Is adding a cucumber to your aquarium beneficial or not?

[TwinTankman]

I don't use cucumber due to its low nutritional value, instead opting for a pre-cut and frozen method using wax paper. When I'm ready to feed, I nuke the slices on defrost and then drop them into cold water - if it sinks shortly after, it's good to go; if not, I give it another round in the microwave. I prefer this self-sinking method over attaching or spearing the veggies, although I do have veggie clips on hand.

One amusing sight was watching a Montezuma sword swim through a ring of skin that was all that remained of a veggie slice.

Repashy offers some great alternatives, including Soilent Green, which I use, and another product called Igapo Explorer. This food was formulated by Dr. Stephan Tanner of Swiss Tropicals and boasts an impressive ingredient list: "Our formula for all Rainforest Species. Contains Invertebrates, Nuts, Fruits, Seeds, Legumes, Herbs and Greens."

The ingredients include Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal, Krill Meal, Banana Powder, Squid Meal, Mango Powder, Pea Flour, Mulberry Fruit Powder, Dandelion Powder, Seaweed Flour, Almond Flour, Coconut Flour, Ground Flax Seed, Alfalfa Meal, Locust Bean Gum, Citric Acid, Lecithin, Stinging Nettle, Garlic, Ginger, Cinnamon, Phaffia Yeast, Dried Watermelon, Rosehips, Hibiscus Flower, Marigold Flower, Calendula Flower, Paprika, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Calcium Propionate and Potassium Sorbate (as preservatives), Magnesium Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Manganese Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Copper Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate. Vitamins: (Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Calcium L-Ascorbyl-2-Monophosphate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Beta Carotene, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex).

The guaranteed analysis is: Crude Protein min. 30%, Crude Fat min. 8%, Crude Fiber max. 5%, Moisture max. 8%, Ash max. 10%.

My Clown Loaches go wild for this stuff, shredding it before it even reaches the bottom of the tank. My plecos are also big fans.

[darnasuspect]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I gave it a try tonight and also used the cutlery trick to weigh it down. The two plecos I got it for are completely uninterested, one's just lurking in the background of the picture I've attached. But my livebearers and female fighters are absolutely fascinated by it.

[WildFins]

I think it's great that you're considering supplementing your fish's diet with fresh veggies. It's essentially the aquatic equivalent of feeding live or frozen foods to predatory or omnivorous fish - a nice change of pace from the usual processed fare. I'm a firm believer that a varied diet is beneficial for all animals, and I'm sure your fish will appreciate the extra nutrients and stimulation.

[WildFins]

Thanks for the advice folks, gave it a try tonight and used the cutlery trick to weigh it down. The two plecos I was hoping to entice are completely ignoring it, one's hiding in the background of the pic I attached. But my live bearers and female fighters are totally fascinated by the cucumber.