition, the shell is the last thing snails, fish and shrimp eat. Sometimes they don’t even eat it at all.

Remove the seeds (if possible). It’s not like they’re going to cause any problems. It’s just that nobody eats them and they can wreak a bit of havoc in your aquarium.

Cut

Once we’re done cleaning and peeling, we’re going to cut it into chunks. Well, to be honest, it really doesn’t matter what kind of pieces or discs you make. I prefer medium sized slices (0.5 cm or 0.02 inch), some people make thick ones. You can do what you want for what you want to feed.

Prepare some boiling water. Actually, you can boil it while you are cleaning and chopping veggies just to save some time.

blanch

As soon as the water boils, we add the cucumber pieces and blanch them. Blanching means we soften them. This makes it easier for fish, shrimp or snails to eat them. It also lets them sink to the bottom so they don’t float on the surface of the tank.

Important: All vegetables suck out nutrients while they are in the boiling water. Our goal is to prevent this and conserve these nutrients for our pets. That is why you need to keep the pieces of cucumber in water as little as possible and no more.

The blanching process usually takes 1 or 3 minutes. If you notice this, the cucumber pieces will start to change color. It is a sign that they are soft and ready.

While cooking, take out a bowl and fill it with cold water. If possible, put some ice cubes in there.

This principle can be applied to a number of vegetables and fruits. However, you have to be careful with fruits as they contain a lot more sugar and can cloud your water.

An alternative variant of blanching. Fast.

If you don’t have time to mess with boiling water, use a microwave. 15 or 30 seconds is enough to break down the cucumber enough that it’s easy to eat.

Cooling

Prepare an ice bath (a bowl of cold water with ice). If you don’t have ice, it’s not a big problem. Just make the water cold. That’s why we put the cucumber pieces in cold water after blanching. Once in the cold water, they will begin to sink to the bottom of your bowl. This stops the cooking process immediately. After that, let them sit there for about a minute or two, let them cool completely.

Okay, you blanched the cucumber. Now you can take out the pieces.

Tip: You must leave the vegetables in the cold water until they are completely cool. If you take them out beforehand:

1. They continue to cook from the inside and get very mushy.

2. They will be floating in the tank and you need to anchor them to something else.

3. If your veggies are still floating, you can use a fork or small clamp to lower them down.

Freeze and store (optional)

It is impractical to prepare just one serving. That’s why people usually cook a few to use for two, three or more weeks in a row.

You can save it by freezing it. Then all you have to do is pull it out and throw it into the aquarium. If it’s frozen it will generally sink immediately and if it thaws the fish or shrimp will just eat it up.

Some people don’t like the idea of ​​putting frozen pieces in aquariums. Especially when they’re pretty big. So they put them in a small bowl first. Then fill it with aquarium water and let it thaw for 3-5 minutes.

A notice:

1. Use a sealed container for storage.

2. Before putting them in a container, drain the water. If you run the water into the container and freeze it, the pieces will stick together and you’ll have to shred them later.

Proper Use

How many should you put in the tank? Well, actually there are no rules here. It’s just common sense because it can depend on many factors like:

– number of fish, snails and shrimp in the aquarium,

– how hungry they are,

– What else you give them etc.

In general:

– Once or twice a week will be more than enough.

– Do not put too many pieces in at once. Don’t overfeed them.

– It is advisable to remove uneaten portions after 24 hours. Otherwise you can pollute the water in the tank.

Important

1. Don’t drop it when hot. Because it can cause a temperature change. Let it cool down for a few minutes.

2. Some blanching recipes say to add salt. I don’t add salt for a freshwater aquarium. Salt will break down the vegetables over time and make them mushy. This is very inconvenient. However, this is not even the main problem. By adding salt you risk changing your water parameters. That’s a very bad idea.

Feeding Vegetables to Aquarium Fish

Not so long ago, feeding fish was a time-consuming and difficult endeavor. Although packaged food existed, it was absolutely horrible for your fish – assuming you could get your fish to eat it at all.

Aquarists were often found out in ponds and streams collecting live food, or spent hours making homemade fish from their own secret recipe—usually a mix of meat, fish, invertebrates, and vegetables.

Of course, none of that is really necessary now that fish food has progressed so far. And while you don’t have to prepare your fish food yourself, it’s still a good idea to offer your fish vegetables on a regular basis.

