Rubber lips

Question
Hello yet again. I am kind of irritated because the "driftwood" I ordered wasn't really wood, but otherwise my tanks are doing okay. My little regular pleco in my baby tank eats whatever veggie I put in there now, but my rubber lip pleco in my adult tank wont eat anything I try. I tried putting rocks in tank water outside, but aparently my tank water is too clean to grow natural algae. I did treat my little regular pleco for an internal parasite he most likely had because of the "white poo," but hes doing just fine now. Could the rubber lip pleco not be eating because there is no driftwood? I really dont know how she is still alive because she doesnt eat anything. The algae wafers I used to put in there were most likely eaten by my greedy little glofish, who always manage to find and pick at them. I tried cucumber, yellow squash, and zukini (sp) with no luck what-so-ever. I smothered them with garlic (rubbed the clove on it until it smelled like it) and she doesnt seem to care. My other little man pigs out on anything now, which is cute, but I dont know what to do with her. Is there something special I should get just for her? What can I do?

Answer
Hi Kelley,

Don't give up on the rocks. As long as there's bright sunlight, algae WILL grow. If the water's too cold outside, you can put it inside, and grow them near a window. Algae should grow in 2-4 weeks. The 'slimy' surface of the rocks is the beginnings of algae.

What do you mean when the wood wasn't wood? Did you order it online, or from a store? I'm kind of confused there...

Anyways, your rubber-lip Pleco is obviously getting enough to eat from the algae already in your fish tank. Remember, there are micro-organisms in the tank that grow on plant leaves, glass sides, etc, which your Pleco will consume. Also note that they often feed at night, so dropping in an algae wafer or algae rock before bedtime would be best. Feed the veggies at night too, and see if that helps. (After you turn off the light)

Good Luck, and I hope your fish do well!