[Sally M]

I have some shrimp and oto cats that I'd like to give veggies to. Why is it that I should blanch the veggies? All veggies? Only to make them sink?

Thanks,
Sally

 

[Sylverclaws]

Blanching makes them easier to eat as well as helps them sink. Otherwise fish or snails often lose interest in them...well, snails will likely go for them regardless, but for fish they need to be softer otherwise they can't eat them well, and also risk choking or problems from it.

 

[sandybottom]

certain veggies will get the same effect from freezing them,like zucchini or romaine.i cut my zucchini into medallions and freeze.i take them out as needed and thaw in a small cup of water.

 

[Sylverclaws]

I do that with my cucumber, Sally. :3 Sometimes I'll put it in a small amount of water on a plate and put it in the microwave for fifteen-twenty seconds or so, that usually makes it NICE and squishy(extra squishy ;D) once it cools off. I just started doing it that way recently, and since I did my fry looove it, so do my snails. So much easier for them to eat.

Make foods so the fish can eat it without too much fighting with it and you can open them up to eating more good food that they should have in their diets.

 

[Sally M]

Thanks for the info. I put a cucumber slice in tanks last night and the mystery snails ate the whole inside. Those were "unsoftened". I'll try some softened stuff for the otos.