The reasons for this are simple – almost all fish in the wild have some plant matter in their diet, and no matter how well prepared fish food has become, most don’t offer fish much plant matter.

If you’re adding vegetables or the occasional fruit to your fish, you need to know how to prepare and serve them to your fish. Like so much else related to aquariums, it’s not as easy as it sounds and you can’t just toss a pickle in your tank and hope for the best.

clean vegetables

Probably the most important thing to remember about vegetables is that you absolutely must clean them before feeding them to your fish. Most vegetables from the supermarket are dirty when you get them. Not only are they covered in bacteria and dirt, but they can also have some pretty nasty pesticides on their skin.

Luckily, all of these contaminants are easy to manage and can be removed with minimal effort. If the fruit or vegetable has a tough skin, you can simply clean it under cold water with a stiff brush. Make sure you reach every surface of the vegetable with the brush and rinse well afterwards.

If the vegetables are leafy or have ragged skin, consider filling a bowl with cold, clean water to rinse them. After you’ve filled the bowl, you should wash the veggies the same way you wash clothes in a tub — soak and rub gently. After washing it thoroughly, you should rinse the vegetables under running water.

Make sure you let the veggies dry completely afterward, as you don’t want to introduce chlorine into your aquarium water. If you are concerned that the vegetables may retain water, you should use rainwater or distilled water to clean them.

Preparation of the vegetables

After the vegetables have been thoroughly cleaned, you can proceed to prepare your fish. Some fruits and vegetables can be fed to fish raw, but most vegetables should be blanched before offering them to your fish.

The fruits and vegetables that can generally be served raw are bananas, plantains, pumpkins, pears, apples, carrots, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. These should all be cut into small pieces before offering them to your fish.

You will want to blanch most other vegetables for your fish. Blanching simply means bringing the vegetables to a boil in a pot and then removing them once the water has started to boil. Light steaming is also acceptable and may even be preferred for certain hard vegetables.

The best vegetables to blanch or steam are zucchini, squash, cucumbers (de-seed), lima beans, peas (peel before serving), broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, and spinach.

Make sure the vegetables are completely cool before adding them to the aquarium. Otherwise, you could hurt your fish as they try to eat the vegetables right away.

keep the aquarium clean

Even if you cut vegetables into small pieces, your fish probably won’t be able to use up the amount of vegetables you give them. To ensure that the water does not become polluted, you must remove all uneaten parts after 24 hours. If you wait longer, you risk polluting your water.

select vegetables

If you’re not sure what your fish will eat, there are a few general rules to keep in mind when choosing vegetables.

Peas are great for almost any fish and are perfect for bringing relief to a congested fish. Regular feeding of peas is almost a must for fancy goldfish, as their squashed bodies make them regularly constipated. Remember to shell the peas before feeding them to fish.

If you just want to get your feet wet with veggies, one of the most common veggies is zucchini. These are particularly appreciated by livebearers, but almost any fish that eat plants or algae in the wild will accept these. Simply cut them into medallions, blanch them, and then feed them to your fish.

When it comes to offering veggies to refined snails, leafy greens are undoubtedly a favorite. A good vegetable to start with is romaine lettuce. It’s packed with nutrients and easy to prepare for snails. Simply break off a leaf, blanch it and offer it to your snails. In most cases, it will be fully devoured by morning.

complain vegetables

Some vegetables tend to float—even after light cooking. There are several ways to deal with this, but the easiest way is to attach the veggies to a secure fish weight or buy a clip for the veggies (you can find a great clip here at Amazon.com).

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Tips for Preparing Zucchini

Thanks for the tips everyone, you were right about liking the uncooked zucchini better. It’s a relief to see them eating, they really need their calcium. Such a simple fix *duh* some of you mentioned leaving this in the tank often or always and replacing the old one with fresh zucchini frequently. I’d love to do that, but is there a way to do it without the water getting cloudy? Within 24 hours of adding zucchini to one of my tanks, the water becomes very milky. Am I not rinsing well enough beforehand? Is that normal? Or maybe I’m betting too much. I placed two large circle pieces (one green zucchini, one yellow), a few inches thick, in each 5 gallon tank/divided section. The exception to the cloudiness is my undivided 10 gallon, which is barely cloudy at all. Maybe I should put less in it, it’s not like they eat everything anyway. Sent from my SM-J320P using the Fish Lore Aquarium Fish Forum mobile app

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